By Jack Kearney. Sydney Fringe Festival, presented by Nevus, at Meraki Arts Bar – Meraki Mainstage. Directed by John Kearney. September 5 – 9, 2023
The Meraki Mainstage is a cute little theatre perched at the top of Sydney’s Taylor Square. To get there you have to climb stairs through another active show. But it’s worth it to see Jack Kearney’s new play, directed by his father John, about death, funerals and families carrying on.
By Cilea. freeze frame opera. Directed by Penny Shaw. Fremantle Town Hall, WA. August 31 - September 3, 2023
freeze frame opera’s latest short season is a delightful production of the rarely seen The Princess and the Showgirl, a beautifully performed, highly accessible rendition of this interesting “backstage” opera.
Based on real life events, The Princess and the Showgirl is the story of the rivalry between actress Adriana Lecouvreur and influential socialite Mrs Prince (known as the Princess) who are both in love with the same man, the dashing soldier-come-politician Maurizio.
Written and created by Richard O’Brien. 50th Anniversary Production. The Theatre, Star Casino, Gold Coast. Sept 2nd – 23rd, 2023
The fact that The Rocky Horror Show is having a 50th birthday bash is sufficient reason to see it again. But wait, there’s more (and not a free set of steak knives! and the presents are for the audience).
Written and composed by Marc Lucchesi, Sarah Nandagopan and Jayan Nandagopan. Co-Directed by Chris HF Mitchell and Guy Masterson. Sydney Spiegeltent, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney Fringe Festival. September 1 – October 1, 2023.
This production was FULL of surprises. The first is that it is a fully formed musical played by a juicy brass band, with catchy tunes with quite sophisticated and at times hysterically funny lyrics.
The actual story of The Elephant Man is only loosely followed. The original John Merrick suffered from severe deformities and was exploited by a travelling showman, and so this musical is appropriately set in the Spiegeltent. The tent splendidly evokes the Victorian era, equipped with a circular circus like stage and a cage hoisted to the roof of the big top.
By Nelle Lee, with Estee Lee. Shake & Stir Theatre Co. Brisbane Festival. Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. August 25 to September 17, 2023
Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Cremorne Theatre has transformed into a drag fairytale for Shake & Stir’s latest production, Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! Produced in association with CPL – Choice, Passion, Life and presented as part of the Brisbane Festival, this show is a unique journey that resonates with audience members from all walks of life and all abilities.
By Domenico de Clario. La Mama HQ, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton. August 31, 2023
This reading tenderly explores what could have happened if the individual visits to Lorne by Mark Twain, D. H. Lawrence and Rudyard Kipling, had happened at the same time. The men are accompanied by the women in their lives, Frieda, D. H. Lawrence’s wife, Susie, Mark Twain’s daughter, and Caroline, Rudyard Kipling’s fiancée.
Written and directed by Rebecca Fingher. Presented by Rebecca Fingher in collaboration with Lazy Yarns. Theatre Works Explosives Factory. 30 August – 9 September 2023
What of It is an in-your-face role reversal visceral confrontation with three down and dirty street chav women in search of cock before the world ends in three days. The end of the world could be true, could be rumour, could be ‘fake news’. Whatever. Big tall Daks’ (Emma Wright) first instinct is to be safe in a bunker. But then what? Bully boss leader Cory (Xanthe Blaise) figures if the world’s going to end anyway, then it’s gonna be three days living fast and hard – and anyway, their little pal Luck (Courtney Caval
Composer Wynton Marsalis. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. 31 Aug – 1 Sept, 2023
The stage of the Concert Hall is filled with sixteen members of New York’s Lincoln Center Orchestra, their brass instruments shining, surrounded by the splendid Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Above them 170 members of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs almost fill the balcony under the towering pipe organ.
Conductor Benjamin Northey stands before them, baton in hand. There is an extended expectant hush … and then the men sing “Ah Zum” …
By Agatha Christie. KADS. Directed by Peter Neaves. KADS’ Town Hall Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2023
A good murder mystery, especially one by Agatha Christie, is usually a recipe for box-office success and KADS seem to be on a winner with Witness for The Prosecution, with a capacity house on Opening Night. This play is currently enjoying a long run in London, testament to the play’s ongoing popularity.
