Reviews

KADS’ Dead Man’s Cell Phone is a cosy little drama with a difference, playing at Kalamunda. Directed with thought by Phil Bedworth, it features a talented cast and was well received by the opening night audience, who were invariably describing it as “surprising” and “different”. 

Sanaz Toossi’s play takes place in Iran in a classroom for four students of English as a foreign language, the different sessions amusingly signalled by changes in the room’s wall clock.

I have always thought that the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands is the pinnacle of Johnny Depp’s acting career, the ‘Frankenstein’ boy with scissors instead of hands who only wants to fit into society. It’s a unique combination of comedy, tragedy and horror.

British choreographer Matthew Bourne, famous for his 1995 all male version of Swan Lake has taken this classic film and turned it into a ballet while still retaining the look and feel of the original but placing it in the 50s instead of the 80s.

Puccini's two contrasting one-act operas are an excellent choice for students of classical voice not only because of their vocal requirements but also their intriguing theatricality and diversity of character. After recently viewing a production of the university's musical theatre department and now the talents of the opera school, I am equally impressed by the standard of presentation, though in this instance these works are a worthy example of two diverse and demanding scores that require far more intense and expert vocal training.