Reviews

Kimberley Akimbo

Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori. Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company. Directed by Mitchell Butel, musical direction by Kym Purling. Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. 26 July - 30 August 2025.

Kimberley Akimbo is based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire that tells the story of a teenager suffering from a disease that causes her to age four and a half times as fast as normal. It is hard to imagine how such a poignant story could be upbeat, but the music, song and dance in this delightful musical does more than merely tug at the heart strings. Kimberly Levaco (Marina Prior) develops a bond with Seth (Darcy Wain) and they are brought together as misfits. The story is funny, witty and at times subversive. 

Grief is the Thing with Feathers

Based on the novel by Max Porter. Adapted for the stage by Simon Phillips, Nick Schlieper & Toby Schmitz. Co-produced by Belvoir Stret Theatre and Andrew Henry Presents. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir Street. Jul 26 – Aug 24, 2025

Grief, I often think at funerals, can at least be tolerated as a homage to love, of love now lost but relished. For the introverted widower in Max Porter’s novella, here adapted to the Belvoir stage, this grief is an agony, a total out-of-body dislocation of self. 

Songs For A New World

By Jason Robert Brown. ACTiv Elite Theatre Co. The Loading Dock Theatre - Qtopia, Sydney. July 25 - August 2, 2025.

The end of Act One of Jason Robert Brown's now quite legendary song cycle concludes with the words "you don't know me, but you will"—somewhat rather prophetic int the sense of the young performers from all over the world whose careers have been shaped and changed by performing in this glorious night of deeply challenging and engaging material. I would not be surprised if all of the six performers in this Sydney version of the show (there is a Melbourne version about to open as well) find career success in the next few years.

The Marriage of Figaro

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Opera Australia. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. July 31 - 27 – Aug 27, 2025

It is hard to believe but Mozart is said to have composed the music for The Marriage of Figaro in six weeks, setting notes to the opera as fast as the librettist could write them.

There’s no doubt the story rocked Wolfgang’s boat – a complex tale of lust, court intrigue and sexual exploitation.

Pride and Prejudice

Created and performed by Bloomshed. Directors: James Jackson and Elizabeth Brennan. Set Design: Savanna Wegman. Costume Design: Samantha Hastings. Lighting Design: John Collopy. Sound Design: Justin Gardam. Darebin Arts Centre. 401 Bell Street, Preston. 30 July - 10 August 2025

When Pride and Prejudice was written by Jane Austen 250 years ago it launched a critique of the savage social norms and arrangements which meant women’s security almost entirely depended on their marital status. Bloomshed has taken Austen’s narrative about a family with five daughters and some of her scintillating dialogue as a starting point and cloaked them in a vibrant verbal and physical romp backed up by excellent staging, costumes and sound and lighting design.

Wata

Composed by Paul Grabowsky. Conducted by Benjamin Northey. Presented by QPAC and Queensland Symphony Orchestra as part of Clancestry. Concert Hall, 31 July, 2025

At once ceremonial and surprising, ancient and avant-garde, from the first breath of yidaki to the final hush of wind, Wata carried the audience at QPAC on a transformative journey for the spirit. Composed by Paul Grabowsky in collaboration with Yolngu songmen Daniel Ngukurr Boy Wilfred and David Yipininy Wilfred, this powerful work gathered the elemental forces of sound and story into a musical cycle that was less like a traditional concert and more like a ritual of deep listening.

Dear Son

Adapted the book by Thomas Mayo, by Isaac Drandic and John Harvey. State Theatre Company South Australia and Queensland Theatre. Odeon Theatre: Norwood. 26 Jul — 16 Aug 2025

The coldest, bleak winter night came alive at the premiere of the 70-minute State Theatre Company South Australia and Queensland Theatre production of Dear Son. Based on the book by Thomas Mayo and adapted by Isaac Drandic and John Harvey, it is a creative compilation of letters and reflections from 12 invited First Nation fathers and sons.  This groundbreaking celebration of manhood, healing, love and different perspectives is told through real and skilfully creative songs and stories, and delivered by five passionate and proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

The Gospel According to Paul

By Jonathan Biggins. Presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA. A Soft Treat Production. Directed by Aarne Neeme. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth, WA. Jul 23 - August 3, 2025

An evening talking about Paul Keating and his politics might seem an uninspiring choice, but this one-man play, played as an autobiographical performance, is a fascinating historical story that keeps its audience rapt throughout its 90-minute performance.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

By Chrstopher Durang. Presented by Woy Woy Little Theatre. Directed by Terry Collins and Terry Matthews. July 25 – Aug 10, 2024

Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is a delightful mash-up of Chekhovian melancholy and modern absurdity — and this production captures its eccentric heart with warmth, wit, and comic precision.

Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo

By Paige Gibbs from the novel by Tim Winton. Murray Music and Drama. Directed by Ruby Liddelow. Pinjarra Civic Centre, WA. Jul 25 - August 3, 2025

Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo, based on the novel by Tim Winton about a teenage surfer and his family, is set in a fictional town in Southwest Western Australia. Murray Music and Drama’s production is a unique a new interpretation of this fun little show.

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