Reviews

The Rover

By Aphra Behn. Directed by Eamon Flack. Belvoir Theatre, Sydney. 1 July - 6 August, 2017

For a 1677 play, The Rover feels very modern. Written by Aphra Behn, one of the first women in England to make money from writing, this is a comedy that’s brave, brash, and very funny. On top of that, Eamon Flack has given the look, feel and many of the lines in this production a contemporary edge. Together with a wonderful cast, he’s done a brilliant job.

Disney High School Musical On Stage

Book by David Simpatico. Directed by Lys Tickner and Brogan Smirke. Musical Direction by Tyler Eldridge. Roleystone Theatre, Brookton Hwy, Roleystone, WA. June 30 - July 15, 2017

It is refreshing to attend a packed house matinee, full of excited young people, many presumably having their first live-theatre experience, and to see an energised, enthusiastic young cast on stage.

High School Musical is based on the Disney Chanel Movie of the same name. The characters are familiar to many in the audience and the kids in the crowd also clearly knew the songs. 

The Golden Dragon

By Roland Schimmelpfennig. Bakehouse Theatre Company (SA). The Bakehouse. July 8th – July 22nd, 2017.

Set in a Chinese/Vietnamese/Thai restaurant, ensemble piece The Golden Dragon shows a small slice of life centred on a restaurant and the people within and around it.

While there are moments of humour, this play is not a comedy. Written by Roland Schimmelpfennig, there is a series of random events about the myriad of characters, some of whom work in the restaurant and others who live in the flats above.

An Evening of Unearthly Encounters

By John Lewington. KADS. Directed by Anita Bound and Alexis Marr. KADS Town Square Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. June 30 - July 22, 2017

An Evening of Unearthly Encounters is exactly as described. This presentation of two ghostly plays, both by John Lewington, explores visits from the ‘other side’ in a rather eerie little compilation.

In the first play, Portrait of My Love, directed by Anita Bound, a young Australian woman returns to take possession of her inheritance, her deceased father’s home in the United Kingdom, with frontage to the sea.

The Adventures of Peter Pan & Tinkerbell

BBonnie Lythgoe Productions. State Theatre, Sydney. July 7 – 16, 2017.

The old grandeur of the State Theatre is the perfect venue for this holiday time production, conjuring as it does the past theatre ‘glory’ of the old London theatres where ‘pantos’ still bring cheer to wintery London Christmases.

Joh For PM

Music & Lyrics: Paul Hodge. Book & Lyrics: Stephen Carleton. Director: Kris Stewart. Musical Director: James Dobinson. Choreographer: Dan Venz. Jute Theatre Company, Brisbane Powerhouse & Queensland Music Festival Production. Brisbane Powerhouse. 7 – 16 July 2017

Joh for PM reminds us that Australian politics, like the rest of the world. has always been a messy business – corruption, bribes, pay-offs, electoral fraud and corporate greed don’t have a time-stamp on them – what’s happening today sadly only mirrors what happened in the past.

Beauty and the Beast Jr

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton. Eltham Little Theatre. Director: John Leahy. Musical Director: Nicola Ramsay. Choreographer: Amanda Byron. July 7 – 23, 2017

Eltham Little Theatre’s annual junior musical was Beauty and the Beast Jr and it was another successful production. There was a nice mix of younger members and others approaching adulthood.

The small stage was well used with a house being rolled on for the street scene and curtains opening to reveal the Beast’s castle. For the opening number curtains down the side of the auditorium were drawn back to reveal more villagers and stalls.

Banjos, Boots & Beyonce

St Martins Youth Theatre. Substation – Newport (Vic). 7pm – 6th, 7th and 8th of July 2017

Banjos, Boots & Beyonce is great fun and a must for anyone interested in youth theatre and what can be achieved when kids take the reins.

This show is surprisingly crisp and tight, particularly considering the potential unwieldiness of having a large number of Children teaching a heap of adults the polka and then some very unique contemporary social dances.  Even with a break for a cuppa the whole thing comes in under 80 minutes.

Audience can opt to engage in the dancing or observe and have a bit of a dance at the end if they so choose. 

Cloud Nine

By Caryl Churchill. Sydney Theatre Company. Directed by Kip Williams. Wharf 1 Theatre. July 1 to August 12, 2017

When I read the synopsis of this gender bending, cross dressing, actor swapping, century stretching play, I have to admit that I thought this was the wrong show to watch after a long day at work.  

All fears of getting lost or confused (and having to bluff through a review), were soon swept aside by the wonderful marriage of a splendid production and an always engaging narrative in a stunningly beautifully written play.

Neville’s Island

By Tim Firth. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Director: Mark Kilmurry. 29 June – 12 August 2017

Trees, ferns and mist engulf the assembling audience. A patron in Row A bats away the thick mist that whirls round his seat. Setting is everything at the Ensemble: you’re so close to the action every small detail must work. Full marks then to Designer Hugh O’Connor for his impressive work on this comedy set on a small, uninhabited Tasmanian Island. 

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