Reviews

Golden Age Girls

By Amy Fortnum, Jess Clancy and Mav Newman. Fringe World. The Studio, Subiaco Arts Centre. Jan 29 - Feb 1, 2020

From squabbling school girls to duelling divas, Irene and Ruth have competed against each other all their lives. But only one of them can truly be the darling of the retirement home circuit. Accompanied by the ever-present Peter, this is an epic battle of the sopranos.

Bite Me

By Sian Murphy. Fringe World. Directed by Elise Wilson. The Blue Room Theatre, Main Space. Jan 28 - Feb 1, 2020

One of the higher aims of theatre is to make life changing impact on your audience, changing the way they see the world. I think it will be a long while before I enter the fruit and vegetable section of the super market without thinking about Bite Me.

Love

By Finegan Kruckemeyer. Fringe World. Directed by Alexa Taylor. Kaos Room, The Blue Room Theatre, James St, Perth WA. Jan 28 - Feb 1, 2020

Finegan Kruckemeyer's Love is a warm and fun production, set in a small town, with a plethora of wacky characters and a lovely message about love.

When a huge storm threatens the coastal town of Mellingong, residents are asked to evacuate to the Town Hall, taking only their most prized possession - the things Oslo’s Mum calls love luggage. Twelve year old Oslo, community minded at all times, sets out to ensure that the residents’ love luggage is safely transported to the Town Hall, and learns a lot about love on the way.

The Midsummer Carnival

Brisbane Powerhouse, 24 January to 8 February, 2020

Presented by Brisbane Immersive Ensemble and the Brisbane Powerhouse, The Midsummer Carnival is a mix of daring carnival feats, sideshow alley tricksters, cabaret singing, gypsy jazz and audience participation. This short adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream transports that famous tale to the fairgrounds and alleyways of a local travelling show. The Brisbane Immersive talents are many and varied – from acrobatics to singing, to sword-swallowing. The atmosphere is fun and engaging.

Pomona

By Alistair McDowall. SECRET HOUSE in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre. Director: Anthony Skuse. Kings Cross Theatre, Sydney. 24 January – 8 February 2020

Alistair McDowall, the young British author of this over-rich pudding of a play, has his seven characters in search of Pomona, an urban wasteland, a concrete island buried somewhere in the heart of Manchester, England. Not that there’s the slightest suggestion of a Mancunian accent among the seven actors at the Kings Cross Theatre, which is absolutely jammed for this first night occasion.

Ragnarøkkr

By St John Crowcher. Producer and creative consultant Libby Klysz. Fringe World. The Blue Room Theatre, Main Space, James St, Northbridge, WA. Jan 28 - Feb 8, 2020

Ragnarøkkr is a story of Armageddon, merged with a Nordic rock concert. Wild, crazy and very, very loud, this traditional Norse story of Ragnarök is told in a new unique way.

Writer/creator St John Crowcher cuts a striking figure as Loki, bare chested and winged as he tells and sings about the downfall of the gods. Music collaborator Joe Lui plays guitar and plays Loki’s son Jormungandr, with Grace May Smith on drums as Fenrir. The lighting - by Chris Donnelly - is rock concert like and highly atmospheric.

The Lion Never Sleeps

Written and directed by Noemie Cecilia Huttner-Koros. Fringe World. Departs from The Blue Room Theatre, James St, Northbridge, WA. Jan 28 - Feb 1, 2020

The Lion Never Sleeps is a group walk-come-parade through Northbridge, which uncovers and retraces queer history in the area.

Escorted by a fabulous collection of young people, audiences wearing headphones, listen to spoken word testimony about the Perth gay community, especially during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, as they literally retrace the steps of the generations that have gone before.

Present Laughter

By Noël Coward. National Theatre Live, from The Old Vic. Cinema Nova, Melbourne and participating cinemas nationally. 1 – 9 February 2020

Present Laughter shows us a few days in the life of hugely popular matinee idol Garry Essendine (Andrew Scott), about to leave London for an ‘exhausting’ tour of Africa.  He’s besieged by, but succumbs to, ardent fan Daphne (Kitty Archer).  He’s harassed by would-be playwright Roland Maule (Luke Thallon).  He attempts, at the instigation of his ex-wife Liz (Indira Varma), to settle complications that have arisen between his producer (Abdul Salis) and Joe (Enzo Cilenti), the husband of his manager (Suzie Toase).  This last has unforeseen c

Mr Snot Bottom’s Horrible Terrible Really Really Bad Bad Show

Written and directed by Mark Trenwith. Fringe World. de Parel Spiegeltent, Woodside Pleasure Gardens, Russel Square Northbridge, WA. Jan 26 - Feb 2, 2020

Mr Snot Bottom’s Horrible Terrible Really Really Bad Bad Show is not terrible or really bad. It is a raucous, wild ride of a show that had its young audience completely engaged throughout - a joyous and silly romp in which everyone had a lot of fun.

David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang

Adapted by Maryam Master. Directed by Susanna Dowling. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 28-Feb 2, 2020

David Walliams is probably the most popular author for young readers at the moment, with his madcap books being devoured by young readers. It shouldn’t be surprising that this show, nearing the end of its multi-city tour, is attracting capacity crowds.

In The Midnight Gang, a group of children’s ward patients, and an unlikely looking hospital porter, form a late night society to grant the wishes of sick children.