Reviews

JUST (tricking, annoying, stupid, crazy, disgusting, shocking, doomed) LIVE ON STAGE!

By Robin Goldsworthy. Adapted from the JUST book series written by Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton. Red Line Productions / Arts On Tour. Sydney Coliseum, West HQ. July 4, 2023, then touring.

From the moment JUST (tricking, annoying, stupid, crazy, disgusting, shocking, doomed) LIVE ON STAGE! begins, the audience is in for an unforgettable ride. 

Playwright Robin Goldsworthy has expertly adapted the wildly popular book series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton for the stage, capturing the essence of the books, packing in humour, chaos, and a touch of zaniness. The result is an absolute joy for audiences of all ages.

ADA

Written by: Dora Abraham. Directed by: Laurence Strangio. La Mama Courthouse. 349 Drummond St., Carlton. 5-16 July, 2023

A tsunami of change is upon us with the development of artificial intelligence and this play presents some possible impacts on the entities we are creating at breakneck speed and on human relationships and emotional wellbeing.

Werewolves

Creator: Nicholas Phillips. Bondi Festival. Bondi Pavilion. July 6 – 9, 2023

The audience warning stated that this performance features “mild gruesome descriptions of deaths by werewolves”, and that children under ten should stay away.

The venue for the bloodbath is the sparkling new renovated Bondi Pavilion that is well worth a look around. The performance is in the aptly named high tide room at the back of the courtyard, that has been made dark and brooding with a curtain and spooky classical music. Members of the audience are cosily sat down into a row of chairs facing each other.

Breakfast of Champions

Written by Robert Egan, adapted from the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Theatre Guild Student Society. Little Theatre, Adelaide. 5-8 July 2023

A man sits at a manual typewriter, more in thought than hitting the keys, though the occasional tat-tat-tattat-tat punctuates our pre-show conversations. It’s a smart device to draw us into the world we’re about to experience on stage, which is then pierced when the lights go down and the man addresses us directly.

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.

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