Reviews

One Long Night in the Land of Nod

By Duncan Graham. Adelaide Fringe. Presented by The Cabbages and Kings Collective. Noel Lothian Hall, Adelaide Botanic Garden; 16-25 Feb, 2018. The Pocket, Stirling; 7-8 Mar, 2018.

This is a tale of the world of two brothers, one named Kane. Yes, One Long Night in the Land of Nod is a show unafraid of making grand allusions – but does it live up to them?

30 Minute Macbeth

Fringe World. Directed by Patrick Hercamp. The Ramp, The Ice Cream Factory, Northbridge, WA. Feb 19-25, 2018

30 Minute Macbeth is exactly what it says in the title - Shakespeare’s blackest tragedy, told in (under) half an hour. It is a highly charged, super-energised romp through this darkest of tales.

Cabaret Consultations

Fringe World. Directed by Ahmed Kazmi. The Gold Digger, Fringe Central, Perth, WA. Feb 19-24, 2018

Two years ago at Fringe World, I had the pleasure of attending a new medical comedy show. More than just stand-up, it included song and dance and told of (then) local GP Ahmed Kazmi’s experiences as a medical professional. It was absolutely delightful, but rough around the edges, and it was clear that this talented young man was new to performing. Since then the good doctor has performed his show around the world, and his reputation as a performer has soared.

A Little Bit of Pain Never Hurt Anyone

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2018. Periscope Productions. Holden Street Theatres/The Arch. 15th Feb - 4th March, 2018

Part of what makes the Adelaide Fringe Festival so exciting is that it provides a vehicle for showcasing new writing within theatre.

In A Little Bit of Pain Never Hurt Anyone Melbourne-based playwright Brendan McDougall has produced a very personal play about what shapes us, as he puts our childhoods under the microscope, however painful that may be.

What is pre-determined in who we are? Are we destined to become our parents? Not all influences we experience as children are positive; they can have the power to instil fear and anxiety.

The Children

By Lucy Kirkwood. Melbourne Theatre Company. Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. Feb 3 - Mar 10, 2018

A challenging and rewarding work, The Children unfolds naturalistically in real time. 

Triage! A Nursing Cabaret, DISCHARGED!

Fringe World 2018. Directed by Sally Bourne. The Flour Palace, The Flour Factory, Queen St, Perth WA for The Palace Society and Fringe World. Feb 13-23, 2018

Triage! A Nursing Cabaret, DISCHARGED! is the sequel to Zuleika Khan’s highly successful nursing cabaret, Triage! The new show makes its debut at Fringe World and promises to be just as successful as its sister.

Backbone

Directed by Darcy Grant. Musical compositions by Shenton Gregory and Elliot Zoerner. Presented by Gravity & Other Myths in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Powerhouse Theatre (Qld). 16 - 17 February, 2018

What’s your relationship to the earth, to gravity and to other people? What is it you cling to most? What do you fear? What are you allowing to drag you down and what lifts you up? Backbone is more than amazingly talented acrobatics, it’s a work of modern art that evokes some big questions. The show is elemental, with earth, metal, wood, and stone props and air, light and water conjured through laser beams and strategically-placed stage lighting.

Piano Power

Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Blendulf. Piano: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Concert Hall, QPAC. 17 Feb 2018.

The first concert for 2018 in Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro series Piano Power set the bar impossibly high indeed; a diverse program of French and Russian music, a Grammy Award-Winning pianist, and a dynamic young Scandinavian conductor delivering a performance not only of musical excellence but of technical virtuosity.

According to Otto

Writer and director Wayne Tunks. Tunks Productions / Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The Depot Theatre, Marrickville. February 14 - 28, 2018

Tunks Productions' According to Otto is a fun fresh vibrant piece of new writing, a perfect fit to open Mardi Gras 2018 in Sydney.

Keith Conlon's Horrible History of Adelaide

2018 Adelaide Fringe Festival. National Wine Centre. 18th - 25th February

South Australia has many well-loved icons; Humphrey Bear, the Police Greys, Violet Crumbles and the Malls Balls to name a few. Another well-loved icon, Mr South Australia himself, Keith Conlon, is performing at this year’s fringe, lifting the lid on some of Adelaide’s horrible history. Conlon, veteran broadcaster, former host of Postcards and current Chair of the South Australian Heritage Council has a lifelong interest in South Australian history and shares his knowledge in a fun and informative hour-long show.

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