Reviews

While protestors descended on the Coalition’s federal election campaign launch at one end of South Brisbane’s Grey Street on Sunday, heroes and revolutionaries from across time were rising up on the other end thanks to the return of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Music on Sundays program.

Delayed by the Brisbane floods, the beloved afternoon music series kicked off its 2022 program with music of fire, passion, and sublimity beyond anything the 100-strong voices down the street could replicate.

1934.  Duluth, Minnesota, in the depths of The Great Depression.  Young would-be lovers, Kate (Elizabeth Hay) and Gene (James Smith) break up: she’s leaving town.  They argue, regret things they said, get angry, and Gene lies.  Playwright Conor McPherson writes this direction in the text of his musical play:

She turns away.  GENE watches her.  As the music starts and they sing, they could dance and even kiss.  We see what their souls are doing despite everything that’s just been said.

If you’re longing for something to do in Melbourne this week, fear not, Lauren Edwards is here to save you from post-Comedy Festival withdrawals, as well as your own unrealistic hopes and dreams. In her latest show, Everything Is A Lie, Edwards shares how, after another year of lockdowns, health issues, environmental and political crises, she’s given up, and you probably should too.

CLOC has found real synergy with this musical. The overall look and feel of the show emphasise the historical and social context by highlighting the "Goodfellas (Scorsese 1990)" quality of the story. This gives the production a very clear and distinctive style which is executed with consistency and confidence.