Reviews

Is it a coincidence or the zeitgeist that we have all at once a series of distinguished and anguished, complex works - about mothers and daughters?  There was the recent And She Would Stand Like This from the Antipodes Theatre Company; there is Grace at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre; and there is the movie adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s The Lost Daughter.  And here we have Betty – like Grace and The Lost Daughter – a story that depends on a series of reveals about the past that make sense about the present

Fabulous Family Felonies is a collection of diverse short plays, all of which at least loosely have the themes of family and felony. Very different in feel, all are well directed and performed.

All performed on a box set, with very distinctive red walls, there is a concerted effort to make each show feel different with decoration and furnishings. The shows share a lighting designer, John Woolrych, who gives a different feel to each play. The same stage manager, Jane Sherwood, helps the shows to transition smoothly and effectively.

Le Sorelle is a world premiere production from Company O. This bilingual production is performed in Italian and English, and while it is not necessary to speak Italian to enjoy this production, it is certainly a wonderful opportunity to exercise your language muscles for those with some Italian knowledge.

Two sisters live together in a comfortable farmhouse in Northern Italy. One of the sisters dreams of beginning a new life with her Australian boyfriend in Australia, but her sister has other ideas.

Jolt Comedy presents The (so that you do not mix her up with all of the others) Jo O’Brien and Little T at the Port Adelaide Naval Association; a very accessible Fringe venue with easy parking and a well-lit, cabaret style venue that is well set up for comedy and smaller performances. Billed as ‘hilarious true life stories’, these two women regale the audience with a vast and diverse range of their funny, and sometimes painful life experiences. Both performers ooze energy and enthusiasm, and the contact with their audience is strong.