Reviews

Milo’s Wake

By Margery and Michael Forde. Richmond Players. Richmond School of Arts, NSW. Nov 9 – 30, 2024.

Conceived from the intriguing premise of a man hosting his own wake, Richmond Players’ production of Milo’s Wake unravels into a vivid exploration of the Irish migrant experience with deep roots in personal narratives.

Milo (Sean Duff), who has spent many years in Australia, has chosen to celebrate his life in a rather unconventional manner. Although, initially, I perceived this as an impressive platform for the actor playing Milo, and it is, each character plays a significant role exploring themes of legacy, family dynamics, and personal growth.

The guy who didn’t like musicals

By Jeff Blim and Matt and Nick Lang (Starkid Productions). Isabella Rose Stage Company – Big Jobs Productions. Elise Bagorski (Direction). Sophie Henderson (Choreography). Gabby Cousins (Vocal Direction). Sheng (Musical Direction) The Hidden Theatre, Hobart. 6th- 9th November 2024

How often does a debut director have a sell-out season before the show even opens? This has been achieved by Elise Bagorski, who assembled the right people in the right venue in the right show.

The Seed

By Kate Mulvany. Black Swan. Directed by Matt Edgerton. Subiaco Arts Centre. Nov 2-17, 2024

Kate Mulvany’s The Seed is not locally written but has extensive ties to Western Australia. This bitter-sweet examination of family, heritage and inter-generational trauma has been re-written for Black Swan’s 2024 Season.

Endgame

By Samuel Beckett. Presented by Three River Theatre. Directed by Amelia Pond. Earl Arts Centre, Launceston. Nov 13-16, 2024

“Life, is suffering.” So say Buddha and philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, for starters. This universal truth works well as a three-word synopsis for Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. 

Aurora

Australian String Quartet. Adelaide Town Hall, King William St Adelaide. Nov 12, 2024

Australia is extremely fortunate to have a string quartet of the calibre of The Australian String Quartet. With its 40th anniversary looming next year, they have amassed an astounding body of work including 80 Australian premiere compositions.

Comprised of Dale Barltrop (violin), Francesca Hiew (violin), Chris Cartlidge (viola) and guest cellist Charlotte Miles, this unique combination of performers share a special bond that brings classical and modern string quartet compositions to Australian audiences in their latest concert entitled Aurora.

The Odd Couple (Female Version)

By Neil Simon. The Guild Theatre, Rockdale. Director: Lyn Lee. November 8 to December 1, 2024

Neil Simon’s original odd couple - mismatched flat-mates Felix and Oscar, along with their poker playing pals - are very familiar, thanks to the hit play, and the subsequent film and TV series (just revived locally this year). Their female counterparts Olive and Florence, and their Trivial Pursuit circle, not so much, yet Simon’s gender-flipped adaptation of his own play is very different, and possibly more poignant.

Your Name Means Dream

By Jose Rivera. Red Stitch Actors Theatre, St Kilda East, Vic. October 26- Nov 24, 2024

In a near dystopian world, an ageing widow rebuffs her robotic carer because it is devoid of human emotions.  Your Name Means Dream, written by Jose Rivera, tackles the problems of Artificial Intelligence and the effects it has on people. He began writing his new play only months before the pandemic, back in 2020. 

Oscar

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon. Synopsis by Christopher Wheeldon and Joby Talbot based on an original idea by Alexander Wise and Christopher Wheeldon.Composer: Joby Talbot. Australian Ballet. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House / Tubowgule. 8 - 23 November 2024

Christopher Wheldon’s full-length narrative ballet about the life and work, loves and gay martyrdom of Oscar Wilde leaps beyond the usual heteronormative stories of the Australian Ballet. 

Artistic director David Hallberg looked especially proud at Sydney’s opening night, even as he was gently hosing down any conservative reaction in the audience.  A few rows left but almost all were on their feet by the end.

 

The Magic Flute

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Libretto by Kate Gaul and Michael Gow. Presented by Opera Australia, directed by Kate Gaul, conducted by Paul Fitzsimon, performed by Orchestra Victoria and Opera Australia Chorus. The Playhouse, Geelong Arts Centre 9, 12, 14 & 16 November 2024.

This opera entails a highly fantastical story that puts its characters on somewhat strange and adventurous paths. This leaves the opera very open to interpretation and to the imagination. Galvanising its disparate elements can be a challenge and the approach to this production seems to indulge and even accentuate its differing and incongruous parts.

Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy

Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner. Presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live, Shake and Stir and Power Arts in association with Jamie Wilson. Directed by Bill Buckhurst. Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne. 3rd November 2024 - 26th January 2025.

Based on the Touchstone Motion Picture Sister Act (Emile Ardolino, 1992), this musical stage production capitalises on all appealing elements of the original film.  Casey Donovan captures Deloris Van Cartier perfectly. She preserves both the crass and heartwarming aspects of the character with exactly the right measure of impishness. The audience is always on her side regardless of her brashness or her dubious lifestyle. Donovan also woos the audience by emphatically creating her own singing style for the part.

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