Reviews

Where the Streets Had a Name

By Eva Di Cesare, based on the book by Randa Abdel-Fattah. Monkey Baa Theatre Company. Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Aug 30 – Sep 1, 2017

“When your home is occupied and you have no right of return, you hold on to what you can: the key to the front door; the title deeds to your land; a jar of soil”.

In this sentence from her program notes, Eva Di Cesare defines the essence of Randa Abdel-Fattah’s novel – just as her perceptive adaptation and deft direction capture the novel’s messages of the personal/political effects of occupation, violence and injustice.

 

La Vida Breve and Gianni Schicchi

By Manuel de Falla and Giocomo Puccini respectively. Directed by Nicholas Cannon and Douglas McNicol respectively. State Opera SA and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Conductor and Chorus Master - Brian Castles-Onion AM. August 30 & 31, 2017

La Vida Breveand Gianni Schicchi were presented as a double bill in a concert performance. The first, by Manuel de Falla, has the passion and tragedy of love when it is mixed with class conflict. The second has the wit and comedy of classic Commedia dell’Arte heightened by a Puccini soundtrack. La Vida Breve was a mixed experience whereas Gianni Schicchi was a thoroughly engaging and wonderful romp.

Thirty Nine

Fresh Theatre for Social Change. Realm - Eastland, Ringwood (Vic). 30th Aug - 2nd Sept, 2017

Fresh Theatre for Social Change is an insightful and socially relevant theatre company, located in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. Their work engenders discussion on prevalent topics that surround us each day. Executive Director Sharyn Mullens Taylor explains their philosophical stance by 'using the medium of theatre we encourage the strong, give support to the timid, remind the indifferent and warn the oppressor.'

Macbeth

By William Shakespeare. State Theatre Company of SA. Dunstan Playhouse. August 25- September 16, 2017

Setting Shakespeare in present times is no longer seen as a groundbreaking initiative, but Geordie Brookman’s thoroughly modern production of Macbeth for State Theatre Company SA breaks new ground nevertheless, though for a very different reason than its contemporary setting.

Chicago

Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. WAAPA. Directed by Crispin Taylor. Geoff Gibbs Theatre, ECU, Bradford St, Mt Lawley, WA. Aug 26 – Sep 2, 2017

WAAPA’s graduating Musical Theatre students presented their final full length production – a beautifully polished version of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago – a show that Musical Director David King describes as “ideal for a performing arts school”.

Disney Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton. APAN. Directed by Olivia Collier. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Aug 25 - Sep 3, 2017

APAN’s Beauty and the Beast is a lavish production with a huge cast, big sets and a lot of buzz.

The cast is a mix of professional performers, current APAN students, graduates and students from a variety of performing arts studios across the state.

In the title roles on Opening Night were Breiarne Walker (who shares the role with Madeleine Shaw) and Sam Rabbone. Breiarne is a fresh and sweet Belle, with a lovely singing voice, while Sam is an imposing Beast, with a depth of feeling. 

The Show Goes On

Bernadette Robinson. The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. Directed by Richard Carroll. Duet Productions. 25 August – 10 September, 2017

Bernadette Robinson does mean impersonations of famous singers. Garland, Bassey and Piaf are meat and drink to her; Julie Andrews puts in an appearance, and Patsy Cline; even Maria Callas turns up, top notes and all. She has a large and loyal following who adore her every move.

This is her new show, following the success of Song For Nobodies, and it features her multiple personalities chatting about what motivates them before she launches into song after song. At no stage (before taking her bows at the end) is Bernadette herself allowed to comment.

High Society

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter: Book by Arthur Kopit. Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. Based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry and the MGM motion picture High Society. Lilydale Athenaeum. 17th Aug - 2nd Sept, 2017

For their Season 3, 2017, Lilydale Athenaeum has chosen the ambitious Cole Porter musical High Society. Based on the play The Philadelphia Story and MGM musical of the same name, this was certainly an undertaking by an amateur theatre company, even one as well established as the Athenaeum.

Set in Philadelphia in 1938,High Society tells the tale of Tracy Lord, a rich woman (by family wealth), ecstatic about her impending marriage to George Kittredge, a successful, yet boring,industrialistmanager.

Kinky Boots

Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper. Book: Harvey Fierstein. Director/Choreographer: Jerry Mitchell. Music Director/Conductor: Luke Hunter. Michael Cassel Production. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. Opening night 26 August 2017

Last night Brisbane got to experience Callum Francis’ Helpmann Award Winning performance of Lola when Kinky Boots opened to a thunderous audience reception. And what a performance it was – he strutted, he preened, he wound the audience ‘round his little finger, and sang, danced and acted like a star. Head and shoulders above everyone else on stage, his level of performance is reason enough to see this feel-good musical hit based on a true story about a faltering Northhampton shoe factory who find success manufacturing boots for drag queens.

West Side Story

Music: Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim. Book: Arthur Laurents. Lumina Theatre Co. Director: Daryl Stevenson. Musical Director: Daniel Aguiar. Choreographer: Narada Edgar. Aquinas College, Ringwood. Au 25 – Sep 2, 2017.

Lumina Theatre Co is a relatively new company based at Aquinas College in Ringwood, and this was their second production. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I got was a lot of youthful energy from the mainly young cast, and a lot of pathos, as the drama was fully realised.

Sets were minimal, with a cyclone fence and walkway at the back and various pieces of furniture moved on and off as appropriate. This worked well because of the excellent lighting.

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