Reviews

Life on Hold Productions’ adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange is very much a passion project for director Sarah Christiner, who has loved the novel for over half her life. This production, which launches the new company, features a script, co-adapted by Christiner and featuring a large cast, with many familiar faces.

At the beginning of this year QSO promised audiences a “newly invigorated and re-imagined” orchestra and that’s what we got - exciting and passionate programs with a wonderful mix of the old and the new. Under Alondra de la Parra’s leadership there’s no doubt the orchestra has gone from strength to strength, audiences are bigger and every concert is now recorded for broadcast on ABC FM.

GJ Productions expertly manages the combination of musical elements with black comedy to maintain the original spirit of the 1988 film. The casting evokes the characters with accuracy while allowing the performers to bring their own style to the parts. The milieu of a typical US high school is meticulously reproduced. The attention to detail in the costumes, staging and accents, combined with the incredible enthusiasm of the performers, produces a vivid and vibrant performance.  

There can be no better day to see Henry V than St Crispin’s Day, the date of which is central to the action of Shakespeare’s play. Blak Yak celebrated the occasion with free crisps for their patrons, and there was a sense of celebration in watching the St Crispin’s Day speech on the 603rd anniversary of its inspiration.