Reviews

The Spooky Men’s Chorale returned to Sydney to a full house at the Everest Theatre at the Seymour Centre last night. After two more performances this month – Blackheath on 16th June, Melbourne Recital Centre on 20th June – they embark on another overseas tour to the UK and Germany. That might seem like some feat, but for The Spookies, it’s a matter of course.

Prolific community theatre composer/lyricist John Wikman’s new musical is set in the world of property development in the 80s. Bigg Developments are planning a world-class resort called Majestic Palms in the sleepy coastal town of Sunny Cove. All they need is council approval, which they eventually get but not before the whole project has been re-thought, re-branded, and become environmentally friendly.

The Sound of Music is a failsafe show with lots of well-known songs and kids as well, and this Babirra production has much to recommend it.

Soprano Greta Wilkinson was a delightful, feisty Maria. Unfortunately they were using the original score written for contralto Mary Martin – both Julie Andrews and June Bronhill sang in higher keys – which did not show her lovely voice to best advantage.

The Kitchen Sink, presented by Harbour Theatre, centres around a likeable working class family in East Yorkshire. Billed as a comedy, it is perhaps more akin to a light ‘kitchen sink’ drama, with minimal plot, but some very interesting characters.

Set in the family kitchen, nicely created by Peter Kirkwood, Grace Hitchin and Brian Mahoney, the set includes lots of ring-of-truth props (Bronwyn Hammond, Jo Sterkenburg and Grace Hitchin), with the titular sink being almost a character of its own.