Reviews

Cheryl Strayed’s book Tiny Beautiful Things was published in 2012. It is a collection of letters she received and answered, anonymously, and unpaid, in an advice column called “Dear Sugar” on an online literary website. Topics ranged from mundane questions to lifetime sorrows.  When it was suggested to Canadian writer and actor Nia Vardalos that it might be adapted for the stage, Vardalos was astonished by the “raw and extraordinary candour” of both the writers of the letters and Strayed herself.

When Shrek, the Musical, was announced as the 2024, 20th anniversary Old Nick Summer School production, a ripple of disaffection went through the community of aspiring actors. A fairy tale? A kids show? Shrek, The Musical, is none of these. This is a well written, well-orchestrated and relevant show, with many interesting and challenging roles for performers.

If In the Heights is, as the directors describe, “a poignant portrayal of the immigrant experience, highlighting the struggles, aspirations and triumphs of the Latinx community” in New York’s Washington Heights, then this production is a jubilant celebration of the many migrants from South American countries – and other parts of the world – who have made their homes in Australia.

Austria sometimes gets mixed up with Australia, and you may have seen T-shirts to that effect with a map of the European country and a kangaroo crossed out.

This production, composed by Vienna-born Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, blends both countries in a different way. Director Kate Gaul and playwright Michael Gow translated the German language opera into Australian English, and inserted dialogue in place of some of songs.