Reviews

Duck Duck Goose

By Caitríona Daly. THAT Production Company. Theatre Works. 3 – 13 April 2024

In Duck Duck Goose, the victim of a rape, and the accuser, Jane (Rachel Nutchey) appears on stage only for a few minutes, just enough for us to know who she is.  She is not the subject; she is a functional character; but she is a fact; her rape is a fact.  And in this play, that’s the catalyst for what Caitríona Daly wishes to reveal: complicity. 

Charley’s Aunt

Adapted by Paul Thain from Brandon Thomas. Tea Tree Players (SA). 3 - 13 April 2024

Brandon Thomas’ 1892 farce Charley’s Aunt has been performed countless times and is still charming and delightful. It makes for a fun night at the theatre and is one of the best shows I have seen by Tea Tree Players.

Barry Hill, the director, has assembled an excellent cast, tutored well in physical farce and sharp line delivery. The pace of this show is perfect and the laughter throughout from the audience demonstrated its timeless appeal.

The Dog/The Cat

By Brendan Cowell and Lally Katz. Fremantle Theatre Company in conjunction with JackRabbit Productions. Directed by Michael Abercromby. Victoria Hall, Fremantle. Apr 5-21, 2024

The Dog/The Cat features two short plays written respectively by Brendan Cowell  and Lally Katz, and presented by Fremantle Theatre Company in conjunction with JackRabbit Productions. Performed on the same set and featuring the same three performers, these yin and yang plays fit nicely together as an evening’s entertainment.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

By Simon Stephens from the book by Mark Haddon. Presented by The Flying Elephant Company & Limelight Theatrics. Goodwood Theatre & Studios. 5-13 April 2024

Christopher Boone is fifteen years old, likes maths, outer space, looking after Toby, his rat, and he sees everything. In the multi-award-winning adaptation of Mark Haddon’s famous novel, Simon Stephens places an autistic boy in the midst of what he sees only as a murder mystery, but quickly reveals that despite knowing every colour of the cars he passed on his way to school, he is unaware of the neighbourhood secrets and the human capacity to lie and deceive.

Reuben Kaye: Apocalipstik

Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Merlyn Theatre, The Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank Victoria. 28 March – 21 April 2024.

Apocalipstik may be inspired by the pessimism of a nihilistic view of the current condition of the world but there is absolutely no sense of resignation in this show. There is only fiery and emphatic rebellion and refusal to acquiesce to any notions of normal or the inevitable. The show is a phenomenal extravaganza of a range of Kaye’s many talents. Kaye is first and foremost an exceptional and skillful raconteur. This is demonstrated via the ability to tell the complex tale of the very colourful life of his Uncle Helmut.

Time After Time

By Fiona Blakely. FiFi Productions. Directed by Fiona Blakely and Fiona Wildsmith. Byford Secondary College, WA. April 5-13, 2024

FiFi Productions present another home-grown World Premiere, with a bitter-sweet historical setting and distinctive local flavour. Set on Platform 3 at Perth Train Station, Time After Time follows a succession of couples who meet on the platform, against the background of two world wars, then the war in Vietnam, leading up to a meeting in the present day.

The Maids

By Jean Genet, translated by Benedict Andrews and Andrew Upton. Presented by Famous Last Words. Goodwood Theatre and Studios. 3-13 April 2024

‘Mistress is kind,’ says Claire, though her sister Solange isn’t so sure. The two siblings are maids under a powerful woman who keeps them in line with fear and faux friendliness. Whilst their mistress is out, the two maids play with her clothes and make-up, acting out extreme versions of their interactions – their sadomasochism building them both to a sexual frenzy.

Mel & Sam - The Platonic Human Centipede

Written & performed by Mel O’Brien & Samantha Andrew. Music & Lyrics by Mel O’Brien & Samantha Andrew. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Toff in Town, Melbourne CBD. 28 March – 14 April 2024

Mel and Sam’s stock in trade is satire - a kind of cheeky, cheerful frontal assault mockery of institutions, the phoney and the fashionable, sacred cows, and the just plain ridiculous.  Mostly that’s via their songs – sometimes riffing off songs we all know, or more often their own fast-moving patter songs with lots of puns, internal rhymes, and shock (‘Did they just say that??’) lyrics. 

Cabaretica April 2024: Miscellanea

Curated by Isabel Knight La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton Victoria. Friday 8 April 2024.

La Mama Cabaretica is a quarterly cabaret offering curated by theatre actor, singer, producer and theatre maker Isabel Knight. The show aims to showcase emerging and local cabaret talent and this year offered debut and return performances as part of the program. Knight also acts as the host or MC of the event and creates a very vibrant and energetic atmosphere. She provides raucous encouragement and support for the daring and often very contrasting acts included in this show.

Musica April 2024: Amos Roach

La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton. Performance and Livestream April 1, 2024

Amos Roach generously shared his strong cultural identity as a proud Djab Wurrung/Gunditj Mara and Ngarrindjeri man through music, song and dance. Amos issued a warm invitation to explore and engage with ancient songlines and connections to Country. He moved through his opening dance, the songs of his parents, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, his own compositions and his extraordinary Yidaki (Digeridoo) playing with a serious joy.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.