Reviews

Almost, Maine

By John Cariani. Roleystone Theatre. Directed by Kristen Twynam-Perkins. Roleystone Hall, WA. May 14-22, 2021

Almost, Maine, prior to Covid, was one of the most frequently performed plays in the United States. Less often seen outside America, Roleystone Theatre’s production is the Western Australian debut. A gentle warm, little show, the action takes place at 9pm on a cold, slightly surreal winter night, in a mythical “almost” town, called Almost, in Northern Maine.

Ain’t We Got Fun

By Sue Oldknow. Blackwood Players. Blackwood Memorial Hall, SA. May 21 – June 5, 2021

The war is over, Prohibition is in full force, and no-one is quite who they seem in this comedy set in an American Speakeasy of the Roaring Twenties. Blackwood Players have gone all out to present a play loosely inspired by the 1921 song of the same name.

Co-directed by the playwright Sue Oldknow, and Michelle Maclean, it’s a light-hearted song-and-dance story of the onstage and backstage relationships between flappers new and fading, wannabe Hollywood starlets, and gangsters who are more bluff and fluff than substance.

Venus in Fur

By David Ives. Motet Creative Studios, Molendinar. Gold Coast. Director: Nathan Schulz. May 21st - 22nd, 2021. (Part of a South East Qld Tour)

This play is a journey into the world of two people with sadomasochistic desires, conveyed over nearly two hours of strong adult drama spiced with a smattering of humour.

Based on an 1870 story by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, from his novella Legacy of Cain, the atmosphere is both raunchy and bold!

Anatomy of a Suicide

By Alice Birch. Directed by Catarina Hebbard. New Benner Theatre, Metro Arts, Brisbane. 18 to 29 May, 2021

A forensic analysis of a family with a history of suicide is difficult subject matter. But at a time when mental health is foremost in our minds, Metro Arts has taken up the challenge to deal with difficult subject matter. Anatomy of a Suicide by award-winning British writer, Alice Birch, is a trio of plays in one. It deals boldly with themes of mental illness, the pressures of motherhood, post-natal depression, drug use, sexuality and suburbia by spinning three interweaving stories with three central female characters.

Blue Stockings

By Jessica Swale. Red Phoenix Theatre. Holden Street Theatres, Adelaide. May 20-29, 2021

It seems absurd to think that women needed to fight for their right to an education, but there is no fiction here, only a true story of a woman’s fight for greater learning in the late 1800s. Whilst many may say we have come a long way since then, the truth is, as the world struggles with a pandemic, that women are still battling to have their voices heard.

Every Second

By Vanessa Bates. Produced by Wit Incorporated. Directed by Emma Drysdale. Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde Street Footscray. 19 - 29 May, 2021.

Vanessa Bates' play opens up a dialogue on very sensitive issues. She has the ability to address the problems that infertility can cause in relationships with humour, sensitivity and candour. The script is taut and incisive, leaving little room to be trite or clichéd.

Jekyll & Hyde

A Slightly Isolated Dog Production. Centennial Hall, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. Directed by Leo Gene Peters. 18 – 23 May 2021 and touring

A Slightly Isolated Dog are back at The Q this week with another piece of frenetic brilliance.  The team (Leo Gene Peters, Meg Rollandi, Debbie Fish, Blair Gody and Sam Clavis) take turns at playing Mr Hyde, essentially represented by an evil wig, whose crimes become increasingly flamboyant and ridiculous, coming to a hilarious come-uppance. The casual silliness of it all belies how much skill has gone into building the show. Their physical comedy sequences are beautifully timed involving incredible co-ordination between the team and their sound operator.

Spike Heels

By Theresa Rebeck. Crashing Water Theatre Co. at Fringe HQ, Newtown, Sydney. Director: Serhat Caradee. 19 – 29 May, 2021

Spike Heels, the first full-length play by prominent American writer Theresa Rebeck, was written in 1990, and is now over 30 years old. It still has a lot to say to our confused society. ‘You guys,’ calls lead character Georgie, in her usual shouty manner, ‘for all you know, you don’t know shit!’ 

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath. Music and lyrics by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Director: Kim Reynolds. Spotlight Theatre, Benowa, Gold Coast. 14th May – 5th June, 2021.

Spotlight Theatre’s second hit musical to be staged this year, Beautiful, is a fantastic production in every sense of the word!

The story follows the life and creative genius of the incredibly talented musician Carole King.

As Carole, Gabriella Flowers gives a powerhouse performance with Todd Jesson as her lyric writing husband Gerry Goffin, and her friends and song writing rivals Cynthia Weil (Rachel Love) and Barry Mann (Bryn Jenke). The supporting cast all have their opportunity to present their various “songs” with style.

I Want To Know What Love Is

Created by The Good Room. Directed by Daniel Evans. Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Sydney. 19-22 May, 2021

When you tell people you’re off to the theatre, it’s hard not to sing the name of this play. “I Want to Know What Love Is” is just one of the many pop songs that helps bring to life a performance devised by members of the Queensland theatre collective The Good Room. They said to the public “I want you to show me”: asking for submissions about stories of love.

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