By Matthew Arnold, Samuel Ireland and Max Gipson. Songbird Theatre Company. Fringe World. Directed by Matthew Arnold. Biology, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Feb 1-6, 2022
Freeze, the debut performance from Songbird Theatre Company and augers well for a bright future for the fledgeling organisation, which aims to tell “captivating, poignant and visually striking stories”. This production certainly achieves those aims.
Created by Bree Kent and presented by the Chronicles of Olympus and Breeze Entertainment. Meat Market – The Cobblestone Pavilion, 3 Blackwood St. North Melbourne, 3-6 February 2022.
Goddesses is a theatrical extravaganza of music, song, dance and circus artistry. This production makes incredibly inventive use of the Pavilion and creates a large-scale spectacular show. The atmosphere is created from the get-go with a red-carpet entrance for the audience. The anticipation for the show is made quite palpable as many are photographed and interviewed before entering the auditorium.
By Noelle Janaczewska. Siren Theatre Co. SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross. February 2 – 12, 2022
Summer may seem to define us in Australia, but Noelle Janaczewska’s new play is a moving, even joyous paean to all things wintry. But it comes with a mournful bite: climate change will make her winter a mere memory.
By Dan Rebellato. Directed by Sarah McNeill. Lit Live / Fringe World. ACES Dress Circle Bar at His Majesty’s Theatre, Hay St, Perth. Jan 31- Feb 5, 2021
Lit Live’s You and Me is a wonderful blend of domestic drama and psychological thriller, expertly performed. Originally written as a BBC radio play, it plays beautifully on stage.
By Nathan Maynard. Belvoir Street Theatre. January 29 – February 20, 2022
The wrenching backstory to Nathan Maynard’s new play is the genocide and exile of so many Tasmanian Aboriginals.
It certainly haunts Palawa man Boyd (Luke Carroll), but for now he’s happy, on country, a leader to his people, and a rock to his irrepressible, pregnant wife (Sandy Greenwood).
Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Vanessa Scammell. Guests: Christopher Lawrence (ABC Classic FM) & Amanda Lea Le Vergne (Vocal). Concert Hall, QPAC. 28/29 January 2022
Everything was alright with the world (despite wearing masks), as we sat back and listened to the mellifluous tones of Anthony Warlow doing what he does best – sing show songs.
By John Cariani. KTPerformance Collective. Fringe World. Directed by Kristen Twynam-Perkins. Biology, The Girls School. Jan 25-31, 2022
Almost, Maine was presented by Roleystone Theatre at Roleystone Hall in May 2021. This version, by KTPerformance Collective at the Girls School, for Fringe World, features the same director and many of the original cast, but feels like a very different production.
Written and directed by Courtney Hough. Fringe World. Chemistry, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Jan 25-30, 2022
When One Door Closes is a feel-good cabaret - written, directed, and performed by Courtney Hough - that played in Chemistry at the Girls School. A beautifully performed look at dating, the experiences of the last two years and modern life, it features Courtney’s outstanding singing and a smattering of clever comedy.
Written and Directed by Helah Milroy. The Blue Room Studio, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Jan 27 - Feb 3, 2022
Conversations With a Fish is an interesting concept. In five short vignettes, fish face a variety of dilemmas, and the audience are asked to decide their fate. A look at the human experience through the eyes of the fish.
By Edward Albee. State Theatre Company South Australia. Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide. 27 Jan – 6 Feb 2022.
Known for his challenging and controversial works, Edward Albee’s widely acclaimed Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, winner of a 1963 Tony Award, first challenged audiences when it arrived on Broadway in 1962 and has been reinterpreted by director Margaret Harvey, through a new and unique Australian lens. Albee was a deeply political writer who commented that he liked plays to be “useful, not merely decorative”.
