Reviews

This is a brilliant telling of a Lorca masterpiece, unexpectedly tucked away in Marrickville’s flight-path-dominated little theatre. But the regular noise of landing planes could not affect the spell of this great play, nor dim the edge of what is a tight, expert production by Guetamalan producer/director Diana Paola Alvarado.

Hot love and betrayal in a rural Spanish village is on Lorca’s list, with coercion and revenge killings in strong support. Based on a true story of fatal feuding between two families, Lorca lets rip. Ms Alvarado takes up the challenge 100%.

One of the delights of quality theatre devised for children and young people is the joy and playfulness it brings. Presented by a 30 strong ensemble who sing, dance, act and tap-dance their socks and flippers off, this is two alternating shows that highlights the SpongeBob common theme of environmental awareness. I saw Krabby Patty which is set in Bikini Bottom, an under the sea town.  I am very tempted to line up, as busloads of excited children did, to also see Chum Bucket.

How to Catch a Star at the Australian Chamber Orchestra at Pier 2/3 is an enchanting trip to the sky through the eyes of a child. Who hasn’t been obsessed with the stars? They capture the imagination of young and old, as does this delightful production. 

What a treat to be nestled on the Sydney Harbour alongside the glorious Harbour Bridge, with big windows in the corridor to the theatre. 

Cut Chilli is a “coming-of-age” story of a different kind. It’s even bigger than that really – because though it revolves around inter-country adoption practices and “the wilful naivety around the broken systems that have enabled its darker side”, it reaches beyond that to our own dark history of ‘stolen’ children, forced assimilation, supremacist policies and racism.