Reviews

The Wedding Singer

Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Book by Tim Herlihy & Chad Beguelin. David Venn Productions. Directed by Alister Smith. HOTA, Gold Coast. 18th-26th June, 2021

Warning! There’s a triple-threat explosion happening on stage at the Gold Coast’s  HOTA theatre and it’s burning with energy, enthusiasm and excellence. Forget about the book – it’s pretty forgettable, with a cliched boy loses girl, meets another girl, can’t have her … well, you’ve seen it many times before. As for the music, and lyrics, they’re suitably “pop-py” and sometimes witty. If you’ve seen the movie you know exactly what to expect.

BOOBS

Selina Jenkins. Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2021. The Quartet Bar. June 18-20, 2021

BOOBS is a tiny gem; an intimate, reflective, and enlightening cabaret offering from a talented, humble crafter of songs and stories with no hint of the didactic.  With three shows only at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, BOOBS then crosses the continent for a season during the Perth International Cabaret Festival.  Catch it if you can.

Brent Ray Fraser

Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The Famous Spiegeltent, Adelaide Festival Centre. June 18 – 20, 2021

Brent Ray Fraser is the Picasso of the Penis! Completing his art studies in 2009, he ended up as a stripper after watching a strip show. The combination of these two art forms has led to his current show which has been touring for over ten years.

His body is his instrument and a daily yoga session ensures it stays in perfect condition. In fact, at 42, he has the physique of a man many years his junior and even though he has retired four times he claims, ‘I'm going to be painting with my penis until I'm dead. I'm going to paint all the way up to my grave.’

The Odd Couple

By Neil Simon. Directed by Trevor Dhu. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. Jun 11-19, 2021

Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple premiered in 1965. It was followed by the 1968 film, the 1970s television series, a female adaptation in 1985, and a variety of other spinoffs. Consequently, most of the audience have some knowledge of the story of slovenly sports writer Oscar Madison and his unlikely housemate, the fastidious and neurotic Felix Unger. Old Mill’s The Odd Couple has been playing to sold-out crowds, who are clearly enjoying this interpretation of the play.

The Obbligato Sonatas

Johann Sebastian Bach. June 18, 2021 at St James Church Sydney. June 20 at 2pm at Parish of the Holy Name Church, Wahroonga.

How fitting to bring together work composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in the 1720s and Francis Greenway’s stately St James Church King Street, consecrated one hundred years later. In that revered building – the oldest existing in inner Sydney – Bach’s much-loved Obbligato Sonatas thrilled a large and appreciative audience.

We’ll Always Have Paris

By Jill Hyem. Adelaide Repertory Theatre. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. June 17 – 26, 2021

Not even the wrath of the elements could dampen the enthusiasm and warmth of the Adelaide Repertory Theatre’s latest production, We’ll Always Have Paris!

Irish Theatre Players One Acts 21

By Tony Layton, Seán Byrne and Simon Stephens. Directed by Alan Kennedy, Denice Byrne and Andrew Baker. Townshend Theatre, Irish Club of WA, Townshend Rd, Subiaco, WA. Jun 17-26, 2021

The Irish Theatre Players present three strong and varied short plays in the beautifully warm and friendly atmosphere of the Irish Club. An enjoyable and moving evening of entertainment.

In the Mirror

By Mammad Aidani. Cicero’s Circle & La Mama. La Mama Courthouse, Carlton. 15 – 20 June 2021

Two desperate people – unknown to each other - look into their mirrors.  What do they see?  Not themselves, but a version of themselves that might – just might – get them a job.  Any job.  Both are preparing for an interview.  Both are rehearsing an acceptable persona.  Each feels their real identity is disappearing.

The Woman in Black

By Susan Hill and Stephen Mallatratt. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Director: Mark Kilmurry. 11 June – 24 July, 2021

Under the banner ‘West End Thriller’ comes this new production of Stephen Mallatratt’s excellent two-man, one-ghost stage version of Susan Hill’s supremely spooky novel The Woman in Black. Opening at the West End’s Fortune Theatre in 1989, it has been running (with Covid-19 exceptions) and frightening audiences there ever since. Only Agatha Christie’s elderly ‘The Mousetrap’ beats it.

The Cripple of Inishmaan

By Martin McDonagh. Castle Hill Players. The Pavilion Theatre, Castle Hill. June 4 – 26, 2021

The Cripple of Inishmaan is set in 1934 on a small island just off the west coast of Ireland.  Right from the get-go the clever set design captures the audience’s attention.  There is lovely stonework, lots of wooden panelling and an excessive number of bright green tins of peas on the shelves. There’s also an elevated bedroom which is cleverly recycled and even a small boat waiting at the jetty down stage left for one of the most pivotal scenes.