Reviews

A Day at a Time in Rhyme

Written and performed by Jane Clifton. La Mama HQ, Faraday Street, Carlton. 13 – 24 July 2022

Jane Clifton resolved to write a poem every single day across a year.  And she did.  Her show is based on the published anthology of those poems.  First joke: ‘I’ll now read to you all three hundred and sixty-five poems… Lock the doors.’  We laugh – and she’s got us. 

An American in Paris

By George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin and Craig Lucas. GWB and the Australian Ballet. Directed by Christopher Wheeldon. Crown Theatre Perth, WA. July 9-27, 2022

Perth is the last stop on the Australian tour for GWB and the Australian Ballet’s An American in Paris. This production, like its Broadway and West End predecessors, is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, who won multiple awards for this production. Featuring absolutely stunning choreography, this show is also spectacularly staged, and stars Broadway and West End leading actors Robbie Fairchild and Leanne Cope.

Secrets

Created by Sancia Robinson & Nick Steain. 24 Carrot Productions. The Butterfly Club, Carson Place, Melbourne CBD. 11 – 16 July 2022

Everybody loves a good story.  Even more so when you are being let in on a secret – something hidden, shameful – or just embarrassing – and never confessed before.  In this show, five actors who are in turn intriguing or funny or charming or disturbing play many characters who, for whatever reason, want to confide in us.  Why?  Why now?  Why us?  Motives for confession are not disclosed.  Maybe the time is right.  Maybe the secret cannot be held in any longer…  Or maybe enough time has passed so that the painful or the tr

The Addams Family

By Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Zealous Productions. Directed by Michael McCall. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. July 7-10, 2022

Zealous Productions’ The Addams Family returned to the Regal Theatre for a short encore season. Featuring most of the ‘original’ cast, this production was possibly even more slick than its 2021 predecessor, and delighted its audiences.

The Wrong Mountain

Written and directed by Cath Willacy. Cairns Little Theatre. July 1-9, 2022

Mature-aged widow Beth is told by Nicky, her cleaner, that she is too old to be climbing ladders. In defiance of appearing ‘elderly’, she proudly announces to her friends that she is going to climb Mount Everest. Encouraged and in turn discouraged by her close friends, Kaz and Val, Beth begins training for the climb of a lifetime.

Oliver!

Book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Redcliffe Musical Theatre. Director Madeleine Johns. July 8 – July 17, 2022.

From the time the book by Dickens was published in 1836, the story of Oliver’s life has been a topic of interest and was even more so once it appeared as a musical in 1960.  It has been revived so many times and, fortunately, we have this version today – thank goodness. Once again Oliver Twist – his full name – progresses from a home for the poor in The Midlands, to funeral home in London and then on to the streets with Fagin and his pick pocket gang. Of course his life does improve very slowly. Song, music and dance are added complement the acting roles.

Cicada

By Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge and Tim Watts from the book by Shaun Tan. Barking Gecko Theatre. Directed by Luke Kerridge. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth WA. Jul 9- Aug 6, 2022, then touring.

Cicada is a gorgeous World Premiere production, based on the picture book by Shaun Tan. Ostensibly aimed at children and offering the opportunity for young audiences to be more involved in the show with some brilliant educational (and fun) activities in the foyer, this show offers just as much enjoyment for adults (if not more so) in its poignant portrayal of a cicada, serving out its 17-year nymph period underground.

Shrek The Musical

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Book and lyrics David Lindsay – Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesori. Brisbane Arts Theatre. July 9 – September 3, 2022.

This is a monster of a musical based on the myth and legend of one monster that was to be feared. That monster was an ogre and Shrek is such a monster.  Exiled as a youngster, he has been living alone in his swamp until he is invaded by a group of fairytale characters who have been exiled by the evil Lord Farquaad. Shrek goes to get things back to normal and makes friends with Donkey and meets Princess Fiona.  From then on through song mainly, Shrek teaches traits such acceptance, trust, love and belief which are so relevant to the modern audience.

Tarzan

By Phil Collins and David Henry Hwang. Laughing Horse Productions. Directed by Adam Salathiel. Koorliny Arts Centre, WA. July 8-16, 2022

A production with colour and joy, with appeal for the whole family. Laughing Horse Productions’ Tarzan - The Stage Musical is a well-polished, nicely performed, production, playing at Koorliny Arts Centre. Opening on one of the busiest theatrical weekends of the year, Opening Night did not attract the audience it deserved, but this show has a lot to love.

Come From Away

Music, Lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Rodney Rigby and Junkyard Dog Productions. Directed by Christopher Ashely. HOTA, Gold Coast. 9th-31st July, 2022

It’s official. The Gold Coast has been conquered by the show with the weird name. How good is Come from Away, you ask? Well, imagine not one, not two or three, but FOUR standing ovations at the end of the opening night. And this was not a usual first night. Covid ravaged the cast, and the official opening had to be cancelled and moved to Saturday. Media and dignitaries had to be squeezed in with the Saturday night audience. We didn’t care. By the end of the evening, we all felt that we wanted to hug each other.

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