Reviews

A 1997 study by professor of psychology Arthur Aron at New York State University, looked at intimacy between two strangers. As a result of his study, he developed 36 questions that could potentially lead to love. This promise of intimacy lead writers and lyricists Van Badham and Richard Wise to collaborate on this latest production for State Theatre Company.

The Girl on the Train is a modern thriller that was presented by Murray Music and Drama, cabaret style, at the Pinjarra Civic Centre. Well-acted, and presented in an interesting way, this is a good stage version of the popular novel and film.

To encourage the toe-tapping that usually goes along with folk music, Ensemble Q called their latest gig Boots & All, and attired themselves in lumberjack shirts, village green frocks, lederhosen, and stomping boots! And it was a pleasure to see musicians at the top of their game, taking obvious delight in presenting some old and new works to spotlight the folk tradition that has imbued many a composition – classical and modern.

The Importance of Being Earnest’s original opening in 1895 was well received. Unfortunately, it was caught up with Oscar Wilde’s arrest and imprisonment for homosexuality and soon closed.  But the play’s farcical inventiveness and wordy joy has stood as a theatrical beacon and has been performed almost continually since then. This version introduces some background material in extra dialogue and embraces a much more overtly sexual tone with cucumbers and bread rolls delivering rousing performances.