Reviews

Essgee’s Pirates of Penzance

Music: Arthur Sullivan. Libretto: W.S. Gilbert. Additional Lyrics: Melvyn Morrow. Empire Theatre Production. Director: Terence O’Connell. Musical Director: Craig Renshaw. Choreography: George Canham/Alison Vallette. Empire Theatre Toowoomba. 14-17 Mar 2018

The Pirates of Penzance has been entertaining Australian audiences for nearly one hundred and forty years ever since J.C. Williamson mounted the first production of the comic-opera in Australia in 1881, a year after its first London production. In fact it became one of the main money-streams that consolidated Williamson’s theatrical empire.

Curtains

Book by Rupert Holmes. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Beenleigh Theatre Group. March 9 – 24, 2018

You might not have heard of the musical Curtains, but you definitely know the work of its songwriters, John Kander and Fred Ebb. The duo wrote Cabaret and Chicago, as well as Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra’s shared signature song, “New York, New York”.

Unknown Neighbours

By Ranters Theatre and Creative VaQi. Theatre Works and Festival of Live Art. Theatre Works (Vic). 12 – 18 March, 2018

Site-specific work can be a bit hit and miss.  Unknown Neighbours is a hit not to be missed!  No seriously - this is a rich and rewarding collaboration between Ranters Theatre and Creative VaQi from Korea for the FOLA (Festival of Living Art).  And the season is only a few days!

Venus in Fur

By David Ives. Directed by Kirsten von Bibra. Lightning Jar Theatre. Fortyfivedownstairs, Flinders Lane, Melbourne. 9 – 24 March 2018

As the old Johnny Mercer song has it, ‘when an irresistible force such as you, meets an old immovable object like me… something’s gotta give…’  That’s not I hope to trivialise David Ives’ play, which, despite its comedy, its wordplay, its surprise reveals and reversals, and its twist on the romantic comedy form, deals with a big theme – but in a most entertaining way and – by happenstance – most timely way.  The story premise is simple: the play depicts a theatrical audition – and therefore there’s a play wi

Bombshells

By Joanne Murray-Smith. wit incorporated (VIC). Bluestone Church Art Space. Director: Sarah Clarke. Designers: Jennifer Piper & Chad O'Brien. March 9 - 24, 2018

Bombshells presents six vignettes showcasing a range of talents from two of the performers from wit incorporated.

Vignettes is undoubtedly a more appropriate word than monologues. These are slice-of-life stories, incorporating speech, song, and dance.

Bombshells opens with Belinda Campbell's hurried, hectic, harried monologue as an absurdly anxious woman struggling to meet the demands of being a mum today.

Sound & Fury's "Cyranose"

Adelaide Fringe. Tandanya's Art Café. March 2 - 18, 2018

Sound & Fury should be well known to all Adelaide Fringe-goers. After all, the American trio are practically a Fringe Institution in their own right, having reached their crystal anniversary with the festival last year.

The Velveteen Rabbit Musical Show

Adelaide Fringe. The Bally at Gluttony. March 10-12, 2018

We can all recall that one special toy which, even in adulthood, puts a smile on our face when we think of it, and The Velveteen Rabbit Musical Show is about such a toy. Based on the children’s story The Velvet Rabbit by Margery Williams, this is a musical show that tells the story of a velveteen rabbit that becomes ‘real’ through the love of a little boy.

The show is written for 4-10 year olds, but the adults who were taken on the outing clearly enjoyed the show as well.

Kings of War

By William Shakespeare adapted by Ivo van Hove. Adelaide Festival. A Toneelgroep Amsterdam Production. Directed by Ivo van Hove. Festival Theatre, Adelaide. March 10 - 13, 2018

Why would you want to watch four and a half hours of Shakespearean history plays in Dutch? Well anyone who saw The Roman Tragedies would tell you that the creative vision of Ivo van Hove married to the superb actors that make up Toneelgroep and the use of Shakespeare’s storylines and insights is a powerful combination and one not to be missed. Van Hove and Toneelgroep’s Kings of War is a re-interpretation of Shakespeare’s history plays stretching from Henry IV to Henry VII.

Cirque Africa

Adelaide Fringe Festival. Hindmarsh Square. 24th February - 3rd April, 2018

Cirque Africa’s founding father, Winston Ruddle (Papa Africa) is the first black African in the world to own, direct and produce a circus show in a big-top tent. Dressed in a colourful kaftan he strolls centre stage to wind up the crowd, his booming voice gaining everyone’s attention.

The thumping beats of drums and tribal acoustics can be felt through the floor. A company of performers dance their way into the tent with beaming smiles and infectious energy; a mean feat, given that for this matinee performance it must have been close to 40 degrees.

Bouncers

Written by John Godber. Directed by Sherri Smith and David Paterson. Presented by HeartBeast Theatre. Spring Hill Reservoir (Qld). 10 - 31 March, 2018

The latest production of the 70’s classic Bouncers is energetic, accessible and packed full of humour. The cast of four (Peter Condon as Eric, Rowan Howard as Ralph, Chris Vaag as Judd and Campbell Lindsay as Les) give it their all and have nothing left in the tank by curtain call. They work very effectively together and are clearly well-rehearsed. No one actor stands above the rest; all are well matched in skill.

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