Reviews

Sleeping Beauty

Bonnie Lythgoe Productions. State Theatre, Sydney. July 13 – 22, 2018.

The old ‘Christmas Pantos’ in Sydney introduced many kids to the theatre, but until Bonnie Lythgoe saw the ‘niche’ for a winter holiday show for kids, we have missed out on the fun and cheekiness, music and dancing, colour and audience participation that is at the heart of pantomime.

The Man in the Attic

By Timothy Daly. Shalom & Moira Blumenthal Productions. Eternity Playhouse. 5 - 22 July, 2018

Timothy Daly unearthed this intriguing, true story of a German couple who kept a Jewish man hidden in their attic for two years beyond the end of the War, living off his resourceful work as a jeweller and watch repairer.  Hitler, thought The Jew, had won the war.

The Man in the Attic won Daly the prestigious Patrick White Playwrights’ Award but in the decade since – despite five productions overseas – has never been performed in Australia. Until now.

Philtrum

By Anthea Greco. Directed by Peter Blackburn. North of Eight. The Portable, 3 Dawson Street, Brunswick VIC. 13 – 29 July 2018

Does a ‘normal family’ hold hands and say grace before the evening meal?  The family in Anthea Greco’s new play does.  That this ritual will turn out to be a veneer hiding some cruel and dirty secrets is her point.  The prayer over, patriarch Bill (Stephen Francis) carps and grumbles, and chivvies the kids: the eldest, grown-up lawyer Nikki (Faran Martin) and teen son Tom (Louis Corbett).  Meanwhile, daughter Laura (Tasha Sanders), who has a mental disability, reacts to the continually blaring television.  Christine (Annie Stanford) is the ineffect

The Spinners

Limosani Projekts and Al Seed Productions. Space Theatre. 11-13 July, 2018

Collaborations have the potential to produce wonderful pieces of art. In this production creative minds come together to experiment and blend technical dance and wordless theatre.

The Spinners is the latest work from Victorian College of the Arts graduate Lina Limosani and Scottish director Al Seed.

Limosani is joined on the stage by fellow dancers Kialea Nadine-Williams and Tara Jade Samaya. The trio take on the roles of Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, each a cog in the wheel of humanity. The show is based upon the Moirai, or Fates, of Greek Mythology.

Getting to Know Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Bel Canto Performing Arts. Directed by Katherine Friend. Musical Direction by Justin Friend. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. 13-21 July, 2018

Bel Canto Performing Arts is presenting this cut-down and accessible version of Oklahoma! with 42 young performers aged from 8 to 17.

The show opens with Curly's iconic “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” like the original version. Blake Jenkins’ excellent portrayal, laconic confidence and beautiful voice set the standard for what proves to be an impressive little show.

William Tell

By Rossini. Victorian Opera. Conductor: Richard Mills. Director: Rodula Gaitanou. Palais Theatre, St Kilda. July 14 – 19, 2018.

I was privileged to see the first production in Australia of Rossini’s last opera, William Tell, since 1876. This was a night I will long remember. I recently encountered Semiramide, another of Rossini’s dramatic operas, so I shouldn’t have been surprised at the power of this work.

Deluxe Deluxe and Infamous

Coral Drouyn reviews two of the latest Cirque/Cabaret Productions opening in Queensland this week.

Deluxe Deluxe

Papillon Unplugged

La Petite Grande Theatre, Petrie Plaza, Canberra. 12–22 July 2018

Facing a small auditorium, on an even smaller stage, a friendly welcome of seemingly unrehearsed candour followed by a welcoming song in similar style introduced a range of acts that, if original only in minor details, had the virtue of being unmistakably close up and thereby occasionally a test of audience nerve.

 

The Wild Party

Music & Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa. Book by Michael John LaChiusa & George C. Wolfe. Based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March. Auckland Music Theatre, New Zealand. Directed by Andrew Potvin. 12th – 28th July 2018

“Some love is fire: some love is rust: But the fiercest, cleanest love is lust. And their lust was tremendous.” Joseph Moncure March

Auckland Music Theatre is never shy about presenting confronting theatre and The Wild Party is certainly confronting on several levels.

The whole production looks fantastic. The set design, set dressing and costuming is superb. Set in AMT’s workshop/ building area, the space is gigantic and, with its almost wrap around seating, puts the audience right in the party.

Moments in Time

By Josh Staley. Melbourne Magic Festival 2018. The Secret Room. The Melba Spiegeltent, 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Victoria 11–14 July, 2018.

Josh Staley could be described as an illusionist who is obsessed. His love of Hitchcock cinema, decks of playing cards, suspense, surprise and bananas aid in the creation of a fascinating and amusing show. Staley’s ability to mesmerise his audience not only with his sleight of hand magic but also with his continual banter makes him a very endearing performer.

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