Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. September 15 & 16, 2023.
Max Bruch’s first major orchestral work was surely the start of a glittering career in 1868.
Europe’s most famous violinists flocked to play his Violin Concerto, and still do, but almost all his further works were ignored. All the rights to his celebrated concerto he’d sold for a pittance, and at the age of just 30 Bruch’s long career was on the way down.
Maestro and ever-popular conductor and host Guy Noble was in full flood for this performance, despite his flu, conducting his own choice of works as a final gesture to this farewell concert. After eighteen years at the helm of the Music on Sundays concerts, it was indeed a memorable occasion for all concerned, orchestra and audience alike, and befitting that he had the opportunity to bring to life a selection of his 'desert-island-discs' together with his family of musicians, the QSO.
Book and lyrics by Eric Idle. Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. Free-Rain Theatre. Directed by Jarrad West. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 12—24 September 2023.
Those familiar with Monty Python and the Holy Grail will have a pretty good idea of what they’re in for when they gird their loins and enter Spamalot: lunacy; a mad plot (if indeed there is one); a homicidal rabbit; dreary, head-thumping monks; and preposterously brave and equally preposterously cowardly knights — to say nothing of irritants who refuse to be dead.
Written and Directed by Tommy James Dean. Music by Gianna Cheung and Jeremy Kindl. Produced by Isaac Downey and Miriam Rihani. Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. Sept 14 – 23, 2023
We are fortunate to live in a society where you can poke fun at our major religion and for it to be a non-issue. Indeed, Jesus himself instructed his followers to turn the other cheek when they are subjected to an insult.
The added benefit of this approach is that it denies oxygen to the work. Monty Python’s The Life of Brian enjoyed a surge of popularity when Christian groups called for a boycott. Decades later the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wisely ignored the musical The Book of Mormon.
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. North Shore Theatre Company. Zenith Theatre, Chatswood. 15-23 September 2023
The Addams Family was a counterculture comedy TV show back in the mid 60s, with iconic characters: wealthy patriarch, Gomez Addams, his sultry wife, Morticia, their daughter, Wednesday and son, Pugsley. Uncle Fester and Grandmama lived with them and of course Lurch, their loyal servant completed the family.
By Jane Harrison. Sydney Theatre Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts. Director: Wesley Enoch. Drama Theatre Sydney Opera House. 15 Sept – 14 Oct, 2023, then Riverside Theatres, October 19 - 21 and Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, October 25 to 28.
The leaders of seven clans of the Eora nation meet on a rocky sandstone cliff in January 1788. It is hot, humid, and strange clouds wisp in the summer-blue sky. Their eyes keep returning to the east where big nawi with high masts have sailed into their pristine harbour.
By Keith Gow. Theatre Works, Explosives Factory, Inkerman Street, St Kilda. 13 – 23 September 2023
Four travellers aboard a spaceship, bound for ‘Earth 8’, a new world and, they hope, a new life. And yet each inevitably brings their past with them. That is, when (if?) they reach ‘Earth 8’, will they be the same flawed humans as set out? Even their rushed, queue-jumping escape from devastated ‘Earth 7’ is tainted by the dodgy means each has employed to be aboard this old space freighter…
Created by Kirsten Siddle, written by Kirsten Siddle and Helen Cassidy. Stage direction by Scott Maidment. Produced by Broad Encounters. The Austral, 200-202 Johnston St, Collingwood. 15 September – 29 October, 2023.
Love Lust Lost are all emotions that are experienced in this impressive immersive theatre adventure. The nautical theme of the production is playfully and often facetiously explored in all its aspects and avenues. The characters who inhabit this fictional sea vessel are alluring, captivating, amusing and all incredibly sensual in their stylised movement, singing, acrobatics and dancing. The experience begins the moment you step on board where you find a welcoming and enchanting sea faring atmosphere.
By Karul Projects, featuring Thomas E.S. Kelly, New Benner Theatre, Metro Arts Brisbane, 14-16 September 2023
Presented as part of the Metro Arts and Brisbane Festival 2023 program, Kuramanunya is a ceremony for ancestors past; ancestors who were never given a ceremony in life. Some spirits were stolen; some were taken too young; some branches of the family tree never recovered to enjoy their time on country. Developed by Queensland/NSW-based contemporary indigenous dance company, Karul Projects, (in Yugambeh Language, ‘Karul’ means ‘Everything’) this is a simple, solo-performer piece, featuring the words, movement and dance of Thomas E.S.
By George Orwell. Adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan. Theatre Guild Student Society (TGSS). Little Theatre: The Cloisters, Adelaide University. Thursday 14 September to Sunday 17th September, 2023
TGSS, created in 2017, describes itself as ‘experimental and progressive theatre at the University of Adelaide.’ Offered as an opportunity for students studying at Adelaide University, they operate under the auspices of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, affectionately referred to as The Guild. Well known and well regarded for presenting mainstream theatre that is often challenging or ‘cutting edge’ in Adelaide, The Guild has been the training ground of many of Adelaide’s actors, directors and technical teams.
