By Christos Tsiolkas, adapted for the stage by Christos Tsiolkas and Don Giovannoni. Malthouse Theatre. May 5 – Jun 3, 2023.
The theatre show, Loaded, based on the iconic book of the 90s by Christos Tsiolkas of the same name, which was then turned into the epic film Head On, directed by Anna Kokkinos and starring Alex Dimitriades, is currently playing at The Malthouse. Directed by acclaimed director Stephen Nicolazzo (Looking for Alibrandi), and adapted for the stage by Christos Tsiolkas and Don Giovannoni, this solo show is played by Danny Ball.
By James Graham. Directed by Vanessa Jenson. Melville Theatre, Stock Rd, Palmyra WA. May 12-27, 2023
Quiz is scheduled to be the last ever Melville Theatre Company production at their traditional home, also known as the Roy Edinger Theatre, and it is fitting that they depart with a show directed by perhaps their most lauded director, Vanessa Jensen and with the strong product that is Quiz.
Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Book by Heather Hach. Murray Bridge Players and Singers. Murray Bridge Town Hall, Murray Bridge. May 12 – 27, 2023
The Murray Bridge Town Hall has been transformed into a plethora of pink love for their latest production, Legally Blonde. It is a very welcoming venue and I instantly felt at home and ready to share Elle Wood’s adventures.
By Miles Franklin, adapted by Christine Davey. Directed by Jane Sherwood. Garrick Theatre, Meadow St Guildford, WA. May 4-20, 2023
My Brilliant Career, director Jane Sherwood’s first show at Garrick, is an unusual and stylised presentation of the classic Australian novel, with narration by a Greek style chorus, led by a character representing the author Stella (Miles Franklin).
By Lauren Gunderson. Glenbrook Players, NSW. May 12 – 20, 2023
Ada and the Engine is a period drama set at the dawn of the British Industrial Revolution centring around historical figure Ada Lovelace (Rebecca Dean). Lovelace is described as the first computer programmer who, along with Charles Babbage (John Forbes), theorised analytic engines capable of taking commands to solve various mathematical questions. Director Heather McGreal and the cast at Glenbrook Players take on the task of making maths compelling, and it is an A+.
Conceived and directed by Yvan Karlsson. Monkey Brain. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. May 9 – 27, 2023
Hell is Other People, presented by The Blue Room Theatre and Monkey Brain, is a wordless play based on the Jean-Paul Sartre play No Exit. Featuring similar characters to its inspiration, this incarnation is set in a waiting room.
By David Ireland. JH Productions. The Arch – Holden Street Theatres. 10 – 20 May 2023
David Ireland’s award-winning Ulster American, first seen in Adelaide in the 2019 Adelaide Arts Festival, is one of the most brilliant, provocative, and thrilling plays so far in the 21st century. It is partly based on a ye olde joke, the one involving, ‘There was an American, an Englishman, and an Irishman, etc’.
By Dave Simpson. Directed by Rianna Hartney-Smith. Tugun Theatre Company. 11th-26th May, 2026.
Whilst the Northern end of the Gold Coast boasts a variety of community theatre companies, the Southern end (until you cross the border) is in the capable hands of the Tugun Theatre Company.
Their second offering of the year is Dave Simpson’s Girls’ Night Out. Like most of Simpson’s plays, the sum total is in the title. Don’t expect anything cerebral from the thin plot or awkward multi scene structure … just go for a bloody good Girls’ Night Out.
Composed by Philip Glass, libretto by Philip Glass and Constance De Jong. Presented by Opera Australia with Orchestra Victoria. Directed by Andy Morton. Conducted by Tahu Matheson. Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne. 13 May 2023.
Philip Glass’s music style is synonymous with repetition and minimalism. The combination in this hypnotic opera creates a uniquely profound and intense experience. The opera covers the era in which Gandhi spent time in South Africa advancing his non-violent cause against oppressive colonial regimes. The composition captures the incredible rapture and sublime experience of such an important movement, characterised by incredible discipline of the mind.
