Reviews

The Wrong Mountain

Written and directed by Cath Willacy. Cairns Little Theatre. July 1-9, 2022

Mature-aged widow Beth is told by Nicky, her cleaner, that she is too old to be climbing ladders. In defiance of appearing ‘elderly’, she proudly announces to her friends that she is going to climb Mount Everest. Encouraged and in turn discouraged by her close friends, Kaz and Val, Beth begins training for the climb of a lifetime.

Oliver!

Book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Redcliffe Musical Theatre. Director Madeleine Johns. July 8 – July 17, 2022.

From the time the book by Dickens was published in 1836, the story of Oliver’s life has been a topic of interest and was even more so once it appeared as a musical in 1960.  It has been revived so many times and, fortunately, we have this version today – thank goodness. Once again Oliver Twist – his full name – progresses from a home for the poor in The Midlands, to funeral home in London and then on to the streets with Fagin and his pick pocket gang. Of course his life does improve very slowly. Song, music and dance are added complement the acting roles.

Cicada

By Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge and Tim Watts from the book by Shaun Tan. Barking Gecko Theatre. Directed by Luke Kerridge. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth WA. Jul 9- Aug 6, 2022, then touring.

Cicada is a gorgeous World Premiere production, based on the picture book by Shaun Tan. Ostensibly aimed at children and offering the opportunity for young audiences to be more involved in the show with some brilliant educational (and fun) activities in the foyer, this show offers just as much enjoyment for adults (if not more so) in its poignant portrayal of a cicada, serving out its 17-year nymph period underground.

Shrek The Musical

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Book and lyrics David Lindsay – Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Brisbane Arts Theatre. July 9 – September 3, 2022.

This is a monster of a musical based on the myth and legend of one monster that was to be feared. That monster was an ogre and Shrek is such a monster.  Exiled as a youngster, he has been living alone in his swamp until he is invaded by a group of fairytale characters who have been exiled by the evil Lord Farquaad. Shrek goes to get things back to normal and makes friends with Donkey and meets Princess Fiona.  From then on through song mainly, Shrek teaches traits such acceptance, trust, love and belief which are so relevant to the modern audience.

Tarzan

By Phil Collins and David Henry Hwang. Laughing Horse Productions. Directed by Adam Salathiel. Koorliny Arts Centre, WA. July 8-16, 2022

A production with colour and joy, with appeal for the whole family. Laughing Horse Productions’ Tarzan - The Stage Musical is a well-polished, nicely performed, production, playing at Koorliny Arts Centre. Opening on one of the busiest theatrical weekends of the year, Opening Night did not attract the audience it deserved, but this show has a lot to love.

Come From Away

Music, Lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Rodney Rigby and Junkyard Dog Productions. Directed by Christopher Ashely. HOTA, Gold Coast. 9th-31st July, 2022

It’s official. The Gold Coast has been conquered by the show with the weird name. How good is Come from Away, you ask? Well, imagine not one, not two or three, but FOUR standing ovations at the end of the opening night. And this was not a usual first night. Covid ravaged the cast, and the official opening had to be cancelled and moved to Saturday. Media and dignitaries had to be squeezed in with the Saturday night audience. We didn’t care. By the end of the evening, we all felt that we wanted to hug each other.

Bondi Festival

Lyre: A Theatrical Séance, The Village by the kids and I Liked it, But, July 1 – 17, 2022.

The Bondi Festival was wiped out for two years by Covid-19, then the first weekend this year was drenched in torrential rain. So, feeling sorry for Waverley Council (which produces the festival) and the artists, I spent a sunny weekend at three interactive arts events, which were heaps of fun.

With the Bondi Pavilion on Bondi Beach still closed for renovations, the Festival Director Rachel Chant is utilizing nooks and crannies of the suburb, which even I, as a local resident of 25 years, did not know about.

Lyre: A Theatrical Séance

Jane Eyre

Written & directed by Christine Davey. Adapted from the novel by Charlotte Bronte. Skin of Our Teeth at La Mama Courthouse, Carlton. 7 -17 July 2022

Here is a sensitive – and skilful – adaptation of this famous and much-loved 1847 novel.  Christine Davey has selected events, but more importantly, the emotions of this story of Jane Eyre – and turned them into theatre.  The novel is a first-person account of Jane’s life - from harassed and bullied orphan to romantic heroine and finally mother of her own children – and so in this adaptation, our heroine Jane (Tess Parker) herself is our narrator. 

This Is Our Youth

By Kenneth Lonergan. Student Society – University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. 7-9 July 2022

‘Too often, when we see young people on a stage or screen, we get the impression that the writer doesn’t remember what it was like to be young,’ states director George Jankovic, ‘Lonergan does remember – all too clearly – and for better or worse, he has chosen to omit nothing, even the ugly parts…there is a lot of truth in the ugly parts.’ Whilst Jankovic’s conceit may be debateable, particularly writers not remembering ‘what it was like to be young’, nonetheless, he is correct in Kenneth Lonergan’s capturing the voice

La Traviata

By Giuseppe Verdi. Opera Australia. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. July 5 – 29, 2022

Opera Australia’s La Traviata returns to Sydney once again, playing to a captive audience at the magnificent Sydney Opera House. Upon entering the theatre, it is the first notes of the violins that set the tone for this much celebrated opera. La Traviata, meaning ‘The Fallen Woman’, is a tragic tale about a Parisian courtesan, Violetta, who yearns to leave her party-girl lifestyle behind her in favour of true love. But beneath her beautiful, vibrant exterior lies a dark secret.

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