Reviews

Awakening

By Daniel Lammin. Good Time Theatrics. Directed by Kurtis Laing. Armitage Centre, Empire Theatres Toowoomba. 28 August 2021.

Dramatist Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play Spring Awakening, which brought to light issues in the sexually oppressive culture of 19th century Germany, still resonates strongly with the youth of today. Reimagined by NIDA graduate and Green Room nominee Daniel Lammin, Awakening delivers the vivid dramatisation of the erotic fantasies and existential angst audiences expect from Wedekind’s original work, within a modern-day setting.

Dreams and Visions

Southern Cross Soloists. Concert Hall, QPAC, Southbank. 5 Sep 2021

After a delay due to Covid-19 lockdown, Southern Cross Soloists Dreams and Visions was finally performed, albeit with several of their regular musicians absent due to interstate lockdowns. But in their place were some highly accomplished guest artists, including two of Australia’s foremost musicians, cellist Trish Dean and husband clarinetist Paul, founder of Southern Cross Soloists.

The Old Man and the Old Moon

Book Music and Lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. Jack Lark Presents. Jack Lark and Finn Carter (Directors). Melanie Ransley (Set design). Ellen Roe and Jason James (Lighting Design). Samantha Sangston (Costumes and Set dressing). Theatre Royal Studio Theatre, Hobart, Tasmania. 2 – 11 September 2021

The moon used not to wax and wane. It used to be full of light until it developed a slow leak. The audience at the first night of The Old Man and The Old Moon may have entered the state-of-the-art new Studio Theatre slightly leaky but left, universally, brim-full of light.

One Act Season 2021

By Polly Low, James Forte and Katy Warner. Darlington Theatre Players. Directed by Michelle Ezzy, Chris McRae and Jacqui Warner. Marloo Theatre, Greenmount, WA. Aug 27 - Sep 4, 2021

Darlington Theatre Players One Act Season was a well curated selection of Australian short plays. Lovely variety in this trio, which were nicely directed and well performed.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Music: Marc Shaiman. Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. Songs from the movie by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley. Book: David Greig. Director: Jack O’Brien. John Frost for Crossroads Live, Warner Bros, Langley Park Prods, & Neal Street, Musical Director: David Piper. Choreography: Joshua Bergasse. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. 5 Sep – 2 Oct 2021

Since I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the eve of its London opening in June 2013, the show has undergone radical surgery with eight songs cut and more songs from the 1971 movie included. This is a good thing, and with all the winners who have the ‘Golden Ticket’ now played by adults instead of children, a much streamlined set, and washing the stage with video images, this ride into ‘Oompa Loompa’ land is most enjoyable.

Street Scene

Music: Kurt Weill. Lyrics: Langston Hughes (with Elmer Rice). Book: Elmer Rice, from his 1929 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Queensland Conservatorium. Director: Michael Gow. Conductor: Johannes Fritzsch. Conservatorium Theatre, Southbank. 4-11 Sep 2021.

When Street Scene opened on Broadway in 1947 it was called a ‘dramatic musical’. Although its reviews were favorable, it only ran 148 performances, but has since found a home in the opera houses of the world.

This is the second time that Queensland Conservatorium has mounted a production of it. The first was in 1988. It’s a good show for students as it offers innumerable characters and a large cast, so everyone can have their turn in the spotlight, if only for a moment.

Good People

By David Lindsay-Abaire. Adelaide Repertory Theatre. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. September 2-11, 2021

Good People is the brilliant new offering from The Adelaide Repertory Theatre. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, himself a ‘Southie’ from Boston, and skilfully directed by Nick Fagan, this is a piece of not to be missed theatre. Originally premiering on Broadway and starring Frances McDormand in the title role, we should be very grateful Nick found this play and decided to share it with Adelaide audiences.

Queensland's Finest

Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO). Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 3 & 4 September 2021

Presented by the QSO, Brisbane Festival, and QPAC, Queensland's Finest presents some of our state's best new talents, performing on the same program for the first time. Leading the proceedings was brand new Co-Concertmaster, Natsuko Yoshimoto (who shares the role with Warwick Adeney) a fresh and welcome move.

Image: Natsuko Yoshimoto

Boy Swallows Universe

By Tim McGarry, based on the Trent Dalton novel. Directed by Sam Strong. Queensland Theatre (QT). Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. Opening Night: 3 September 2021

OK, I'm going to just come right out and say it – I prefer the psychedelic and chaotic world of Trent Dalton's Boy Swallows Universe spilled out in full colour on the stage, rather than in my head while reading the novel. Phew! Now, as the novel's many fans will know, if it wasn't clear that this story was based on Dalton's own life experience, you'd never believe the twists and turns of his darkly funny tale. It's part Boy's Own coming-of-age saga, part true crime, part Sunday tabloid sensationalist suburban horror story.

Constantina Bush: Ride the Night Train

Constantina Bush (aka Kamahi Djordon King): Lead vocals. Eduardo Rodriguez (aka David Spry): Band Manager and Percussion. The Night Train band members: David Spry (vocals), Maia Bedggood (vocals) and Prayer Corby (vocals). Sarah Heffernan: Horn. Nick Yates: Saxophone. Mark Smith: Drums. Tom Jones: Bass. Aden Mackay: Guitar. INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park, Darwin. 22 August 2021. Darwin Festival.

I first had the privilege of discovering Miss Constantina Bush a decade ago at the celebrated (but now sadly defunct) Red Bennies on Chapel Street, Melbourne. The show – ‘Constantina Bush and the Bushettes’ – heralded the arrival of the supremely talented Miss Bush, whose irreverent tales from the outback (or Katherine to be more precise), were affectionately shared with her captivated crowd. There were (from my hazy memory), humble stories of her beloved Aunties.

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