Reviews

There’s a certain delight in not knowing what you are going to see at the theatre. It’s that special tingle of anticipation in advance and the sense of exhilaration after a performance that sets live theatre apart from all other forms of entertainment.

One of the hits of Melbourne’s 2014 Arts Festival, this little show with its stellar cast and high concepts is poignant, charming, humorous, reflective, humane and an all round delightful piece of theatre.

The style of Looking Glass lends itself to the futuristic, dystopian vision that characterises this production. This play examines strained family dynamics and centres around a young boy, Marcus (Daniel O’Neill/ Thomas Taylor) and his anxiety-ridden parents: Mother (Daniela Farinacci) and Father (Peter Houghton). Voice (Josh Price) provides guidance and instructions for the parents to help them deal with their son. However, they seem to look upon Marcus as though he were an alien and they are unable to genuinely connect with him.

Kindertransport is a based on one of the 10,000 mostly Jewish children evacuated to Britain from Nazi Germany in the months just before the War.

Once on that train, most never saw their parents again.

Diane Samuels’ tender play explores the abandonment felt by Eva, an awkward nine-year-old émigré from Hamburg, the rigid independence and denial in the British woman she becomes, and the bewilderment of her own daughter left out of Eva’s secret.

The heat is definitely on in Riverside, with Packemin’s Miss Saigon proving to be  a powerful, moving spectacle.