Reviews

Skyduck: A Chinese Spy Comedy

Writer/Performer Sam Wang. Director Aileen Huynh. Riverside Theatres Parramatta. June 29 – July 1, 2023

Advertised as “Think Chinese Top Gun meets 007 with a J-Pop backing track!”, Skyduck is not your usual comedy. In fact, there is little that is ‘usual’ about this production – except for the fact that it is ‘theatre’ in the very broadest sense of the word. It uses a multitude of old and new theatrical devices, from puppets to projections, and plot, described as “a rollicking tale of international espionage”, mixes features of theatre of the absurd with commedia dell’arte and musical theatre.

The Wizard of Oz in Concert

Script: L. Frank Baum. Music & Lyrics: Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg. Background music: Herbert Stothart,. Orchestration: Larry Wilcox. Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Presented by Prospero Arts and QPAC. QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane. 30th June - 2nd July, 2023

QPAC's Concert Hall has almost been transformed into a theatre with this visually stunning concert version of RSC's adaptation of the famous movie. With elevated platforms surrounding Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra centre of stage, a large video screen providing a well-designed backdrop, a complex lighting plot, colourful costumes and a small ensemble cast, tribute must be paid here for how effective the use of minimalism can still whisk you away into the world of Dorothy and her journey down the yellow brick road.

Oracle

Bass Fam Creative. Roslyn Packer Theatre. June 28 – Jul 9, 2023.

Once you unwrapped the campery, Oracle is an artful surprise. 

I wasn’t expecting such a power-pumping burlesque of aerial athleticism, kaleidoscopic lighting and dramatic costuming and headdresses adorning such skimpy-clad bodies, all 18 of them dancing and preening to a rush of contemporary hits.   

The Wizard of Oz

Music: Harold Arlen. Lyrics: E. Y. Harburg. Background music: Herbert Stothart. Book: L. Frank Baum (adapted by John Kane). Director: Kim Anderson (assisted by Karen Shnider). Musical Director: Bronte Regos Thiele. Choreographer: Kat Wallace (assisted by Ellie Martin). Presented by Theatrical at the National Theatre, Melbourne. June 29 – July 9, 2023.

After a hiatus of six years in Australia, The Wizard of Oz is being presented by Theatrical, the not-for-profit, independent Melbourne theatre company.  Since 2019, Theatrical has staged productions including Freaky Friday, Little Women, If/THEN and Green Days’ American Idiot.  This production is based on the classic L. Frank Baum story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film starring Judy Garland. 

Dumb Kids

Playwright: Jacob Parker. Legit Theatre Company in association with bAKEHOUSE Theatre Co. Director Sophia Bryant. KXT on Broadway. June 23 – July 8, 2023.

There is a wealth of fine new young voices in the arts. Whether in words or music, they are making themselves heard. They are open, intelligent, articulate, talented and courageous – because they break boundaries, lift taboos. They don’t preach, or moralise! They say, “This is how it is. This is how we are dealing with it. We want to share it.” 

George Balanchine’s Jewels

The Australian Ballet, with Orchestra Victoria. The State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. 29 June - 8 July 2023

In 1964 Marshall McLuhan said, ‘the medium is the message’. In 1967 George Balanchine first presented his 3 Act, non-narrative ballet. In 2023 the Australian Ballet presented a living, breathing example of McLuhan’s concept in their production of Balanchine’s Jewels.

Barbaros

Limosani Projekts. Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. Adelaide June 29 – July 1, 2023

Barbaros is “a creative voyage through the ambiguous and inescapable relationship between civilisation and barbarism”. I had watched the promotional clip and I must admit, was not prepared for 55 minutes of sheer wonder and admiration for both the concept and the performance. I have not seen anything like it!

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde. Cairns Little Theatre (The Rondo). Directed by Kevin Shorey. June 30-July 15, 2023

The genteel world of old-world manners, lazy afternoon teas, cucumber sandwiches and class hypocrisy graced The Rondo in this production of Oscar Wilde’s iconic play. Set in the round amidst appropriate settings, the period costumed actors transported the audience back to another age.

Underneath Ms Archer

Writers: Louise Siversen and Peter Houghton. Director: Peter Houghton. Dramaturgy: Dr Chris Mead. Irene Mitchell Studio, 44 St Martins Lane, South Yarra. 21 June - 16 July 2023

The sudden shattering of Kelly Archer’s (Louise Siversen) world as a senior flight attendant and the consequent shaming social media storm is an unlikely beginning to a magical fable about mistakes, guilt and taking responsibility. But then magic happens, as a dishevelled man, William Marshall (Peter Houghton) mysteriously appears. He doesn’t speak English and is as confused as Kelly.

Bleached

Wit Incorporated/ Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St, Footscray. 22 June - 1 July, 2023 & 14 July, The Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans.

From theatre company Wit Incorporated comes Bleached, the latest work by young playwright Laura Collins.  This play follows the journeys of Australian tourists experiencing the world for possibly the last time as global lockdowns loom in the wake of the climate crisis. Rather than really addressing the climate crisis directly, Bleached delves into the interpersonal and existential crises created in humanity as the world is dying. At least I think that’s what it does.

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