Reviews

Hay Fever

By Noël Coward. Directed by Barry Park. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth WA. Sep 24-Oct 9, 2021

Old Mill Theatre’s production of Hay Fever shows that Noël Coward is still a great seller, with this show, advertised as “the well-loved comic masterpiece”, all but sold-out before it opened.

Z6QCQ6 Code of Rituals

Written and directed by Bello Benischauer. Existence Theatre. Victoria Hall, Fremantle WA. Sep 22-25, 2021

Existence Theatre’s World Premiere of Z6QCQ6 Code of Rituals is, appropriately, a highly ritualistic piece of theatre. Intimate and immersive, with audience involvement, it combines movement and dance with physical theatre and asks its audience to “witness and experience what it is like to feel”.

The Drowsy Chaperone

Music & lyrics: Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. Book: Bob Martin & Don McKellar. Savoyards. Director: Robbie Parkin. Musical Director: Benjamin Tubb-Hearne. Choreographer: Natalie Lennox. Star Theatre, Manly, Qld. 25 September – October 9, 2021

The ‘Man in the Chair’ character in this musical confection reminds us that good musical theatre should be ‘short, free of actors who roam the audience, and blessed with a story and a few good songs that will take me away.’ The Drowsy Chaperone does just that, and puts a smile on everyone’s face in the process.

The One Who Planted Trees

By Amberly Cull and Nick Pages Oliver. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Fremantle, WA. Directed by Philip Mitchell. Sep 25-Oct 9, 2021

Rather than attend the official Opening Night of The One Who Planted Trees, I had the pleasure of attending a schools matinee with many dozens of children, all of whom appeared to be enraptured by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s very first musical.

Students from Sawyers Valley Primary are lending their very informed voices to this review. Yr 2-6 students attended the performance as part of their Performing Arts and Sustainability studies.

Evita

Music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Lyrics by Tim Rice. The Gilbert & Sullivan Soc. of SA Inc. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. Sept 23 – Oct 2, 2021

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA Inc are presenting one production in 2021 and what a production it is! The iconic musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice centres on the life of Argentine political leader and second wife of Argentine President Juan Peron and her rise from impoverished beginnings to become Argentina’s answer to Princess Diana.

It may be sixty-nine years since Evita’s death, but the musical’s themes of duality, politics and female empowerment still resonate.

Tilt 2

Written and directed by WAAPA 3rd Year Performance Making Students. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Sep 15-18, 2021

Tilt 2 is the second part of a performance series by WAAPA Performance Making students, and is their final independent project as they near the end of their studies. The second program features 6 performance pieces, all written, devised, directed and performed by the students.

The Addams Family - Young at Part

By Marshall Brickman Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa. Stirling Players. Directed by Fran Gordon. Stirling Theatre, Morris Pl, Innaloo, WA. Sep 17- Oct 2, 2021

Young at Part scripts are shortened versions of loved musicals, adapted for younger performers. Stirling Players’ version of The Addams Family might be slightly cut down, but it still packs a big punch - a strong production that is very nicely performed.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Music: Dan Gillespie Sells. Lyrics & Screenplay: Tom MacRea. Director: Jonathan Butterell. Streaming on Amazon Prime from 17 Sep 2021

The movie version of the West End London hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is like a breath of fresh Yorkshire air and a massive feel-good experience.

The real-life story of Jamie Campbell, a 16 year-old teen from Sheffield, England, and his twin desires to become a drag-queen and go to the school prom in a dress, has echoes of Billy Elliot and The Prom, and a million gay clichés we’ve seen countless time before, but it still manages to inject humor and reality into the cliches thanks to its excellent cast.

Tilt 2021 - Program 1

Written and directed by WAAPA 3rd Year Performance Making Students. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Sep 15-18, 2021

Tilt is WAAPA Performance Making students’ final independent project after three years of study, and is an opportunity for graduating students to take full responsibility for their creative decisions. Two programs of work are being presented over a two week period, with the first program featuring six pieces of work.

Rats’ Tales

By Carol Ann Duffy. Curtin Theatre Arts. Directed by Leah Mercer. Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Sep 14-18, 2021

Curtin Theatre Arts’ production of Rats’ Tales was a highly engaging and unusual evening of collective story telling. A warm and well co-ordinated ensemble piece, it was a fun theatre, with appeal for all ages.

A group of young people gather together to tell stories. With the feel of travelling players, they bounce off each other to collectively tell seven stories - one traditional, The Pied Piper, then six original tales.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.