Reviews

With a well-known show like Rock of Ages expectations are high, but the John X Productions season in Hobart at the Theatre Royal hit the mark. With their usually high standards, under the direction of long-time theatre whizz Ingrid Ganley and with a superb cast including veterans and scintillating newcomers, John X Productions gave Hobart audiences a bang-on rock concert experience. Gangbusters! Great houses and happy smiling audiences – what more would you want, if you have taken the risk to put on a BIG show?

Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories is an amazing new show produced by Barking Gecko, with this World Premiere being very different to anything else the company has produced to date. Lavishly presented, it is a beautifully presented piece for all ages. Adapted by Dan Giovannoni and Luke Kerridge, it is based on the German children’s book Bamberts Buch der verschollenen Geschichten by Reinhardt Jung.

Until recently Tiernan held the world record for the longest solo stand up comedy show and his stamina on stage shows no sign of abating. Tiernan’s performance is like a high-octane adrenalin rush. Also known for his tendency to court controversy, his material has a no holds barred approach, touching on topics ranging form sex to global politics. Tiernan’s humour is designed to offend but this is clearly a style rather than a reflection of his worldview.

It’s a heady feeling to be at the World Premiere of a new musical - an Australian musical at that. The excitement in the foyer was palpable, and I was amongst the most excited. We theatre lovers and Musical Theatre Tragics all want to see a smash hit created here, but perhaps our expectations are too high, and our patience is wearing thin. However, even the most generous of theatre-goers may have been a little disappointed at the end result of CROSSxROADS after nearly four years in development.