Reviews

Soul of Possum

By Brodie Murray. YIRRAMBOI Festival in association with the Castlemaine State Festival. Meat Market Stables, North Melbourne. 12 – 15 May 2021

A colonial military expedition moves inexorably upriver.  Marnuu (Jyden Brailey) has learned of this deadly incursion from his dreams of Possum (her voice is that of Tahlee Fereday).  He tries to warn Gundi (Balaneba) and Barru (playwright Brodie Murray), but they mock him and don’t believe him.  They don’t hear Possum and they are young and cocky.  Marnuu is from a different tribe, a trespasser, not initiated in the same ways as they were. 

Ulster American

By David Ireland. Outhouse Theatre Co and Seymour Centre. May 13 – 29, 2021

An insufferably banal American movie star arrives at the London warehouse apartment of a fawning director to meet the author of a seemingly controversial play about Northern Ireland, in which he’s to star.  Rehearsals start tomorrow, but each has an entirely different take on the play – and soon on each other.

Drummer Queens

Co-created and composed by Joe Accaria. Directed by Nigel Turner-Carroll with choreography by Peta Anderson. Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Brisbane. 12 to 16 May, 2021

There's not much to say about the Drummer Queens – except that their show is one of the best stage productions you will ever see. This is an original Australian-made stage spectacular that is so awe-inspiring and energetic that it should be available on your health insurance package. If your feet are not tapping from beat one, you had better get your pulse checked!

Mama Stich

By Georgia King and Mark Storen, taken verbatim from local residents. Whisky and Boots. Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, Canning Rd, Kalamunda WA. April 30 - May 16, 2021

Whisky and Boots’ Mama Stitch is a location specific event that has played Midland, Gosnells and now Kalamunda, and will shortly travel to Bunbury. Local residents are interviewed and asked to reflect on their mothers. Their responses become the show that you see in each location - backed with original music.

Don Juan

A Slightly Isolated Dog. Artistic Direction by Leo Gene Peters. Centenial Hall, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 12-16 May, 2021

How to describe this? Raunchy panto, dinner cabaret without dinner, a wholesome healthy, string of innuendo sausages? “Fun” probably says it best. A Slightly Isolated Dog’s Don Juan is involving right from the minute you step into the hall. And I mean involving literally.

The Vicar of Dibley

By Ian Cower and Paul Carpenter adapted from the TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew- Archer. Laughing Horse Productions. Directed by Kelly Salathiel. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA. May 14-22, 2021

Laughing Horse Productions are presenting the WA Premiere of the official stage adaptation of The Vicar of Dibley. A loving reproduction of the TV series, favourite characters are brought to life with skill and care.

As the lights went up on the opening scene of the show, there was huge laughter before a word was even spoken, because some of the depictions are so recognisable and accurate, that it could almost be the original performer on the stage, and this was before the title character even appeared.

Two Weeks With The Queen

Written by Mary Morris, from the book by Morris Gleitzman. Javeenbah Theatre Company, Qld. Directed by Trevor Love. May 14 - 29, 2021

Community Theatre has never been more important than it is now. Large-scale main stage productions are just beginning to return, but not all of us have access or, indeed, the mega-dollars required for a ticket. It falls to companies like Javeenbah to keep entertainment alive in the suburbs, and they do it well and with great commitment.

Voyage

Written and composed by Helen Begley. Presented by The Good Girl Song Project. Directed by Ruby Rees. fortyfivedownstairs theatre, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. 13 – 23 May 2021.

This is a story squarely focused on the experience of immigrant women from Britain during the colonial era. Ordinary but somewhat desperate women were enticed to Australia with the promise of a better life only to find an environment characterised by cruelty and hardship upon their arrival.

The Gospel According to Paul

Written & performed by Jonathan Biggins. Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse. 11 – 23 May 2021

‘Paul’ is of course Paul Keating, and this is Jonathan Biggins’ impression of our former reforming Treasurer (1983-91) and our 24th Prime Minister (1991-96).  Mr Biggins doesn’t so much impersonate Paul Keating as represent him in all his complexity.  The voice and the walk aren’t exactly right, but we recognise both.  You wouldn’t describe this show as hagiography, but it’s clear that Mr Biggins admires and even loves his subject.  Probably indebted to Kerry O’Brien’s extensive 2013 interviews, and

Incognito

By Nick Payne. Directed by Brendan Ellis. Melville Theatre, Stock Rd, Palmyra, WA. May 7-22, 2021

Incognito features three interconnected storylines, and examines what forms a person’s identity - whether it be memories, achievements or relationships. With storylines spanning from 1955 to 2017, four actors play eighteen roles, moving swiftly between characters and storylines.

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