Reviews

My Fair Lady

By Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Alexandra Theatre. Directed by Natalee Graveson. The Regal Theatre Subiaco, WA. Jun 29 - Jul 2, 2022

Alexandra Theatre have gone big and bold with their production of My Fair Lady, with a huge set, a cast of 38, an orchestra of 22 and literally hundreds of costumes. There are some excellent performances, and the audience are clearly drawn into the story.

And Then There Were None

By Agatha Christie. Directed by Robrecht Herfkens. Roxy Lane Theatre, Maylands WA. June 17- July 3, 2022

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is a well-structured, nicely twisted murder mystery, without a detective. With ten characters stranded on an island, an unknown killer is picking them off one by one.

Carnival of the Animals

By C!RCA. Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 29 June to 2 July 2022

Brisbane’s C!RCA ensemble’s Carnival of the Animals is an energetic and fun show for children and the young at heart of all ages. It showcases an incredible array of human talents – from juggling to jumping, tumbling and human towers to trapeze tricks – and introduces us ingeniously to a range of animal characters: favourites of all types, including kangaroos, elephants, dinosaurs, dogs – and even the dog’s fleas!

Thai-riffic

By Nathan Luff, adapted from the novel by Oliver Phommavanh. Director: Lisa Freshwater. Riverside Theatre. 28-29 June, 2022

Clutching their signed copy of Thai-riffic, excited children streamed into the Riverside theatre to see Nathan Luff’s adaptation of book about … well … identity. family, belonging, adjusting and accepting. All are there in this heart-warming story that begins as Lengy takes his first tentative but determined steps into Year 7.

Rock of Ages

By Christopher D’Arienzo. Goldfields Repertory Club, Kalgoorlie, WA. Directed by Lauren Chapman-Holle. Jun 17 - Jul 23, 2022

Goldfields Repertory Club’s Rock of Ages has a live music venue vibe, more akin to a rock concert than a musical, with its audience drinking throughout, singing along, and responding to the show with great enthusiasm. 

Eclipse

National Institute of Circus Arts. Conceptualised and devised by: Sally Richardson and Performers. Directors: Meredith Kitchen and Benjamin Sheen. 10-18th June, 2022

A strong opening with a post-apocalyptic theme began a joyous performance of well-honed skills. The performance space was defined by a patchwork tent and circular mat. As the tent was lifted a short “outsider” narrative was played out on the Chinese pole with daring moments performed with cheeky assurance. Costumes added to the narrative of changes in the world with suggestions of burdens and excess.

Passing Strange

Book and Lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, created in collaboration with Annie Dawson. Presented by Antipodes. Directed by Dean Drieberg, Meat Market Stables, 3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne. June 24 - July 10, 2022.

Passing Strange is a semi-fictionalised musical account of the real-life story of American singer-songwriter and author Mark ‘Stew’ Stewart. This incredibly delightful production combines powerful music and performance to tell a moving story of self-discovery. The story is set across a variety of locations including Los Angeles, Paris and Berlin and charts the process of the central character’s journey to finding his musical sound. The approach is light-hearted and captures a subtle tone of irony and which emphasises a cheerful and fun-loving mood. 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

By Anne Brontë. An adaptation by Emme Hoy. Sydney Theatre Company. Directed by Jessica Arthur. June 25 - July 17, 2021

First published in 1848, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall caused a sensation with its realistic depiction of domestic abuse and a capable talented woman taking control of her own life.

Unlike many novels set in the period where wealthy people – with no employment - wait around for someone to visit them, or spend their day brooding about the next party, here was a real story about alcoholism and debauchery.

Brilliant Traces

By Cindy Lou Johnson. Ad Astra, Brisbane. 16 June to 8 July, 2022

Cindy Lou Johnson’s Brilliant Traces is a poetic piece about two lost characters – and it will stay with you long after the one-act play has ended. That is many due, in this production by Brisbane’s indie Ad Astra, to two well-crafted performances by Vanessa Moltzen (as Rosannah) and Kyle McCallion (as Henry).

Talking to the Future

Written & directed by Darryl Emmerson. La Mama Courthouse. 22 June – 3 July 2022

Alfred Deakin was Prime Minister of the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia 1903 – 1904, 1905 – 1908, 1909 – 1910.  Some say Australia’s greatest prime minister.  Playwright Darryl Emmerson is clearly an admirer.  But let’s be clear: Talking to the Future is not a play; it’s a history lesson and a hagiographic one at that. 

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