Reviews

My sister reckons that contemporary plays, especially Australian ones, rarely tell happy love stories. I’ll suggest she go to Triple X for an update on the genre.

This is one of Shakespeare’s earlier works and it provides plenty of opportunity for unbridled silliness and rollicking physical theatre. Glenn Elston has chosen to use the Commedia Dell’Arte box of tricks including stock characters, masks, exaggerated costumes and Punch and Judy slapstick to bring this tale of twins separated early in life to the stage.

If you are in a long-term relationship, the idea of 44 Sex Acts in One Week seems more than a little farfetched. Perhaps a year might be more realistic?

The concept did not deter the opening night crowd, who were noticeably younger than many regular Sydney theatregoers. Perhaps they pondered that they might be up for it.

Originally staged downstairs at Belvoir St, this fruity romcom is a hoot and felt at home on the larger arena-like stage of the York Theatre.

At the last minute Amy Lehpamer, who was one of Defying Gravity’s leading ladies, had to pull out because of Covid, so her replacement, Opera Queensland allumna Irena Lysiuk had 48 hours to learn the whole show. A formidable feat, but she came through with flying colors and her vocals more than matched her esteemed co-stars Caroline O’Connor and Naomi Price.

A capacity house rose to the occasion giving thunderous support to the three divas who were obviously thrilled to be back on stage doing what they do best.