Reviews

Why, I hear you ask, would a new Australian theatre company present this classic children’s story at this adult venue at 7.30 p.m. the week before Christmas? And there’re no Aussie accents to be heard in this perfect adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 story, beautifully done by Alan Bennett for Britain’s National Theatre in 1990.

This year’s Brisbane Music Festival (BMF) ended on an extreme high with arrangements of Radiohead hits reimagined by James Dobinson. James was to have also appeared in Exit Music to play electric keys and piano, but he received a last-minute call-up to a gig on Broadway! This proves the calibre of talent involved in the BMF, which this year has involved 34 events, with 40 creative people participating, seven Australian Premieres and nine World Premieres.

Brisbane Powerhouse was transformed into a winter wonderland for Cirque Jingle. Presented by JACs Entertainment, and following their highly successful Cirque Bon Bon last year, this show promised everything from magic to aerial artistry and juggling. Catering for the whole family, this 70 minute show was presented in a rather relaxed format, with the magician host interacting with the audience and photography encouraged.

Fresh from his brush with international fame, by coming close to winning the second season of RuPaul’s Drag race, Trevor Ashley is back to earth with his annual adult pantomime.

All the favourite ingredients are back – three eye candy male dancer actors, Trevor in outrageous frocks with a deep cleavage, and gentle cameos from the ageless Carlotta.

The naughty revue opens with three sailor boys prancing onto the stage, dressed to display their achievements in the gym, singing about having “salt on your skin, cum in your hair and faggots below.”