Reviews

In a short, opening scene of James Elazzi’s play, Danny (Anthony Makhlouf) and Josephine (Nisrine Amine), dance as children to a tape of famed Lebanese singer and actress, Sabah. Josephine encourages Danny to “dance like Sabah” and in a “dream sequence” to the side of the stage Sabah, complete with flowing blonde hair and shimmering dress, appears briefly to him demonstrating her sinewy hip movements for him to imitate.

Two smitten lovers, one Aboriginal, the other Maori, try hard to unite their families, their cultures, behind their engagement.  

Back home in the Maori community or atop a towering Melbourne housing estate, Kane and Hera’s efforts to assimilate produces some hilarious disasters in cultural protocol.  But somehow the wedding is booked – despite possessive Mums running indigenous guilt trips, fierce racisms across the ditch, errant males and some toxic family baggage.

The setting of Geoffrey Atherden’s new play is the back room of a museum, a storage unit with many itemised boxes and a large, rolling ladder. It’s a brilliant vision for the play from Set Designer Richard Roberts, and director Wesley Enoch makes great use of the space. Enoch is also the Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival, which opened the day before, so cheers and congratulations to him. He looks pretty fit.

Another outstanding summer show from an onstage cast of almost 60 performers aged between 13 and 20.  The popularity of this 35 year old company has ensured a sold out season even before curtain up on opening night. (No mean feat selling over 3,500 tickets!)

What struck me from the outset was the precision of the 10 piece band under the skilful direction of Nikki Nuske. Each musician, including four keyboardists (this is ABBA music after all) was on the mark.’