Reviews

Value for Money

GUTS Dance Central Australia. Concept and Choreography: Sara Black and Jasmin Sheppard. Collaborating Performers: Waangenga Blanco, Gabriel Comerford, Madeleine Krenek, Ashley McLellan and Frankie Snowdon. Sound Designer and Composer: Tom Snowdon. Lighting Designer: Chris Mercer. Research Assistant: Tessa Snowdon. Dramaturg: Jonny Rowden. Costume Designers: Lizzy Verstappen and Andrew Treloar. Brown’s Mart Theatre, Darwin. 21 August 2021. Darwin Festival.

Powered by unparalleled choreographic vision and invention, and Tom Snowdon’s scorching soundscape, Value for Money is, quite simply, the most outstanding piece of contemporary dance theatre I have ever seen. Performing with unmatched skill and artistry, the dancers’ faultless execution of this punishing journey was never anything less than absolutely riveting – matching the physical challenges of the work's luxurious, choreographic adventurousness to absolute perfection.

Dear Divas - A Love Letter

Written and directed by Peter Cumins. Connections Nightclub, James St, Northbridge, WA. Aug 20-21, 2021

There are very few positive aspects to a world-wide pandemic, but an unexpected benefit in Perth is the return to the nest of many internationally based artists, including the fabulous Peter Cumins, returning to Perth after 17 years overseas.

Perth was not a kind place for teenaged Peter, keen on Musical Theatre, and gay, he was relentlessly bullied at a number of schools. Sad and lonely, he found solace in musical theatre DVDs and the vocal talents of the iconic pop divas - things that ultimately shaped his career as a vocalist and musical theatre actor.

Baby Shower

Written by Amy Hetherington and Kel Balnaves. Performed by Amy Hetherington. Choreographer: Kristy Jayne Love. INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park, Darwin. 20 August 2021. Darwin Festival.

On another perfect Darwin night under the stars, the 37 weeks pregnant Ms Hetherington took to the stage, immediately winning our hearts with her megawatt smile and personality, before embracing our mask-wearing, COVID-anxious souls in the theatrical equivalent of a bear hug. And from that moment, we were all hers.

Baby Shower is a little gem of a show that races through its hour-long run time – maybe because, with her midwife standing by in the audience, the hilarity and activity may have become too much for her very soon to be with us baby.

Rovers

By Katherine Lyall-Watson with Roxanne McDonald and Barbara Lowing, Belloo Creative & Critical Stages Touring, presented by Riverside Theatres Digital, August 2021

Rovers, is a part-scripted, part-improvised piece with major contributions by the two performers, directed by Caroline Dunphy, in collaboration with Belloo Creative.This on-demand version was filmed live at the Redland Performing Arts Centre, and is available on the Riverside Theatres Digital platform until Sunday 29 August 2021.

Little Gem

By Elaine Murphy. Irish Theatre Players. Directed by Suzannah Churchman. Townshend Theatre, Irish Club of WA, Subiaco, WA. Aug 19-28, 2021

Little Gem is a monologue play featuring three generations of the same family over the course of a year, Performed by three very strong performers, it was very well received by a sold-out audience at its only matinee performance.

School of Rock the Musical

New Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics: Glenn Slater. Book: Julian Fellowes. Pelican Productions. Thebarton Theatre, SA. August 20-22, 2021

Adelaide’s own award-winning company Pelican Productions is back with another powerhouse musical that will have you grooving in your seat and singing beneath your face mask. Founded by Jen Firth and Kylie Green in 2004, this company is renowned for high-quality entertainment and showcasing young musical theatre stars of the future.

Cosi

By Louis Nowra. Roleystone Theatre. Directed by Stephen Carr. Roleystone Hall, Jarrah Rd, Roleystone WA. August 20-28, 2021

While Roleystone Theatre (the building) is being rebuilt, Roleystone Theatre (the company) are temporarily performing at Roleystone Hall. While this Community Hall is limiting the show choice in many ways (the company needs to bump-out between most performances and cannot use a complex set), there have been some inspired choices of show that are embracing this unusual venue, and Cosi uses this space to its advantage.

Sydney II: Lost and Found

By Jenny Davis. Theatre 180. Directed by Stuart Halusz. ACE Cinemas, Rockingham, WA. Aug 18-22, 2021

Theatre 180’s world premiere of Sydney II: Lost and Found was launched with a gala celebration at ACE Cinema Rockingham, the first venue in a Western Australian tour that will continue until November 21 in cinemas around the state.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Book by David Greig. Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. With songs from the motion picture by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Townsville Choral Society. Townsville Civic Theatre Boundary Street, Townsville. 18 – 28 August 2021.

THIS family production is perfect for our times. It is bright and colourful. It has some sparkling performances, terrific orchestration, is wonderfully lit and, above all, it is very, very funny.

Wanha! Journey to Arnhem

Directors/Producers: Rosealee Pearson and Andrew Grimes. Musical Directors: Andrew Gurruwiwi and Patrick White. Narrator: Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs. Visuals: Warren Handley and Matt Maclean. Projectionist: Rosealee Pearson. Featured Artists: Yirrmal Marika, Djakapurra Munyarryun, Dhapanbal Yunupingu, Juran Adams and Andrew Gurruwiwi. Andrew Gurruwiwi Band Members: Andrew Gurruwiwi, Patrick White, Andrew Grimes, Dion Gurruwiwi, Gathaburra Mununggurr, Alex Bukulatjpi, Vadim Juste-Constant, Francis Diatschenko and Malngay Kevin Yunupingu. INPEX Sunset Stage, Festival Park, Darwin. 14 August 2021. Darwin Festival.

Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we have the opportunity to experience an event that might be considered life changing. Preconceptions disintegrate. Our senses gradually become overloaded. Our eyes widen, and an impossible smile forms on our mouths. Our minds race in an attempt to catch-up and keep up with all the details of this rapidly evolving new experience.

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