Reviews

Mismatched

By Daisy Productions. FringeWorld. Home Economics or The Library, The Girls School, WA. Jan 15-25,

Mismatched is a rather stunning musical cabaret that looks at mismatched couples and the songs that they may sing together. Expertly performed by Penny Shaw and Robert Hoffman, with musical direction and accompaniment by Tommaso Pollio - this is a show that despite its relative simplicity, feels like it belongs more in a concert hall than in a small venue at the Girls School - so you feel like you a privy to an extra special treat.

Maureen: Harbinger of Death

Written and performed by Jonny Hawkins. Co-conceived and directed by Nell Ranney. Seymour Centre, Sydney. 15- 21 January, 2021

When Jonny Hawkins enters the stage and explains that older women are his heroes and this show is a homage to them, he takes a risk, setting himself up to possibly fail by causing offence or simply not doing them justice. But thanks to thoughtful characterisation and a huge amount of sensitivity and care, this one-woman show proves touching - and compelling throughout.

Lucky Cat

Written and directed by Yvan Karlsson. FringeWorld. The Studio, Subiaco Arts Centre, WA. Jan 15-19, 2021

Lucky Cat is a sweet and joyous piece of family theatre, presented by Monkey Brain for Subilicious and Fringe World

Alex is the unluckiest child in the world, and everything seems to go wrong for her - her parents have split, her teacher never picks her and she doesn’t win colouring competitions - until she meets Tet - the luckiest cat in the world. Together they embark on an epic adventure to find Fate and get back Alex’s luck.

It’s Not Me, It’s Definitely You: The Songs of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen

By Lisa Woodbrook. FringeWorld. The Hat Trick, Woodside Pleasure Gardens, Northbridge WA. Jan 15-25, 2021

It’s Not Me, It’s Definitely You: The Songs of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen is a returning FringeWorld favourite which looks at the dilemmas of modern relationships.

Written and performed by Lisa Woodbrook, this is a beautiful blend of song and very natural and funny stand-up comedy. Lisa, who is lovely to listen to, can really hold the crowd and her interactions between songs are funnier and more surprising than you would normally expect to hear in cabaret.

Everything’s Kinda Stupid

Written and directed by Courtney Withers and Izzy Stonehouse. FringeWorld. Home Economics at The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Jan 15-24, 2021

Everything’s Kinda Stupid marks the debut of the delightfully named "every other theatre company”, whose vibrant and pacy little production bursts with wonderful ideas, enthusiasm with some impressive performers and clever writing.

AutoCannibal

By Mitch Jones. Sydney Festival. Carriageworks. January 13 – 17, 2021

He might be the planet’s last survivor but Mitch Jones stirs up pathos and laughter, even as he finally eats himself.

In his dystopian space of rubbish furniture, plastic bags and skewered lighting, he first blends into a smoothie all his available bits – dandruff, hairs, piss, sweat – but with the theatrical aplomb of a TV chef.

Perhaps he’s a former newsreader. In his shredded suit, he looks like those others flashing up on the old TVs amongst the scaffolding, with news of meteoric temperatures and new laws allowing the sale of body-parts.

Les Misérables

By Claude-Michel Schönberg (music) and Alain Boubil (lyrics), based on the book by Victor Hugo. Adelaide Youth Theatre (AYT). Influencers’ Church, Paradise, SA. Jan 14 – 16, 2021

Les Misérables is one of the iconic musicals of our times. Premiering in English in 1985, it has been presented to great acclaim all over the world and is a benchmark for amateur and professional musical theatre companies alike.

H.M.S. Pinafore

By Gilbert and Sullivan. Siren Theatre Company / Sydney Festival. Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. January 13 – 23, 2021.

When I was a lad, enamored with Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, the stagings were slavishly ‘traditional’ - W.S Gilbert’s original 19th century direction remained the increasingly stale holy grail for enthusiasts. Thankfully, times have changed.

Since the handbrake of copyright was released, Gilbert’s satirical topsy turvy scripts and Sullivan’s delightful scores have had many a new interpretation, or fresh coat of paint.

Skylight

By David Hare. Presented by Verendus Theatrical supported by Red Phoenix Theatre and Holden Street Theatres. Holden Street Theatres, Adelaide SA. 14 - 23 Jan 2021

Story lines in the realm of theatre (and film) are liberally sprinkled with tales of thwarted relationships and Skylight by David Hare (written in 1994) definitely sits in this category. It is, however, infused with other complex layers that challenge the audience and inform the trajectory of the play and its characters.

Shrek – The Musical

Music: Jeanine Tesori. Book & Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire. Gordon Frost Organisation. Director: Jason Moore & Rob Ashford. Musical Director: Dave Skelton. Choreography: Cristina D’Agostino. Lyric Theatre, QPAC. From 14 January 2021

The doors were open again and despite an audience wearing face-masks and 50% capacity, there was a heightened buzz in the air. This was, after all, the first major production to open at QPAC after the Coronavirus lockdown.

Shrek The Musical is based on Dreamworks hugely successful 2001 animated motion picture and the 1990 book by William Steig, about a green ogre, Shrek (Ben Mingay) whose swamp has been invaded by various fairytale characters who have been kicked out of Duloc by the diminutive Lord Faquaad (Todd McKenney).

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.