Reviews

The York Realist

By Peter Gill. Directed by Barry Park. Garrick Theatre, Guildford, WA. July 6-22, 2023

The York Realist is a character driven romantic drama, set in rural Yorkshire. Winner of the Critics Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play in 2002, it comes to WA for the first time under the direction of Barry Park, in a good looking and well-acted production at Garrick Theatre.

Blueback

Adapted by Peta Murray from the book by Tim Winton. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. Directed by Phillip Mitchell. Ellie Eaton Theatre, Claremont Showground, WA. July 1-15, 2023

One of Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s most loved shows returns to the stage these school holidays – playing at the Ellie Eaton Theatre, at Claremont Showground. This generously sized theatre allows for bigger audiences – and Spare Parts use the adjoining pavilion for activities before and after each show.

Mary Poppins

Book by Julian Fellowes, adapted from the stories by PL Travers and the original Disney film. Music and lyrics by Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman, additional music and lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony Drew. Adelaide Festival Theatre, 1 July to 27 August, 2023

It seems impossible to write about Mary Poppins without using the phrase ‘Practically Perfect’. It’s prominent in every promotion for the musical that’s resident on the Festival Theatre stage for almost two months, and is a well-known song that introduces the flying nanny in this production.

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. 

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.