Reviews

Idomeneo

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and libretto by Abbé Giambattista Varescort. Presented by Victorian Opera and Opera Australia. Directed by Lindy Hume, conducted by Benjamin Bayl. Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda. 4 – 8 July 2023.

This is an ‘opera seria’ where Greek myths are reimagined through the lens of the Enlightenment period. The references to the awesome power of nature and the incredible emotional impact this has on the characters are all profoundly explored in this complex text. Set during the Trojan War, Idomeneo (Steve Davislim) challenges the commands of the God Neptune (Simon Meadows) and this results in a reign of natural terror on the kingdom.

Brontë

By Polly Teale. Genesian Theatre Company. Directed by Barry Nielsen. 1st-22nd July, 2023.

“Time wears away… I feel as though we were all buried here. I long to travel, to work, to live a life of action”

Rockin’ Robin

By Judith Prior. Primadonna Productions. Directed by Carole Dhu. Pinjarra Civic Centre, WA. June 30 - July 1, 2023

Primadonna Productions rocked the Pinjarra Civic Centre with its vibrant production of jukebox musical Rockin’ Robin. Performed by a young cast, the story centres around young Maddie and her love interest Will, who during a Rock Eisteddfod rehearsal are magically transported in time and place to Sherwood Forest, at the time of Robin Hood.

Featuring some familiar popping tunes that had the audience tapping their feet, this fun little tale was well told and beautifully sung by this strong and keen young ensemble.

The Truth

By Terry Pratchett. Roleystone Theatre. Directed by Bradley Keith Towton. City of Gosnells, Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie, WA. June 30 – July 8, 2023

As Roleystone Theatre anxiously await the completion of their new home, their latest production, Terry Pratchett’s The Truth, is being performed at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre. Terry Pratchett plays tend to have somewhat of a cult following and this production is attracting very healthy audiences.

The Snow

By Finegan Kruckemeyer. Barking Gecko Theatre. Directed by Adam Mitchell. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA. June 30 - July 15, 2023

The snow is the World Premiere, family theatre piece that combines live action, puppetry, and projections to tell a beautiful fairy-tale like story, that will be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

GREASE: The Musical

By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Millennial Productions. The Claver Theatre, Brisbane. 30 June to 8 July 2023

Summer nights have come to Brisbane early with a refreshing and vibrant production of GREASE. If you’ve never seen the original 1971 stage musical (remembered by most as the 1978 film) then you have a treat in store with Millennial Productions’ version showing for a short time in Brisbane. Sure, the storyline about 1959 greasers at Rydell High is a little outdated, but the stage version is much better than the film because there are more songs, and they are more evenly shared — in this case by a superb cast of performers.

Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back

Enmore Theatre. July 1, 2023

Even the police turned up for Reuben Kaye, guarding us all outside the Enmore Theatre as we were frisked on arrival for his show, The Butch is Back. 

My Old Lady

By Israel Horovitz. Presented by Heidelberg Theatre Company, directed by Maureen McInerney. Heidelberg Theatre Company, 36 Turnham Ave Rosanna. 30 June – 16 July 2023.

Israel Horovitz is a writer who clearly believes in the stabilising force of destiny. He brings together characters who are incongruously placed in some very unusual social circumstances. He overturns a range of notions that would dictate social decorum to prioritise a human instinct to naturally form bonds with those whose shared history and connections cannot be denied. In fact, this is depicted as holistically healing and gratifying.

Just a Boy, Standing in Front of a Girl

By Jane Miller. 15 Minutes from Anywhere. Fortyfivedownstairs. 29 June – 9 July 2023

The title, of course, is a riff on the famous speech Julia Roberts makes to Hugh Grant in the movie Notting Hill.  She is asking him to love her.  He’s too scared.  Just a Boy, however, is adapted from Euripides’ Medea (461 BCE).  It puts this endlessly fascinating immortal horror story into a comedy cartoon sit-com contemporary setting. 

Skyduck: A Chinese Spy Comedy

Writer/Performer Sam Wang. Director Aileen Huynh. Riverside Theatres Parramatta. June 29 – July 1, 2023

Advertised as “Think Chinese Top Gun meets 007 with a J-Pop backing track!”, Skyduck is not your usual comedy. In fact, there is little that is ‘usual’ about this production – except for the fact that it is ‘theatre’ in the very broadest sense of the word. It uses a multitude of old and new theatrical devices, from puppets to projections, and plot, described as “a rollicking tale of international espionage”, mixes features of theatre of the absurd with commedia dell’arte and musical theatre.

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