Reviews

Can the worlds of opera and cabaret comfortably co-exist and intermingle? Antoinette Halloran and her instrumental accompanist Patrick Lawrence have attempted to prove that they can, but their undeniable talents and efforts have yielded mixed success here.

You know you’re in for a treat when you’re about to see a show starring the grand dame of Australian musical theatre, Nancye Hayes and Australia’s leading song and dance man, Todd McKenney. With over 85 years of Australian show biz history between them this show exceeds expectations and then some. It can only be described as a slick, warm, funny, endearing and engaging class act, a wonderful trip through Australia’s music theatre history over the last 50 years.

Victorian Opera appears to produce more shows for its younger audience than for adults. Fortunately Hansel and Gretel, quite a long opera, was reduced to just under an hour and worked well.

The young cast did sterling work. Cleo Lee-McGowan and Shakira Dugan were the two children, and very convincing they were. Kirilie Blythman played the mother, frustrated by her disobedient children. Stephen Marsh was the father, singing beautifully, but I was expecting him to be more tipsy on his entrance.

The Modern Maori Quartet met when they sang and played together at garage parties where they enjoyed it so much they decided to put on a suit and try their luck in other venues. I, like the rest of the audience am very glad they did.

They have an engaging and open approach with their audience and a tight musical sound. The quartet mixes Maori language songs with classic numbers and some great crooning numbers.