Reviews

Side by Side

Written and directed by Daniella Sicari and Eimear Foley. Fringe World. Downstairs at the Maj, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, WA. Jan 27-30, 2021

One of the unexpected benefits for theatregoers, of a world disrupted by Covid, is that many International Artists have returned home to Perth. Two of many outstanding performers who are in Perth at the moment are Daniella Sicari and Eimear Foley, whose Fringe World show, Side by Side, presented by Aces at the Maj, is playing for a very short season.

Come From Away

Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein. Junkyard Dog Productions & NewTheatricals. The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. 26 January – 28 February 2021, then Brisbane and Sydney.

There are two clear and outstanding reasons to see (or to see again) Come From Away: the amazing ‘true story’, and the dazzling, funny, moving production. 

The Karaoke Club

Written and directed by Saskia Ware. APK Productions / Fringe World. The Rosemount Hotel, North Perth WA. Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2021

The World Premiere of The Karaoke Club is presented by APK Productions for Fringe World at the Rosemount Hotel. A vibrant and engaging piece of work, it is being very well received and is well written, acted and presented.

Advertised to play at two venues, the second has fallen through at the last minute. Hopefully a further run can be secured, as this is a solid little production that deserves a bigger audience.

Undecided: A Multiple Choice Musical

By John McPherson and James Palm, with music by John McPherson. Fringe World. Directed by John McPherson. Rehearsal Room One, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 25-30, 2021

If you have ever enjoyed reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book, you will love this world premiere musical playing at the State Theatre Centre as part of Fringe World. Undecided: A Multiple Choice Musical allows the audience to decide the fates of the characters - meaning that there are multiple ways the show can play out.

Using their mobile phone, audience members vote on a choice of two scenarios at various points in the show, which changes how the plot will progress. 

Speakeasy Story

By Serge Le Goueff and Paula Renée. Fringe World. The Gold Digger, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Jan 18-24, 2021

Mr and Mrs Smith, a jazz duo from WA’s south west, presented this tribute to the Speakeasy in The Gold Digger for Fringe World.

Great accessible jazz is presented with a history of the speakeasies, in a show that entertains and informs. The Fringe World version of this show is an hour-long version of what is usually a two hour show, but feels complete and satisfying in this format.

WHAT OF IT

By Rebecca Fingher. Fringe World Festival. Directed by Mitchell Whelan. Rehearsal Room 1, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 25-30, 2021

This world premiere by Rebecca Fingher was developed in the ATYP Fresh Ink program for emerging writers. Presented by the author in conjunction with Lazy Yarns, it is playing for a short season in Rehearsal Room 1 as part of the Fringe World Festival.

An examination of women, violence and the end of the world, WHAT OF IT subverts the expectations of feminist theatre, in this gender swapped drama where “Girls will be girls aye bruv”.

Me Too! The Musical

By Louise Plant, Stacey Broomhead and Dan Smith. Fringe World Festival. Directed by Michael McCall. The Art Room, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Jan 15-24, 2021

With the emergence of the Me Too! movement, it was only a matter of time before we got Me Too! The Musical, billed as a show which "hits hard and fast at the outrageous and horrifying behaviours women have had to endure over time and the impact it has on the women of today”.

Prismatic

Written and directed by Tim Lorian. Fringe World. Room 2:04 at the Girls School, East Perth, WA. Jan 15-29, 2021

Prismatic is an intriguing monologue play set in a karaoke bar called Prismatic. Through well-performed interconnected monologues - from a very promising, emerging writer - we meet three fascinating karaoke performers and get an insight into their lives and loves.

I am Playing Me

By David Gray, Bec Pearce and Ryan Dawson. Fringe World Festival. Connections Nightclub, Northbridge, WA. Jan 15-16, 2021

I am Playing Me is about the way that musical theatre performers find that musical theatre songs seem to resonate with their lives. A great way for people to start their Fringe World Festival experience, I Am Playing Me, presented by Arise Productions, ran for just two early evening sessions on the first two days of this Fringe season.

The Boy From Oz

By Nick Enright, featuring the music of Peter Allen. Platinum Entertainment. Directed by Drew Anthony. Crown Theatre, Perth, WA. Jan 22 - Feb 21, 2021

The Boy From Oz is a huge exciting celebration of the life of Peter Allen. Platinum Entertainment gives us a production that dazzles and delights its Covid Capacity audiences. Highly polished, expertly and excitingly performed - this production is a treat.

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