Reviews

Instruments of Dance

The Australian Ballet. Arts Centre Melbourne. 23 September – 1st October, 2022.

Instruments of Dance is a mixed bag contemporary program put together for the Australian Ballet. Three choreographers tell different stories through music and dance in this program, The Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer Wayne McGregor, NYC Ballet’s Justin Peck and our own Alice Topp.

Anne of Green Gables

By Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. Stirling Players. Directed by Fran Gordon. Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo, WA. Sep 16 -Oct 1, 2022

Stirling Players youth musical is a lovely adaptation of the original novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Well-directed and crafted, this is a sweet treat with appeal to audiences of all ages.

Siegfried in Concert

Melbourne Opera presents part three of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle: Siegfried. Directed by Suzanne Chaundy and conducted by Anthony Negus. Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank. Sunday 25 September 2022.

The concert production of Siegfried is an absolute treat. This major opera is full of intense drama and explores themes such as hunger for power and world domination. These themes are fully indulged as each character’s lust for power becomes a destructive or fiery force in their lives.

Curtains - School Edition

Book by Robert Holmes. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Mousetrap Theatre at John Nauman Hall, Deception Bay, Qld. Sept. 23 - Oct 9, 2022.

This musical reflects, in many ways, what goes on behind the scenes in productions, particularly when the curtain is about to fall unless changes are made to the cast. Never would it get to the stage of disruption as shown here but conflicts and various ambitions sometimes come into conflict. The worst possible aspects are the feature of this musical as the curtain is soon to fall. This production had the added challenge of being a youth production with cast members developing their talent by actually performing in front of an audience.

Class of 2022 Acting and Musical Theatre Showcase

Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium. Performing Arts and Musical Theatre graduates. Burke Street Studio Theatre, Brisbane. 24 September 2022

After signing up to their courses of study just before the pandemic hit, 16 Bachelor of Acting students and 22 Bachelor of Musical Theatre students from Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium presented their graduating showcase on the weekend. This Class of 2022 have certainly earned their degrees, having forged ahead through online classes, Zoom rehearsals and – finally – face-to-face but COVID-restricted practice.

Into The Woods

By Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA Inc. 85th Anniversary Concert. The Arts Theatre Adelaide. September 22 - October 1, 2022

How utterly delightful to revisit this musical in 2022, not quite a year after the death of Stephen Sondheim.  To make it even better, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA has assembled a talented cast and crew to do justice to this landmark musical, entertaining us since its San Diego premiere in 1986.

Seussical The Musical

By Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens based on the works of Dr Seuss. HAMA Productions. Directed by Olivia Jade. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Sep 23 - Oct 2, 2022

Just in time for the school holidays, Hama Productions’ Seussical the Musical bursts into the Regal Theatre - a joyous, vibrant show, with excellent production values and a highly talented cast. 

My Family and Other Animals

By Gerald Durrell. Genesian Theatre Company, Sydney. September 17 to October 22, 2022.

Let me start by saying that this play is quite an undertaking.  Twenty-five different scenes that convey a combination of Gerry's childhood memories, the sometimes chaotic family dynamic and the various Durrell family interactions with the locals.  It certainly is a rich tapestry and the Genesian Theatre Company has tackled it head on.

Marvin’s Room

By Scott McPherson, Ad Astra, Brisbane. 1 - 24 September 2022

Marvin’s Room is a weirdly surreal, sometimes soapish drama: it’s about rebelling against your family history, but also about gracefully accepting the cards you’ve been dealt. One commentator called its style “absurdism shot through with compassion”. It is colourful, sad, but mostly funny. On its surface is a human drama (albeit black comedy), but its subconscious themes of caring, complicated family love, and unfulfilled potential will resonate – and don’t be surprised if the play creeps up on you the next day.

Amy’s Tattoo

By Alison Mann. Blue Cow Theatre. Director - Sarah Carradine. Sound Designer - Heath Brown. Jason James – Lighting. Theatre Royal Hobart, 21-24 September 2022 (Hobart) and Earl Arts Centre Launceston, 30 September - 1st October.

It is a well-known aphorism that children and tattoos are both permanent.  Both get under your skin, as does this wonderful play by Alison Mann. Tasmanian playwright Mann, already much awarded, was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Queensland Premier’s drama award. For good reason.

Amy is 42-year-old free-spirited tattoo artist who altruistically donated her eggs as a 20-year-old.  The action unfolds when she meets her son, a young adult who wants a tattoo.  The marks on the skin of both go much deeper and an immediate connection is formed.

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