Reviews

Gods and Little Fishes

By Richard Sydenham and Jamie Oxenbould. New Theatre, Newtown, NSW. May 31 – Jun 25, 2022

Imagine the grief of a travelling salesman who wins a fortune in the Opera House Lottery, only to see his eight-year-old son kidnapped for ransom and then found murdered in bushland. 

Australia’s first kidnap-for-ransom case in 1960 is the inspiration for this tender and strangely funny new play by Richard Sydenham, who directs, and Jamie Oxenbould, who plays a version of the grieving father.

21 Pornographies

Rising Festival. Arts House, Meat Market, North Melbourne. Jun 1 – 4, 2022.

“If you imagine you are looking into a huge mansion, with endless corridors and halls…” Danish dancer /choreographer Mette Ingvartsen eloquently describes a story with filmic detail, as she walks into the performance space; it is only the beginning of one of her many vignettes.

Galileo

Sydney Choreographic Ensemble. Riverside Theatres Parramatta. 1 - 4 June, 2022

Galileo is a new contemporary ballet by choreographer Francesco Ventriglia, the artistic director of the Sydney Choreographic Centre. Founded by Ventriglia and Neil Christopher   in early 2021, the centre made its mark on the Sydney dance scene at Riverside Theatres in April last year with its stunning production, GRIMM. It returns to Riverside with its latest production that is equally as stunning.

Once

By Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Black Swan Theatre Company of WA and Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Directed by Richard Carroll. Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. May 28- June 12, 2022

Every so often you see a show that absolutely ticks all the boxes and is a complete joy to experience. Black Swan Theatre Company of WA and Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s Once is a beautiful production that touches the soul, and I highly recommend that you stop reading now and go and book a ticket.

Don Carlos

By Giuseppe Verdi. Metropolitan Opera. Sharmill Films. Screening at select Australian cinemas – June 11, 2022.

Don Carlos is an epic production in every way. Verdi’s longest opera, this production comes in at approximately four and a half hours and is presented in its original French instead of the usual Italian, taking the production back to its roots. However, the Met’s claim of presenting the original version is in some doubt. It is more like the five act Italian version sung in French with several additions from the original.

9 to 5 The Musical

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton. Book by Patricia Resnick. Directed by Jeff Calhoun. Lyric Theatre QPAC, Brisbane. 31st May-2nd July, 2022

9 to 5 the Musical is (not surprisingly) a lot like its creator, Dolly Parton. It is Big, Bold and Brassy, Raunchy without being Sexy, Broad but not Deep, Good-naturedly OTT and In Your Face, Self- Aware without being Self-Absorbed, and with a finger on the pulse of how to make money. These are all Dolly Parton. But there’s more.

9 to 5 is also High-Energy, Ball-Busting Entertainment – just like Dolly!

Antigone

By Elena Carapetis, after Sophocles. State Theatre Company South Australia. The Odeon Theatre, Norwood. 27 May — 11 June 2022

Written by Elena Carapetis, Antigone (after Sophocles) is a lot. As it should be, given the strident call to female power the work embodies. Its scope is grand - its themes, many big ideas, ideals and heightened emotion unfold over the 1 hour and 40 minute work.

Theatresports Grand Championships

ImproMafia. Brisbane Comedy Festival. Brisbane Powerhouse. 29 May 2022

The popular, month-long Brisbane Comedy Festival closed at the Powerhouse with the Theatresports Grand Championships, hosted by Siobhan Finniss and Ryan Goodwin from ImproMafia. It was a tense battle between Team Queensland and The Southerners. Team Queensland included seasoned Theatresportspersons, Wade Robinson, Luke Rimmelzwaan, Jaz Robertson, and Carla Haynes, a recent Grand Champion.

21 Forster Street

World Premiere. Created and directed by Kate Walder. Music by John Shortis OAM. Steps & Holes Theatre Co. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 26 May – 4 June 2022

If you go to Domain and look up 21 Forster Street, you’ll find a home as it was just before Kate Waldon sold it in 2019 – a grand house lovingly restored by Kate’s father with a spiral staircase, glorious stained windows, beautiful colours.  Search the Canberra real estate website Allhomes, and you’ll find the house as it was previously. There’s a presence stamped here too; in quirky mezzanine bed nooks, the crazy paved splashback, a tree house and tire swing.

Keeping Up Appearances

By Roy Clarke, based on the 90’s British sitcom. MLOC. Directed by Jane Court and Dean Mitrousis. Shirley Burke Theatre, Kingston Arts Centre, Melbourne. May 25-28, 2022.

After three postponed candlelight suppers due to cancellations, lockdowns and venue restrictions due to Covid, the play Keeping Up Appearances has finally graced the Melbourne stage, where middle class soirées belong. Based on the beloved characters of the 90’s British comedy sitcom, Roy Clark has given us a play within a play.  

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