Reviews

The Maids

By Jean Genet. Directed by Sam Russo & Adam Ibrahim. Brunswick Mechanics Institute, 270 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC. 31 January – 9 February 2019

Jean Genet’s 1947 play is about oppression and the sado-masochistic fantasies it gives rise to.  Here it gets another layer in casting the eponymous maids themselves as male.  It’s not the first time the play has been performed like this, but one suspects Genet would approve. 

Love Cycle: Love Chapter 2

Created by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar. L-E-V Dance Company. Sydney Opera House. Jan 31 – Feb 3, 2019

After twenty-two years dancing and choreographing with Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company, Sharon Eyal and her collaborator and partner, Gai Behar, formed L-E-V Dance Company in 2013, (lev is the Hebrew word for ‘heart’). Their work, with musician Ori Lichtik, has been performed at over 200 venues around the world, including a Christian Dior fashion show at a race course outside Paris in 2018, where eight dancers interacted with the models as they showcased the collection.

Become the One

By Adam Fawcett. Lab Kelpie & Gasworks Arts Park. Midsumma Festival. 31 January – 9 February 2018

Top AFL star Tom (Chris Asimos) interviews – or auditions – a cleaner for his high-rise luxury apartment.  In fact, the young cleaner, Noah (Henry Strand), is used to high profile clients – and he’s auditioning Tom.  If Tom’s an arsehole, Noah’s gone.  Tom’s not an arsehole – not exactly - but his sexual attraction to young Noah is palpable - if unadmitted – and we wonder a little that seen-it-all Noah doesn’t see it straight off. 

Orpheus

By Evan Lawson. Choreography by Ashley Dougan and costume design by Jane Noonan. Presented by Forest Collective. Midsumma Festival. Sacred Heart Oratory Abbotsford Convent. 31 January — 3 February, 2019.

The reworking and reinterpretation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has resulted in many variations. The tragic story draws them into the sphere of the underworld of Hades and places them at the hands of the ruthless Calaïs who becomes besotted with the young couple. In this version Lawson explores the more neglected elements of the myth that suggest the presence of same-sex desire between the two male figures. This gives a different emphasis to how Eurydice is trapped in a love triangle that sees her suffer in unspeakable ways.

MDLSX

Motus. Midsumma. Arts House in North Melbourne. Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2019

MDLSX is a featured show, billed under the umbrella of ‘Body’ at this year’s Midsumma program, currently on at the Arts House in North Melbourne. This extraordinary show gives audiences a rare opportunity to be part of a profoundly experimental and cinematic solo theatre performance.

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business

By Elizabeth Coleman. Gold Coast Little Theatre, Southport. Director: Amy-Louise Anderson. Feb 2nd – 23rd, 2019

Well! The cat is out of the bag! GCLT’s first show of the year is all about what women want and how they justify the means to that end! Elizabeth Coleman hilariously reveals the psyche of the female of the species and Amy-Louise Armstrong has undertaken to share it with us in a bright, frothy production.

Improv Attacks Humanity

Fringe World. Aberdeen Hotel, Northbridge, WA. 18 Jan - 17 Feb, 2019

Improv Attacks Humanity is an improvised show based on the popular card game ‘Cards Against Humanity’. In the first section of the show, the audience use the cards to make 4 premises. These are then improvised by the cast. As the show progresses, the four scenarios are brought together, so that they overlap, influence and combine.

Homophonic!

Performed by 3 Shades Black and compered by artistic director Miranda Hill. Midsumma Festival. La Mama Courthouse 349 Drummond St, Carlton. 31 January – 2 February 2019

Homophonic! is in its 8th year and is dedicated to performing new classical music by queer composers. This is a spectacular event that is determined to celebrate the vibrant and often titillating talent of queer composers and to draw attention to their presence in our culture. Hill is exceptional at highlighting this tradition and narrates the stories related to the compositions in ways that are as intriguing as they are entertaining. Her ability to convey the collaborative energy of this ensemble creates a seamless cohesion in the performance.

Rebel

Highwire. Midsumma Festival. Melba Spiegeltent, Collingwood. Jan 30 – Feb 3, 2019.

Rebel is more than just a fantastic David Bowie tribute show - it traverses boundaries and fuses circus and cabaret performances with fuzzy rock n’ roll energetic style.

Melba Spiegeltent boasts a friendly casual atmosphere where you can meet up for drinks, soak in the ambience and enjoy the show. Rebel is a Midsumma event that offers a fully rounded, packed show for all ages.

DivaLicious - Defying Gravity

Fringe World. Directed by Nicole Stinton. De Parel Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Gardens, Russell Square, Northbridge, WA. 29 Jan - 3 Feb, 2019

DivaLicious - Defying Gravity is the very funny, very clever, latest offering from the dynamite soprano duo - DivaLicious. A wry look at growing older gracefully (or disgracefully for that matter) and defying gravity, this hour long show had the audience giggling throughout, while remaining an absolutely stunning vocal performance.

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