Reviews

White Sun

By Will Dickie. Directed by Peader Kirk. The Blue Room Studio, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Jan 25-Feb 1, 2025

This is the Australian (an International) premiere of White Sun. This one-person show is playing for a short season as part of the Blue Room Theatre’s Summer Season. 

A lone actor, Will Dickie, moves strangely on the stage, continually moving throughout the sixty-minute play. He explains that like David Garrick who pioneered a new style of acting, he comes from Hampton and intends to do the same - with a pioneering acting style.

Aria

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Janine Watson. 24 Jan – 15 March, 2025

Australia’s best-known playwright, soon to be 83, returns to Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre with yet another fine play. Incredibly active still, David Williamson tried out this play in Noosa, Queensland last year and now lets fly in his Sydney headquarters, much to the delight of his many fans.

Milo Hartill: Black, Fat and F**gy

By Milo Hartill. Fringe World. The Rechabites, William St, Northbridge, WA. Jan 23 - Feb 2, 2025

While you may not recognise Milo Hartill’s name, you will probably recognise her face or figure. Star of a hugely popular Google Commercial, underwear model and actress, this young woman from Perth has acting performances with Melbourne Theatre Company and at Sydney Opera House to her credit.

A Body at Work

Written & performed by Frankie Van Kan. Dramaturg & director Maude Davey. Midsumma. Theatre Works, St Kilda. 28 January – 1 February 2025

Frankie Van Kan’s A Body at Work is billed as ‘confessional theatre’.  But ‘confession’ has connotations of shame or embarrassment, and there is not a trace of either in this show.  On the contrary, Van Kan’s aim is to dispel both.

The Simple Gift

By Andre Victor adapted from the novel by Steven Herrick. Fringe World. Directed by Andre Victor. Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2025

The Simple Gift had its World Premiere as part of Roleystone Theatre’s One Act Season in 2024. At the time I described it as one of the best short plays of the year. Now produced by director Andre Victor, it returns with the same cast, for a short season, as part of Fringe World.

Impromptunes - The Completely Improvised Musical

By Impromptunes. Fringe World. The Gold Digger, The Pleasure Garden, Northbridge, WA. Jan 17 - 26, 2025

Impromptunes - The Completely Improvised Musical has been a regular Fringe World feature for over a decade, with the Impromptunes team creating a completely new musical at each performance - performed for the first and last time.

Saccharine

By Emerson Brophy. Fringe World. The Ellington Jazz Club, Northbridge, WA. Jan 23-25, 2025

Emerson Brophy is one of those guys on the internet, with huge followings on YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook. His specialty is satirical songs that poke fun at injustice and the general annoyances of ever day living.

A friendly, warm and engaging performer, Emerson’s songs are clever, on the mark and very funny. He sings beautifully, and accompanies himself on piano and ukelele, surprising the audience with another instrumental talent later in the show.

Penny Shaw - Let’s Do It!

By Penny Shaw. Daisy Productions. Fringe World. The Ellington Jazz Club, Northbridge, WA. Jan 25, 2025

Penny Shaw is perhaps best known in Perth as one half of Divalicious, and recognised as an operatic soprano. Many may also recognise her from her podcast Diary of a (Teenage) Diva - which in turn has become a stage show, also playing during Fringe World.

Charlie Caper Robot Magic

By Charlie Caper. Fringe World. The Gold Digger, The Pleasure Garden, Northbridge, WA. Jan 17 - Feb 16, 2025

Visitors to Fringe World’s The Pleasure Garden could not fall to notice posters for Charlie Caper: Robot Magic on the boards surrounding Russell Square. One of the headline acts at Fringe World, this winner of Sweden’s Got Talent’s show runs for the full length of the Fringe World’s season.

Charlie is a magician who specialises in robotics and technology in line with Arthur C. 

The Soweto Gospel Choir - Hope

Fringe World Festival. The Rechabite, William St, Northbridge, WA. Jan 25-Feb 9, 2025

Despite a packed house at their first performance, I feel that The Soweto Gospel Choir - Hope, is flying under the radar a little at the Fringe World Festival. This outstanding international act, feels more like a Perth Festival choice than a Fringe show, is a great choice for anyone that appreciates some brilliant singing.

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