Reviews

Bonachela / Nankivell / Lane

Sydney Dance Company 50th Anniversary Triple Bill. Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide. August 8 – 10, 2019

Without reservation, the dancers of Sydney Dance Company are stupendous.  They are infinitely watchable, superb technicians and consummate artists.  In this program celebrating the company’s fiftieth anniversary they perform three works by three Australian choreographers: Gabrielle Nankivell, Melanie Lane and SDC’s Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, now in his tenth year at the helm.

Life of Galileo

By Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Tom Wright. Belvoir St Theatre NSW. August 3 – September 15, 2019

Tom Wright’s adaptation thrusts Brecht’s portrait of this towering if flawed hero of science into a modern world of besuited bureaucrats and miked-up security guards.  

The churchmen (except for Peter Carroll’s gloriously berobbed Pope) are largely replaced by today’s goons of fear-mongering politicians and spin doctors, dismissing “the facts of science” as dangerous ideology.  And yes, we think of climate change deniers; which thankfully Wright doesn’t overplay.   

L’Appartement

By Joanna Murray-Smith, Cremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 3 to 31 August 2019

Acclaimed playwright, Joanna Murray-Smith has premiered her new play L’Appartement at QPAC’s compact Cremorne Theatre. The production also marks her debut as director. L’Appartement is a sharp, witty and highly entertaining play that takes present-day dilemmas in domestic politics and personal ethics and watches them explode when two succinctly sketched couples collide. Weary married couple Meg and Rooster escape the Brisbane burbs to rekindle some of their spark on a romantic mini-break in the universal city of love.

Lady Beatle

Naomi Price with the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band. Written by Adam Brunes & Naomi Price. Dramaturg: Daniel Evans. The Little Red Company. Roundhouse Theatre, Kelvin Grove. 7-10 August 2019 and touring.

Brisbane’s powerhouse of song Naomi Price (Rumour Has It/Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) is back again blistering the Roundhouse stage with her Beatles tribute Lady Beatle, accompanied by her original band of musicians, the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - Mik Easterman (drums), Andrew Johnson (bass), Michael Manikus (piano), and Jason McGregor (guitars).

Amdram Is Murder

By Karen Ince. Mousetrap Theatre Redcliffe Qld. Directed by Karen Christl and Susan Harding-Smith. July 27 – August 11, 2019.

This performance was different in many ways. What we see is the Murrumba Amateur Drama Group (MAD) busily rehearsing their next play, “Weekend at Wimpole Manor”, a period murder mystery. On the surface, it seems to be a typical village theatre group but underneath, jealousies lurk and the group harbours someone capable of murder. Now for the difference. The audience sat in groups at tables – to dine and drink – and each group was given a questionnaire about what was happening.

The Ghetto Cabaret

By Galit Klas. Kadimah Yiddish Theatre. Fortyfivedownstairs. August 1 – 18, 2019.

The Ghetto Cabaret is a moving tribute to all the people who survived or perished in World War Two and a stark reminder of the resilient human spirit in troubled times. This show has been written, created and performed by Galit Klas and directed by Gary Abrahams in collaboration with Kadimah Yiddish Theatre and Kadimah Jewish Culture Centre.

Pyjama Tops

By Mawby Green and Ed Feilbert. Harbour Theatre. Directed by Tina Barker. Camelot Theatre, Mosman Park, WA. July 26 - Aug 4, 2019

Harbour Theatre’s Pyjama Tops, based on Jean de Letraz’s 1950 French farce “Mou Mou” was a sexy, old-school farce with mistaken identities, attractive women, crime and corruption and a spot of bed hopping.

Director Tina Barker has designed a simple but practical single set, with impressive scenic art by Melissa Bassett. Rob Tagliaferri and Callum Hunter light the stage well, with solid sound design by Vanessa Gudgeon. Tasha Jane’s wardrobe suggests the 50s, which gives us a time period that matches the dialogue and style of the show.

Storm Boy

By Colin Thiele, adapted by Tom Holloway. Queensland Theatre. The Playhouse at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from 31 July to 17 August 2019.

Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director, Sam Strong, is at the helm of this hugely successful stage version of the Aussie classic Storm Boy. He has brought together a highly skilled team where everyone has played their part in forging an exhilarating visual theatre experience. The magical set design by Anna Cordingley – sand dunes and beach shacks – brings to life the Coorong setting, bolstered by stunning projections and drone images from Justin Harrison, with sparkling lighting by Matt Scott.

We Will Rock You

By Queen and Ben Elton. Encore Theatre Company. Belinda King (Director) Danny Gibson (Stage Manager) Travis Hennessy and Benjamin Austin (Musical Directors) Dearbhla Gillen (Choreographer). Princess Theatre Launceston. August 1 – 10, 2019

Talent abounds on the NW coast of Tasmania. It was only a short five months ago that Encore staged Strictly Ballroom, a production notable for accomplished dancers. This August, Encore has cast strong contemporary voices in We Will Rock You.

Some of these skilled dancers from the previous show front the ensemble but character actors also abound. The strength of this production, however, lies in the principal performers.

Everything's Coming Up Sondheim

Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim. Spears Entertainment. Director: Tyran Parke. Producer: Caitlin Spears. Musical Director: Stephen Gray. Choreographer: Jess D'Souza. The Loft, Chapel off Chapel, Prahran. 2-4 August, 2019

Director Tyran Parke (fresh from directing Barnum – The Circus Musical) is a huge devotee of the work of Stephen Sondheim and has both performed in and directed many concerts and musicals featuring the king of Broadway's music and lyrics. 

The vision for this intimate showcase was to help the audience see how our own humanity prevents us from achieving connection. This vision was achieved with great success by Mr Parke, Producer Caitlin Spears and Musical Director Stephen Gray as part of the newly formed Spears Entertainment production company. 

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.