Reviews

Pop-up Globe continues its six week Perth season. Dr Miles Gregory, who is the creator of this amazing concept, directs three of the four plays - Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream - which play in a temporary working copy of Shakespeare’s second Globe Theatre, housed in the grounds of Crown Perth. Perth audiences join 550,000 people who have seen Pop-up Globe performances in the past two years.

Matthew Whittet’s coming of age play reminds all of us of the end of our secondary education, when, on the brink of launching ourselves into adulthood, we may have celebrated that watershed moment with false bravado, perhaps too much alcohol and not a little fear and trepidation. Although we’d never voice it to our peers at the time, we deeply mourn the friendships that are about to scatter to the winds and perhaps secretly long to remain as we were, comfortably free of the looming responsibilities and future trials of grownup life. 

As Roleystone Theatre continue their residence at Roleystone Hall, while their beloved theatre is being rebuilt, they are experimenting with different configurations. Secret Bridesmaids’ Business is being presented with cabaret seating. This is perhaps especially appropriate for this production, as the seating style feels right for a wedding themed production. The show is being staged at the same time as the screening of the very different, but similarly named, TV series, so could prove an interesting comparison exercise for those interested in the tv show.

The ‘grey rock’ is the Moon.  In a West Bank, Palestine, villageYusuf (Khalifa Natour), a widowed and retired television repairman, is building a rocket to go there.  He’s already done time for being a troublemaker.  He keeps his project secret from his daughter Lila (Fidaa Zaidan) and definitely from Lila’s fiancé, play-it-safe Jawad (Alaa Shehada).  But he sees that he needs the help – if not the blessing – of the village imam, Sheik (Motaz Malhees).  Yusef is so intent – if not obsessed with – his plan, he is