Reviews

Grace

By Katy Warner. Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, East St Kilda. 1-27 February 2022

Emma (Kate Cole), blocked writer of fairy tales, is in Copenhagen to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Award for children’s fiction.  She’s brought her Mum, Beth (Gillian Murray) along because she thought it would be nice and Beth would enjoy it.  She is, of course, wrong.  As they look over their luxurious (if claustrophobic) hotel room, we realise Beth is, apparently, an Eeyore, a faultfinder, a contrary old leftie, fearful, and suspicious of just about everything, including this award with which her daughter is about to be honoured.

And She Would Stand Like This

By Harrison David Rivers. Antipodes Theatre Co. Meat Market, North Melbourne. 3 – 5 & 7 - 12 February 2002

At the end of Pat Barker’s, The Silence of the Girls (the prequel to her version of Women of Troy), the female slave narrator, Briseis, asks, ‘What will they make of us [Trojans], the people of [the] unimaginably distant [future]? …they won’t want the brutal reality of conquest and slavery… the massacre of men and boys, the enslavement of women and girls.’ 

Sweating Like a Stuck Pig

By Ella Randle. Directed by T. Mutta Beilby. Fringe World. Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley. Feb 2-12, 2022

Sweating Like a Stuck Pig is a slightly crazy little story with some serious themes and big laughs. Sam, missing an old friend, dabbles with a Ouija Board and accidentally summons an ghost from the 1980s that he can’t return to the after-life.

Presented by T. Mutta Beilby at the Hayman Theatre for Fringe World, this is a rollicking romp that goes to some odd places including a beautifully staged psychedelic journey (which uses some of the most beautifully controlled projection that I have seen in a small-scale production). 

 

Dyad

Written and directed by Jordan Valentini. Fringe World. After Dark Pier, St Perth, WA. Feb 4-7, 2021

The Dyad is a land of shadow where forgotten things rot away. When her companion is pulled into the shadow, Nox needs to journey to this land of shadow to save her. An intimate and wordless production that mixes shadow puppetry and movement to create a strange and fascinating world.

Amazing use of shadow, perspective, and physical theatre, is backed with strong sound design from Jono Battista, to create a pacey adventure story that keeps its audience enthralled.

Cash Out of Hand: A Convict Tale

Fringe World. Irish Club of WA, Townshend St, Subiaco, WA. Feb 4-6, 2022

Cash Out of Hand: A Convict Tale is a moving blend of the story of Irish convict Martin Cash, with traditional Irish music. Playing to healthy audiences at the Irish Club, this was a moving and entertaining hour.

Based on Martin Cash’s 1870 ghost written autobiography, it tells of Martin’s conviction, his transportation to the colony of New South Wales, a move to Van Diemen’s Land and a second sentencing and punishment at Port Arthur. Appropriate music is performed throughout.

Guys and Dolls

By Frank Loesser. Old Nick Co, Hobart Theatre Summer School, Tasmania. Mount Nelson Theatre. Director: David Thomson. Vocal Coach: Samantha Hammersley. Musical Director: Andrew Castles. Choreographer: Caitlyn Carnaby. Lighting: Rory Grinham. Design: Christopher Oakley. Costumes: Karen Fahey. February 4 – 12, 2022

Guys and Dolls, in the hands of first-time director David Thomson, was a gamble that returned in spades.  His goal was to pay homage to the ‘golden age’ of musical theatre whilst challenging the moments in the script and story that, because of its age, failed to reflect where we are now as a society. Much of the inherent sexism of the original book has been subtly challenged without sacrificing the humour or vitality of the show.  The female protagonists come across as more empowered and the males are called out for their sins.

Death of a Salesman

By Arthur Miller. Produced by Hearth Theatre and directed by Christopher Tomkinson. fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, 3 - 27 February 2022.

This is an astonishing production of a canonical text that rises to all the challenges presented by such an important play. The artistic and aesthetic choices are all designed to allow an interpretation that preserves the historical and universal elements of this story. The result is a detailed, refined and nuanced production that immerses the audience deeply into this poignant universe.

Murder on the Midland Line

Written and directed by Courtney Lee. Fringe World. The Library, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Feb 1-23, 2022

Murder on the Midland Line is later in the evening silliness that is best consumed after a few drinks. An unlikely story, with even more unlikely characters, it is sprinkled with some comedy gems and the capacity audiences are clearly having a good time. 

Bridezilla

Written by Danielle Fynn, with music by Tim Newhouse. Fringe World. Directed by Danielle Fynn. The Sewing Room, Wolf Lane, Perth. Feb 2-5, 2022

Bridezilla is a World Premiere musical playing for a very short run as part of Fringe World, at the Sewing Room. Proving very popular, this cheesy but fun little bop of a musical is simply good fun and features a stellar cast.

Dirt

By Angus Cameron. Fringe World. Directed by Bronwen Coleman. Home Economics, The Girls School. Jan 28-Feb 5, 2022

Dirt, presented by Patrick Livesey for Fringe World, is a moving, passionate, and extremely powerful piece of drama, that is one of the most compelling pieces of theatre that you will see at Fringe World (or at any time this year).

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