Reviews

The Merry Widow

By Franz Lehar. Opera Australia. Director/Choreographer: Graeme Murphy. Conductor: Vanessa Scammell. Arts Centre Melbourne. November 15 – 25, 2017

When asked to direct a season of The Merry Widow some years ago, I studied various unsatisfactory translations before opting for The Merry Widow of Bluegum Creek, set in the Australian embassy in Paris. It was very funny.

Opera Australia opted for a new translation prepared for Western Australian Opera by Justin Fleming, and it was also very funny. The Pontevedrians all had Australian accents and much of the humour had an Aussie feel, without any mention of kangaroos. It went down well with the opening night audience.

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare. Villanova Players. Directed by Roslyn Johnson. Yeronga State High School, Annerley. November 3-19, 2017

When you go out for Italian but the fusion of a spicy Tex-Mex grabs your senses and pulls you in for a scandalous night of frivolity and belly laughs, you know you’ve just seen Much Ado About Nothing by the Villanova Players.

Roslyn Johnson would have loved to meet Shakespeare. She’s in love with him (that much is clear from her program notes), and as a director, she could have shown him how she accommodated his indomitable characters of Dogberry, Benedick, Beautrice, and Don John without letting their egos run away with the show, well almost.

 

Bogga

A new play by Rob Pensalfini. Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble. Directed by Rebecca Murphy. Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio, University of Queensland. November 8-18, 2017.

You’re in the grip of a compelling piece of Queensland theatre from the moment the bars start rattling under your feet, behind the curtain at your shoulder, and somewhere else - distant but determined.

Bogga, a new piece of theatre from Rob Pensalfini and historian Chris Dawson, is both drama and documentary.

It works because it doesn’t judge. It takes a series of indepth oral histories from prisoners and officers and with a cast of five turns their recollections into the story of Boggo Road Gaol in Dutton Park.

The Secret Garden

Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman. Music by Lucy Simon. Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Eastwood Uniting Church Musical Society. Director Katherine Sharpham, Musical Director Rebecca Hansen. 27th October -11th November 2017.

Eastwood Uniting Church Musical Society’s production of the musical adaptation of the famous novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett was a truly magical interpretation of the fantasy tale for all ages.

Anything Goes

Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. New Book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. Beenleigh Theatre Group. November 10 – 25, 2017

Cole Porter’s Anything Goes is a classic musical comedy of the “they just don’t make ‘em like that anymore” variety. In an era of celebrity worship drawn from every walk of life, this old-fashioned musical feels as contemporary as the day it was written. Under Director Michael Skelton’s eye, three love stories play out to their final, delightful moments.

The Tap Pack

Directed by Nigel Turner- Carroll. The Arts Centre Gold Coast. November 11, 2017, and touring.

I’d like to say Tap is back - but the truth is it never went away.

However, The Tap Pack is back after their triumphs overseas, and it’s been worth the wait.

Little Shop of Horrors.

Book and Lyrics Howard Ashman. Music: Alan Menkin. Gold Coast Little Theatre, Southport. Director: Brady Watkins. Nov 11th – Dec 9th, 2017                                                            

Audrey ll, the blood thirsty, flesh eating plant stars in this staging of the popular cult musical Little Shop of Horrors. The plant’s continual growth throughout the show has pizzazz, making the cast work hard to keep up with its outrageous antics (Audrey ll was created by the North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre and took a year to conceive and construct by Chris Ahern and Damien Jackson).

Stepping Out

By Richard Harris. Directed by Geoffrey Leeder. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA. Nov 10-25, 2017

This fabulous, joyful production is bursting with energy at the Koorliny Arts Centre. A wonderful collection of characters come to life, in a well-directed show with outstanding production values.

This well-known play centres around an adult tap dancing class, led by teacher Mavis (Hannah Harn - a wonderful choice for the role), who nurtures their talents. Koorliny’s incarnation of this show works particularly well because the characters are so expertly created, and the audience become invested in each and every one.

Flaws and All – The Musical

Music & Lyrics: Lucas D. Lynch. Book & Lyrics: Angela Monteagle. Angela Monteagle Production. Director/Choreographer: Maureen Bowra. Orchestrations & Musical Director: Lucas D. Lynch. Princess Theatre, Brisbane. 11 Nov 2017

Flaws and All – the Musical is a dichotomy – a new Australian musical played with American accents, yet there’s nothing intrinsically American about the concept – the unrealistic dating expectations of modern women. Conceived and written by 30-something marketing professional Angela Monteagle (who also wrote the lyrics), this vanity production comes direct from a season at the Adelaide Festival Fringe. All creatives are Brisbane based including the cast who have been culled from performers who usually work for Savoyards and Prima.

Roberto Devereux

By Gaetano Donizetti. Melbourne Opera. Director: Suzanne Chaundy. Musical Director: Greg Hocking. Athenaeum Theatre. November 11 – 18, 2017.

Donizetti’s opera Roberto Devereux is rarely performed, mainly due to the demanding soprano role. This was more than adequately met by local girl made good, Helena Dix, whose international career is on the rise.

A born comedienne, Helena presented a quirky Queen in the first act, with small movements being quite telling. Later she was quite furious when Roberto made it obvious she was no longer his main concern. Her pathos after his death was touching.

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