Reviews

Blessed

By Fleur Kilpatrick. Attic Erratic Company for the Poppy Seed Theatre Festival. Malthouse Theatre, Tower. 8 – 20 November 2016.

With weird and unforeseen synchronicity this play opened on the day we learned that Donald Trump would be the next President of the United States.  The play’s characters, Maggie (Olivia Monticciolo) and Grey (Matt Hickey) are thwarted, defeated and hope-less, so poisoned by alienation and failure that they can no longer identify or blame the causes – except themselves.  There may be ‘no more exciting time to be Australian’, but not for these two.  They’ve been left behind.  Worse, we sense they always would be. 

Project Xan

Directed by Hellie Turner. PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts), WA. 8-19 November, 2016

Project Xan, presented by Jedda Productions at PICA, is a highly moving, insightful, documentary theatre piece, which examines rape culture. Sensitively presented, by a clearly tight-knit ensemble, it is a wonderful inspiration for discussion and debate.

Tartuffe

By Moliere. Adapted by Phillip Kavanagh. State Theatre Company & Brink Productions. Dunstan Playhouse. 4-20 November, 2016.

If you seek a light-hearted romp, written with wit and intelligence, this proudly accessible version of Tartuffe should fit the bill – for most of its length, at least. On the other hand, despite a gallery of memorable and effective performances to be found in the ensemble, you may well be disappointed by Tartuffe himself, a figure who proves (at least for this reviewer) more effective when talked about – in admiration, anticipation, or revulsion - by others than when making his own presence felt ‘in the flesh’.

The Threepenny Opera

By Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill based on the adaptation & translation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera by Elizabeth Hauptmann; book & lyrics adapted & updated by Simon Stephens. National Theatre Live, recorded at the Olivier Theatre, London. Nova Cinemas, Carlton (VIC) and cinemas nationally. Opens 12 November 2016.

Watching a rather solemn rehearsal of The Threepenny Opera in the United States, in the 1950s, Bertolt Brecht voiced a loud objection: ‘Das ist nicht spass!’  (This is no fun!’)  However serious, or indeed didactic, the show, it still better to be fun.  That is, sharp, funny and entertaining – plus ravishing the audience with insights about their world.

Sweet Phoebe

By Michael Gow. Directed by Anthony Skuse and Suzanne Pereira. Old Fitz Theatre, Sydney. 1 – 12 November 2016

Helen and Fraser are a pretentious and privileged Sydney couple. Their relationship is hardly comfortable – attempts at intimacy are awkward – but their lives are turned upside down when they look after their friends’ dog. Sweet Phoebe runs away and they become desperate, doing increasingly strange things, in an attempt to find her.

Malpractical Jokes

Directed by Izaak Lim. Underground at the Maj, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, WA. 3-5 Nov, 2016

Malpractical Jokes is a classic cabaret, brought to life by consummate performer Izaak Lim, who delights his audience with his medical themed cabaret built around excellent storytelling and Izaak’s beautiful voice.

Anti-Hamlet

Writer/Director: Mark Wilson. The New Working Group & Theatre Works. Theatre Works. 3 – 13 November, 2016

Anti-Hamlet is a clever slick journey opening with Mark Wilson as Hamlet engaging the audience with fabulous sparkling heightened energy.  This energy is embraced by all actors and doesn’t let up as we are taken on a fast a wild ride and lengthy ride through a sort of Australian ‘boy’s own’ contemporary Australian Hamlet, which, mainly through their absence, highlights aspects of Shakespeare’s original. 

A Flea in Her Ear

By Georges Feydeau. Adapted by Andrew Upton. Directed by Simon Phillips. Set and costumes by Gabriella Tylesova. Sydney Theatre Company. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. November 4 to December 13, 2016

This production is best summed up by the last line of the first act – a complete farce. Several members of the audience near me were unable to control their mirth, eliciting a horse-like laughter at regular intervals.

Not being a scholar of the French playwright it was difficult for me to ascertain exactly which extra bits of narrative Andrew Upton stitched on to the play, written more than a century ago. Whatever it was, the combination of the script, direction, design and performance made it a night of sublime silliness – a perfect date night.

Leading Ladies

By Ken Ludwig. Therry Dramatic Society. Arts Theatre Adelaide. November 3-12, 2016.

Sometimes it’s good to sit and watch a well-constructed comedy into which the actors can add generous slices of ham. Such is Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies, which in the experienced hands of Adelaide’s Therry Dramatic Society and the play’s Director Jude Hines is a hoot from go to whoa.

Carousel

Music: Richard Rodgers. Book & Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein ll. Based on Ferenc Molnar’s play Liliom. Queensland Musical Theatre. Director: Ruth Gabriel. Musical Director: Julie Whiting. Choreography: Julianne Burke. Schonell Theatre, St Lucia, Brisbane. 2-6 November 2016.

Over seventy years ago Rodgers and Hammerstein broke the mold when they created Carousel with its wife-beating street-tough anti-hero, and it’s this dark spousal-abuse story thread that still gives the musical its contemporary currency. Their score, one of the finest in the classic musical theatre canon, registered time and time again in Ruth Gabriel’s production which wisely cast voices who could do justice to the songs.

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