Reviews

Tonsils + Tweezers

By Will O'Mahoney. Jack Rabbit Theatre. KX Theatre (NSW). Jan 12 - 27, 2018

A cast full of energy, with an exciting fast paced formula – a story of a friendship, with humour, fun, and a dark side revealed in the unravelling of the story line.

This excellent cast and production is well directed by Michael Abercromby. A strong ensemble of actors deliver an interesting storyline accompanied by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The audience do not grasp the significance of quotes from Macbeth until near the end of the play.

Meow Meow's Pandemonium

Meow Meow and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. January 22 & 23, 2018

Meow has come a long way since her Sydney Festival shows in the Spiegeltent with a small band. Now she’s in the Opera House Concert Hall with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

Her frequent musical collaborator Iain Grandage is the conductor; harnessing the SSO’s power and intricate playing as much as its fun capacity to match Meow’s madly hilarious cabaret style.

Buried

Two short plays by Xavier Coy. A Wheels & Co Production. Directed by Johann Walraven. Old 505 Theatre, Newtown, NSW. January 17 - 27, 2017.

A short but sweet night out. Xavier Coy’s two contrasting plays The Sandpiper and Smokin’ Joe combine for a light entertaining production.

The Sandpiper was a psychological short play. A visit by Hannah (Amelia Campbell) to a psychologist Amy (Tara Clark) does not turn out as expected. There are mind games and probing by Hannah of her psychologist. It is an interesting piece of writing that left the audience with unanswered questions, wanting more.

Lord of the Flies

By William Golding, adapted by Nigel Williams. Beenleigh Theatre Group. January 19 - February 3, 2018.

Lord of the Flies is an adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, transformed into a chilling, beautiful and hugely entertaining play, directed by Bradley Chapman and lead by some of the biggest talent in Brisbane. Although published over 60 years ago, Lord of the Flies is still one of the most widely read and frequently examined works of 20th century literature. In this theatrical performance, the action is transferred from deserted island to deserted theatre as a group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned.

Shen Yun

Artistic Director D.F. Arts Centre Gold Coast. Jan 20th-21st, 2018. Perth: Jan 24-28. Canberra: Jan 31-Feb 1. Sydney: Feb 7-11. Bendigo: Feb 3-4. Adelaide: Feb 13.

There is something quite “other worldly”, even magical, about Shen Yun as a production, that leads to a string of adjectives starting with E …exquisite, ethereal, excellent, esoteric, exciting.

Son of A Preacher Man - The Dusty Springfield Story.

Performed by Mel Djuric. Speakeasy HQ, Apollo Theatre (Vic). January 18 - March 31, 2018.

Even 19 years after her death, Dusty Springfield remains popular.

The hour-long Son of a Preacher Man - The Dusty Springfield Story includes many of Springfield’s most popular classics: ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’, ‘You’re Just Too Good to be True’, and the titular ‘Son of a Preacher Man’.

Alongside the classics are one or two surprises.

Apart from the performance, it’s the factoids that Djuric shares with the audience that helps you learn about Springfield.

Wicked

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Winnie Holzman. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Young Australian Broadway Chorus. Director: Robert Coates. Musical Director: Andy Coates. Choreographer: Jacqui Green. National Theatre, St Kilda. January 19 - 27, 2018.

This was the third production of Wicked I have encountered. I saw the professional production when it came out, and reviewed a performance by one of the top amateur companies. So how would a company of juniors cope with this demanding musical?

In a word, magnificently!

WALK OF FAME GALA

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre. Festival Theatre. January 19, 2018 at 1pm and 8pm

Adelaide’s Festival Centre has seen the world’s brightest and most glorious stars showcase their work on its various stages since the Centre’s opening in 1973. Names such as Robert Helpmann, Tim Minchin, James Morrison, Rudolph Nureyev and Nancye Hayes are just some of these artists.

Shrek The Musical

Music by Jeanine Tesori, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Adelaide Youth Theatre. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. January 19th-27th, 2018

If you think Shrek is just for kids, think again. This cracking comedy is, of course, based on the 2001 Dreamworks animated film. Set in medieval times, the ogre Shrek, played with a soothing Scottish accent by Andrew Crispe, endears himself to the audience with his crooning voice and gentle hip-swaying as he’s pestered by the camp, flamboyant Donkey (Nathan Stafford) in a performance Eddie Murphy would have enjoyed.

4x4x4 - Know Your Enemy

Directed by Amanda Crewes. The Actors' Hub School and Studio, East Perth. Jan 27-Feb 25, 2018

With the Fringe World Festival just around the corner, a small group of people were given the opportunity to ‘get their fringe on’ early, with a media only preview of 4x4x4 at the Actors Hub.

4x4x4 is a fascinating concept. Almost Repertory Theatre, four actors appear in four different productions over four nights, over four weeks. Patrons can see the four shows over four consecutive nights, or they can show up on each Thursday, for example, over the four weeks of Fringe World, and see four different shows.

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