Reviews

Biographica

Composer Mary Finsterer. Libretto Tom Wright. Lyric Opera of Melbourne and Theatre Works. Theatre Works, St Kilda. 22 September – 1 October 2023

This magnificent, moving, almost magical production tells the story of Renaissance polymath Gerolamo Cardano (1501 – 1576) – a nexus of human tragedy, science, religion, medicine, superstition and memory.  Why should we be interested – and indeed touched and gripped by Cardano?  Because this is an intensely human story about the juxtaposition of great achievement against human frailty and loss.

It takes us inside the mind of this troubled genius via a wondrous combination of music, voices, images and poetic rhetoric.

Stylebender

In cinemas nationally from September 28, 2023.

I must confess to knowing little about kickboxing, but the combination of kickboxing and dancing was too much to resist. I was not let down, Stylebender is a compelling documentary that follows kickboxer Israel Adesanya through the ups and downs of his childhood and career, tapping into masculinity, bullying, mental health and the art of fighting and dance.

Sweet Charity

By Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields. Roleystone Theatre. Directed by Chloe Palliser. Armadale Town Hall, WA. Sep 15-23, 2023

Sweet Charity was a sweet choice for Roleystone Theatre. Originally slated to be one of the first productions in their new theatre, with the rebuild yet to be finished, the show was staged in the Armadale Town Hall. This production marked the directorial debut of Chloe Palliser and featured some fine performances.

Vision String Quartet

Presented by Musica Viva. Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Melbourne. Saturday 23 September & Tuesday 10 October 2023, and touring nationally.

Vision String Quartet takes a refreshing approach to the performance of classical music. The members of the quartet Florian Willeitner (Violin), Daniel Stoll (Violin), Sander Stuart (Viola) Leonard Disselhorst (Cello) are energetic and youthful and show true vision in their style. 

Tilt - Programme 2

WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing Arts - Performance Making. The Blue Room, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Sep 20-23, 2023

This performance was the second evening of short performances that were the culmination of three years of study by WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing Arts - Performance Making students. After the high standard of the first evening, I was looking forward to some exciting new work, and I was not disappointed.

By The Bog of Cats

By Marina Carr. Irish Theatre Players. Directed by Lucy Eyre. The Irish Club of WA, Subiaco, WA. Sep 14-23, 2023

By The Bog of Cats, produced by Irish Theatre Players, was a superb production that played for a short season at the Irish Club. Featuring a stellar cast, and superbly directed, this highly emotive Irish drama packed a huge punch.

Eighteen

Written & performed by Caitlyn Staples & Tiana Hogben. The Motley Bauhaus, Elgin Street, Carlton. 22 – 23 September 2023

This is not a show about being eighteen – which I assumed from the two glamorous women on the poster.  It’s about two women who have been BFFs for eighteen years – from 13 to 30.  They met at school and bonded, and they’re still bonded - and this sketch comedy show is made up of their comic reminiscences about their school days and about how – amazingly, despite their marked differences – their friendship has endured. 

Tilt 1

By various authors. WAAPA Third Year Performance Making. The Blue Room, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Sep 14-19, 2023

Tilt is an evening of short performances, the culmination of three years’ work from WAAPA’s Performance Making Students. Run in two short seasons, these annual performances are a highlight on many people’s theatrical calendars and this year is no exception. The first of Tilt’s programmes features 5 very different shows which demonstrate a wealth of acting, writing, choreographic, directing, and design talent.

Is There Something Wrong With That Lady?

By Debra Oswald. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Lee Lewis. 18 September – 14 October 2023

Following the highly successful staging of her play Mr Bailey’s Minder with actor John Gaden in late July, Debra Oswald returns to the Ensemble with this memoir of her life as a writer, featuring... herself. It’s a repeat of the show she gave at the Stables Theatre, Kings Cross, two years ago and is directed by the same excellent director, Lee Lewis.

Human Activity

By Katie Pollock. bAKEHOUSE Theatre Co and Nautanki Theatre. Director Suzanne Millar. KXT On Broadway and Riverside Theatre. 15 Sept – 8 Oct, 2023

Twenty-five gold birdcages hang above a city square bathed in blue pre-dawn light. Like the cages, the space is empty but for a figure shrouded in blankets. As morning light filters in, flowers set against a wall can be seen, and early morning birdsong sounds. But there are no birds.

It’s an eerie beginning to Katie Pollock’s play. But Sydney in the first few weeks of June 2014 was strange, different. The siege at the Lindt Café in Martin Place had left the city on edge, nervy, suspicious.

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