Reviews

The Moors

By Jen Silverman. Siren Theatre Company and Seymour Centre. Director: Kate Gaul. The Seymour Centre, Sydney. 6 February – 1 March 2019

The poster outside the Seymour Centre says I’m about to see ‘a hyper-theatrical and kinky homage to the Brontes’. Jen Silverman’s American take on such a strong part of the English literary cannon should be interesting. How, I wondered, would the Bronte sisters and their bleak, wind-swept moors emerge in this ‘hyper-theatrical’, ‘kinky’ version?

10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew

By Gillian English. Fringe World. Belgian Beer Cafe, King St, Perth. Feb 6-17, 2019

10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew is an hilarious examination of Shakespeare’s play, by a ridiculously qualified, angry Canadian feminist, whom you will absolutely adore. Essentially an hour of brilliant stand-up, this is an argument that it would be almost impossible to refute.

Step, by very funny step, LAMDA graduate Gillian English explains to us why this play should burn, as she shows us all of the things there are to hate about this play, including its misogyny, bad parenting and the stupidity of teen love.

The Baden Street Singers - Whose Note Is It Anyway?

Fringe World. Directed by Lionel Pearson. The Edith Spiegeltent, Yagan Square, Perth. Feb 9-17, 2019

The Baden Street Singers are a champion chorus with national awards to their credit. In this Whose Note Is It Anyway? they showcase not only their amazing vocal talent, but delight their audience with theatresports style musical improvisation, in a fun and interactive show.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Tim Rice. Packemin Productions. Riverside Theatres, Parramatta. February 8 – 23, 2019

There was a tempest of biblical proportions on the evening of the opening night. We drove past countless broken tree branches, flooded roads and downed electrical wiring to arrive at a soggy Riverside Theatre.

And so - when it rained on stage – the thought crossed my mind that it might not be a theatrical effect, but the real heavens opening. If only the storm outside was as gentle and refreshing.

Peggy Lee and Judy Garland

By Jesse Gordon and Ali Bodycoat. Fringe World. The Ellington Jazz Club, Beaufort St, Perth, WA. Feb 6-10, 2019

Playing to a capacity crowd at Ellington Jazz Club, Peggy and Judy is a glorious tribute to the iconic talents Peggy Lee and Judy Garland. Presented by the award winning and supremely talented Jessie Gordon and Ali Bodycoat, it us a delightful hour of top-notch vocal performances.

Dressed in gorgeous, co-ordinating and “dangerous” dresses, and evoking the look and spirit of Peggy and Judy, the pair work beautifully together and have a wonderful rapport, both with each other and with the audience. The duets in the show are excellent.

Go Back For Murder

By Agatha Christie. Therry Dramatic Society. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. February 7 – 16, 2019

Therry are well regarded as providers of varied, quality theatre designed to entertain both a loyal membership audience and the general public. Agatha Christie murder mysteries are renowned as crowd pleasers and it was Therry that successfully won the Australian rights for The Mousetrap, also directed by veteran Director, Norm Caddick, in 2011. It must be noted, however, that all Agatha Christies are not created equal.

Q

Written and Directed by Aleksandr Corke. La Mama – The Courthouse 6 – 10 February 2019

Q is a strong contemplative black comedy about making the most of life.   It makes its point with crystal clarity through looking at the immediate journey of those who have just died.   Excellent ‘post grad’ theatre, it is beautifully produced and well rehearsed – a smooth production.  The acting is even and credible.  All performers have a solid grasp of their characters and work as a team.  A significant amount of the dialogue is complex however performers don’t seem to be daunted or tripped up by this. 

Dance Hall

By Finucane and Smith. Presented by ETCETERA and Canberra Theatre Centre. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre. 7 – 9 February 2019

Blending top class circus feats, performance art, glam burlesque, song, dance, humour, full frontal nudity and a truck load of sequins, Finucane and Smith’s Dance Hall is an exhilarating, gender-bending, surreal, messy, wild, acrobatic extravaganza.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

By Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, and Henry Lewis. Lunchbox Productions, in association with Mischief Theatre. Directed by Adam Meggido. Canberra Theatre. 6–10 February 2019 and touring nationally

The writing team whose debut script brought the house down around The Play That Goes Wrong has gone and done it again.

 

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

By Jim Cartwright. Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Sydney. Directed by Shaun Rennie. Feb. 1-24, 2019

One of Australia’s greatest musical theatre stars, Caroline O’Connor, is the drawcard for this intimate production of the British play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. O’Connor is a force on stage so is perfect to play the overbearing and often-drunk Mari Hoff, mother to the wondrous Little Voice. There are cheers for O’Connor as she enters the stage and launches into tempestuous dialogue.

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