Reviews

Baggage Limit

Peta Morris. Adelaide Fringe. The Bakehouse Theatre. March 9 – 14, 2020

Performer Peta Morris is no stranger to the creative industry; an accomplished singer, songwriter and art educator, she is expanding her talents to theatre performance. Using her vocals, she takes us on a musical journey interweaved with a story close to her heart.

Literally giving birth to herself is a sight you will not soon forget. Dressed in a giant costume resembling a vulva, she is liberated and sets the tone for this brave and confronting presentation.

Wicked Sisters

By Alma de Groen. Stirling Players Inc. The Stirling Community Theatre. Directed by Megan Dansie. March 6 – 21, 2020

It has taken me longer than usual to write this review because I came away somewhat conflicted about Wicked Sisters.

It is an interesting play and it strikes many connecting notes with members of the audience. There are some nice ripostes and some good one-liners which lift the atmosphere and make the audience laugh.

The Wild Unfeeling World

Adelaide Fringe. Lion House Theatre, Hartstone-Kitney Productions, and Holden Street Theatres. The Garden, Holden Street Theatres / Coventry Library Lawns, Stirling. 3 – 14 March, 2020

The Wild Unfeeling World by Casey Jay Andrews is a wonderful and thrilling one-woman show that has been inspired by Herman Melville’s ‘classic’ novel, Moby Dick. Like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Melville’s Moby Dick has surfaced a number of times in this year’s Adelaide Fringe and Festival shows.

Renfield: In the Shadow of the Vampire

By Ross Ericson. Grist to the Mill Productions (UK). Adelaide Fringe. Bakehouse Theatre. 4-14 March, 2020

In this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival there are a number of adaptations of ‘classic’ literary novels, exemplified by Grist to Mill’s productions of Moby Dick,and Renfield: In the Shadow of the Vampire, the latter based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. For some reason it is these two novels in particular that are playing a role in the festival. Why?

The Hipster: A Musical for People Who Don’t Like Musicals

Adelaide Fringe. Sound Bowl Productions. Little Bang Brewing Company, 25 Henry Street, Stepney, SA, 5069. 8-17 March, 2020

Home-grown theatre with a home-grown setting: it’s a relative rarity in Adelaide, so any gesture in this direction by talented companies is welcome.

Tamara Linke has scripted/composed a breezily lightweight musical-comedy in which the plot may be rambling and fairly arbitrary, but the energy bringing it to life in this production is undeniable, which minimises the impact of the flaws and leaves you feeling grateful for the kind of silly uplift that Australia could do with right about now.

Falsettos

Music and Lyrics by William Finn and book by Finn and James Lapine. Theatre and Company. Lennox Theatre Parramatta. March 5 – 14, 2020

Falsettos is a fast-paced whirlwind of a musical that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish. Boasting a score that includes some crazy and hilarious numbers along with ones that pull at your heart strings, the story takes you on the journey of three dysfunctional couples and one 12 year old, who is also on a journey towards his Bar Mitzvah.

Mullygrubs

Adelaide Fringe. Presented by Harry Thompson. The Adina Treasury Tunnels: Square Room at Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide. 7-15 March, 2020.

Just to be clear, there is no direct connection between this show and the (differently-spelled) notorious Network Ten children’s entertainment that was an unforgettable part of a certain Australian generation’s upbringing - and in the end, any tangential significance of the title is fairly thin.

Into the Woods

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine. Savoyards. The Star Theatre, Manly, Queensland. March 7 - 14, 2020.

In Stephen Sondheim’s 90th year it is fitting to celebrate his life and indulge in a performance or two. The Savoyards community theatre group tackle Into the Woods – a sprightly 30-something, having premiered off-Broadway in 1986 – and its 28 musical numbers. This is a show that has attracted more than a dozen major awards for every avenue from writing, music, acting to lighting, set and sound design.

Joni Mitchell’s Daughter

Hartstone-Kitney Productions. Adelaide Fringe. Black Box Theatre. March 8 & 9, 2020

Canadian singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell emerged at a time when the world was trying to find peace amongst political chaos and war. Perhaps that is why we can still relate to the musings of this deep-thinking songstress. Her songs hold true today, because of her lyrics and stripped back interpretations.

Accidental Death of An Anarchist

By Dario Fo. KADS Theatre. Directed by Andrew Watson. KADS Town Square Theatre, Kalamunda WA/March 6-21, 2020

Accidental Death of An Anarchist is an unusual choice for KADS Theatre, perhaps best known for light comedies and farces. While this play is decidedly in the comic vein, Accidental Death of An Anarchist, though fifty years old this year, remains a strong choice - a political commentary that is a little outside the box.

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