Reviews

IMAGINE LIVE

By Jolyon James based on the book Imagine by Alison Lester. NCM & Jolyon James Productions; Co-Producer Geelong Arts Centre; Associate Producer Riverside, Parramatta. Melbourne Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio. 8-11 January 2025

Alison Lester’s book has been in print since 1989, testament to its enduring fascination. Filled with lively and charming drawings of children, animals, and the places where they live – including dinosaurs and their habitats (a sure winner with kids given their fascination with these creatures), Lester’s book has the laudable aim of stimulating children’s (and adults’ – why not?) imagination.

Hometown

Adapted by Amberly Cull and Nick Pages Oliver from a story by Shaun Tan. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. Directed by Philip Mitchell. Ellie Eaton Theatre, Gate 1, Claremont Showgrounds, WA. Jan 6-25, 2025

Hometown is an exquisitely beautiful new production from Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. Inspired by a story by Shaun Tan, this gentle play tells of a young girl living on another planet, who discovers that she is different from the loving family who raised her. She is faced with the difficult choice of remaining with those she loves or returning to the place she is from.

Converted

Book, Lyrics and Music by Vic Zerbst. Music & Additional Lyrics by Oliver John Cameron. ATYP. Directed by Hayden Tonazzi. Music Director Mark Chamberlain. Choreography Jeremy Lloyd. Rebel Theatre, Dawes Point, NSW. January 8 – 25, 2025

Conversion therapy has been banned in four states of Australia but the memories of the harm it has done is still raw. The harsher consequences of this practise are given a light touch in Converted, which is an entertaining joyous disco satire of the idea that anyone’s sexuality can be changed through outside influences.

Overall, it’s a very slick musical with wonderful characters, flashing lights, crisp dancing, lots of good jokes and thumping music.

SIX the Musical

Book, lyrics and music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane, 8 January to 9 February 2025 and touring to Auckland and Newcastle

Starting life in 2017 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX has juggernauted into the stratosphere of musical theatre history – transferring to the West End, then Broadway, and going on to win 35 international awards, including a Tony for Best Original Score (2022), and converting new devotees to the musical theatre fan base. I have no doubt of this last claim after last night’s new tour opening in Brisbane, and its packed-to-the-rafters, enthusiastic crowd. Did I say ‘enthusiastic’? I meant to say ‘fanatically exuberant’!

Antigone In The Amazon

By Sophocles, adapted by Milo Rau. Sydney Festival. Roslyn Packer Theatre. Jan 4 – 8, 2024

Brazil has a strong tradition of political theatre – hardly surprising given its long and bloody history of violence, land-grabbing and dictatorship.  After Augusta Boal’s theatre of the oppressed late last century, Swiss theatre maker Milo Rau has collaborated with an Indigenous community of landless workers and Brazilian activists to create Antigone in the Amazon. 

Little Women

By Marisha Chamberlain (based on the book by Louisa May Alcott). Exit Left. Lily Ward (Direction). Suzen Parnell (Costume). David Szoka (Lighting). The Playhouse Theatre, Hobart. 2-11 January 2025

Little Women is the second play directed by talented young director Lily Ward in the last six months. Picnic at Hanging Rock in September of 2024 was a challenging piece for all concerned. It was a moving production where skilful direction and top notch acting resulted in a high level of artistry.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

By William Shakespeare. Presented by the Australian Shakespeare Company. Directed by Glenn Elston OAM. Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn,100 Birdwood Ave, Melbourne. 21 December 2024 - 25 January 2025.

The Merry Wives of Windsor features the affable but mischievous Sir John Falstaff (Peter Houghton); a character who appears in three Shakespeare plays. This production sets the action in the early seventies where the social and sexual revolution saw more relaxed attitudes towards love, marriage, sex and romance. This is very fitting for the themes and events that take place in the very convoluted plot about seduction, affairs of the heart and questions of fidelity. The set and especially the costumes create a very cohesive look and evoke the flamboyance of the period well.

Cinderella (Cendrillon)

Composed by Jules Massenet. Libretto by Henri Cain. English Translation by Kelley Rourke. Opera Australia. Director and costume design by Laurent Pelly. Conducted by Evan Rogister. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. January 2 - March 28, 2025

This production is an excellent way to introduce young people and those new to opera to the artform, as the ninety-minute accessible performance is a chocolate box of costume and choreographic delights.

Originally staged in full at the New York Metropolitan Opera Company this version is a cutdown edition in English. A glance at the sub-titles is still required on occasions to understand all the lyrics but is made fun because of the wit of the translation, and easy to follow because the narrative is so familiar.

On a First Name Basis

By Norm Foster. Directed by Jay Shaw. KADS Town Square Theatre. WA. Nov 29 - Dec 14, 2024

Canadian playwright Norm Foster has becoming very popular in Perth during the past few years, with this play. On a First Name Basis, its second Perth season. This is a heartwarming two-hander about a mystery writer and his long-term housekeeper.

Pinocchio

By Tom Whalley. Directed by Brendan Hanson. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco WA. Dec 14-24, 2024

The last pantomime to hit Perth each year is the professional Zealous Productions version, at the Regal Theatre. Once again, it is worth the wait, and a joy to watch for audiences of all ages.

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