Reviews

Little Women

Adapted by Sally Davies from the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The Blue Room Theatre and Mel and Sal. Directed by Sally Davies and Melanie Julien-Martial. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Nov 9-27, 2021

Presented by The Blue Room Theatre and Mel and Sal, this incarnation of Little Women is a modern take on the classic coming of age story.

Humans 2.0

Circa. Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 10 to 20 November 2021

It may feel like a pertinent time to ask: 'What is it to be a human?' And the vivid and physical response from Brisbane-based Circa is the prescient Humans 2.0, created and directed by Yaron Lifschitz, a follow-up to 2017's Humans. The title of this Queensland premiere piece underlines in bold type the troupe's ethos of human-fuelled entertainment with acrobatic circus skills devoid of all the negative connotations of sawdust and greasepaint. This troupe of 11 performers relies solely on human skills, spirit and extraordinary talent.

Jasper in Deadland

Music & Lyrics: Ryan Scott Oliver. Book: Hunter Foster & Ryan Scott Oliver. Phoenix Ensemble, Beenleigh, Qld. Director: Justin Tubb-Hearne. Choreography: Isabelle Quayle. Musical Director: Hayley Marsh. 5-27 November 2021

Jasper in Deadland is a contemporary spin on the Orpheus and Eurydice legend that premiered Off-Broadway in 2014. With a score by up-and-coming composer Ryan Scott Oliver, who, like Sondheim, writes music and lyrics, and a book by Hunter Foster (Sutton’s brother) with help from Oliver, this teen/angst trip to Hades has built quite following and a fan base amongst musical theatre aficionados.

The Sunshine Boys

By Neil Simon. Rockingham Theatre Company. Directed by Sue Hasey. The Castle, Rockingham, WA. Nov 12-27, 2021

Rockingham Theatre Company, perhaps best known for upbeat British comedy, step outside their usual fare for their latest offering, Neil Simon’s quintessentially American The Sunshine Boys.

Mr Burns: a post-electric play

By Anne Washburn with Score by Michael Friedman. Griffith University Performing Arts. Directed by Daniel Evans. Burke Street Studio Theatre, Brisbane. 10–13 November 2021

Mr Burns is a curious, decade-old play that has just seen a quiet revival in Chicago. When its creators, US playwright Anne Washburn and lyricist/musician Michael Friedman, wrote it in 2012, I don't suppose either of them thought that it would have a strange resonance nearly 10 years later: a post-apocalyptic setting that focuses on how the theatre survives? Yes, we've all been thinking along those lines as we binge-watch boxed set after boxed set. So, what if there was a nuclear meltdown with few survivors and no electricity?

Grease

Book, Music & Lyrics: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey. Additional Songs: Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Louis St. Louis, Scott Simon. Griffith University Performing Arts Students. Director: Alister Smith. Musical Director: Heidi Loveland. Choreography: Dan Venz. Lyric Theatre, QPAC. 10-13 November 2021

History was made last night when the Griffith University Musical Theatre students unleashed a velocity of energy in their production of Grease at QPAC. Many Griffith alumni have appeared in major musical theatre productions across the county, and in New York and the West End, but this is the first time one of their productions has graced the stage of the Lyric the biggest and most iconic of QPAC theatres.

Three Winters Green

By Campion Decent. Lambert House Enterprises. Directed by Les Solomon and Campion Decent. Fringe HQ Newtown. November 10-20, 2021

It is an opportune time for a revival of this historically significant play by Campion Decent. First staged in the 1990s, Three Winters Green pays homage to the deadly and lasting effects of the AIDS pandemic. It is thus a very timely reminder that COVID is not the only pandemic that has stalked and devastated the world in recent times.

Shakespeare in the Park - The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare. Roleystone Theatre. Directed by Paul Treasure. Araluen Botanic Gardens, Roleystone, WA. Nov 6-14, 2021

The Taming of the Shrew is the second annual Shakespeare in the Park, performed by Roleystone Theatre in the beautiful surrounds of Araluen Botanic Park’s amphitheatre. Playing on two consecutive weekends, the show plays at 4pm, avoiding the heat of the day, but allowing the use of natural light.

Once again under the direction of Paul Treasure, this time we enjoy The Taming of the Shrew, set beautifully in the late 1950s (a nice twist for a play written in the 1590s),

The Wharf Revue: Can of Worms.

Wharf Revue, directed by Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe. Musical direction by Phillip Scott. Canberra Theatre from 9–20 November 2021, and touring NSW, VIC, TAS, and NT.

Dismayed reactions were common when the Sydney Theatre Company advertised its final Wharf Revue last year — but the change was in fact merely structural, not fatal.  It’s back!

Austen Con 2021

Presented by 24carrotproductions. Abbotsford Convent Industrial School & North Magdalen Laundry, 6 November 2021.

This event is a celebration and exploration of the Jane Austen universe. Workshops, presentations and performances on aspects such as Regency dancing, letter writing, sewing, music and fashion all helped to bring this world to life. The enthusiasm for this event reveals a real appetite to lose oneself in the whimsical and romantic nature of Austen’s wit and social commentary. 

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