Reviews

1984

Written by Michael Gene Sullivan. Based on the novel by George Orwell. Directed by Scott West. Presented by 4Stage Productions. The Schonell Theatre, 20 – 22 October, 2017

Audiences will always approach well-known stories with certain expectations. When attending a production of 1984, one expects bleak tension, oppression and heartbreak (I’d packed the tissues). The dystopian play that’s sprung forth from Orwell’s well-known novel needs to make an audience feel uncomfortable. We need to be reminded of the horrors of authoritarianism and totalitarianism.

Chicago

Music: John Kander, Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Engadine Musical Society. Director: Sue Bunt, Musical Director: Joshua Ransom, Choreographer: Craig Nhobbs. Engadine Community Centre. October 20 – 29, 2017.

Engadine’s Chicago is full of Class and Razzle Dazzle.

Sue Bunt’s inspired direction and set design, Josh Ransom’s tight musical direction, Craig Nhobbs’s amazing choreography, the supremely talented cast, and the tech teams have pulled out all stops to ensure a professional-standard show that entertains with pizzazz and elegance.

Die Fledermaus

By Johann Strauss II. State Opera South Australia. Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide. October 24/25th, 2017

Die Fledermaus is the quintessential operetta penned by the legendary Johann Strauss II and first presented in 1874. It has been updated many times with varying degrees of success. David Lampard, well known to Adelaide for his quirky interpretations of classic works has moved the story to Beverley Hills in the present day.

Les Misérables

By Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boublil. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Music: Claude-Michel Boublil. Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer. Spotlight Theatre, Benowa, Gold Coast. Tony Alcock, Musical Director: Matt Pearson. Oct 20th – Nov 11th, 2017.

Spotlight’s final offering for the year is the blockbuster musical Les Misérables and what a fitting finale it is!

This is Musical Theatre at its best! Musically, the show sparkles with brilliant singing and orchestral work under the baton of M.D. Matt Pearson.

The large cast of 44 all revel in their various (and numerous) roles, with the visual aspect in the capable hands of Choreographer Jess Papst. Tony Alcock’s direction really brings this Victor Hugo epic to life.

Madama Butterfly

By Giacomo Puccini. Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Director: Moffatt Oxenbould. Conductor: Brian Castles-Onion. Capitol Theatre, Sydney. 24 October - 7 November, 2017

When your home is the Sydney Opera House, going elsewhere during renovations will always test the loyalty of your guests. Opera Australia is using the Capitol Theatre for its only mainstage production since the Joan Sutherland Theatre closed in May for a makeover. The choice is a tried-and-tested production of one of the most loved operas.

Rent

By Johnathan Larson. Macquarie University Musical Society. Director: Jo Elizabeth Finnis. Musical Director: Paul Young. Lighthouse Theatre Macquarie Uni. 19th -28th October 2017.

The Tony Award winning musical Rent, loosely based on Puccini’s La Boheme, seemed the perfect musical for this University group to perform. The cast all seemed to be of relevant age, which in some productions of this can be negative if cast too old. This cast all had the maturity in their stage presence and excelled with the sometimes quite difficult score.

Once We Lived Here

By Mathew Frank and Dean Bryant. Western Sky Theatre. Directed by Andrew Baker. The Blue Room Theatre, James St, Perth, WA. Oct 17 - Nov 4, 2017

Once We Lived Here is an Australian Musical by Mathew Frank and Dean Bryant. This warm, touching musical has some very dark themes, but is ultimately a feel-good experience in the capable hands of director Andrew Baker and the new company Western Sky Theatre.

The Blue Room’s stage is transformed into a quintessentially Australian, rural property, with Rhiannon Walker’s set design featuring sunburnt colours, wood and tin. Katrina Johnston’s lighting design is beautifully emotive.

Switzerland

By Joanna Murray-Smith. State Theatre Company of SA. Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide. October 20 to November 5, 2017.

Do the characters they create continue to haunt the writers who conjure them from their imaginations? This is one of the many questions I found myself asking as I left the Playhouse after Switzerland.Joanna Murray-Smith’s latest play explores this question, as well as introducing us to Patricia Highsmith, author of the Ripleytrio of thrillers.

The Addams Family

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Dural Musical Society. October 13 to 28, 2017

Headstones and eerie, blank-faced, white clad figures line the way as the audience is ushered along Cemetery Lane to Dural Musical Society’s production of The Addams Family. Their small stage is converted to the lonely home of the macabre characters that entertained television audience over 64 episodes between September 1964 and April 1966.

A View from the Bridge

By Arthur Miller. Red Line Productions. Old Fitz Theatre. Oct 19 – Nov 25, 2017.

The Old Fitz is so small it’s hard to imagine it as theatre in the round.  But stripped of all props except a chair, and with the actors when offstage sharing front row seats with the audience, it’s amazing what little you need to make great theatre.

A View from the Bridge, in this fine stripped back production by Iain Sinclair, is a view up close, more a psychological study.  Luckily the acting totally rewards the focus.

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