Reviews

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Choreographed by Liam Scarlett based on the Shakespeare play. Music by Felix Mendelssohn. A co-production of Queensland Ballet and Royal New Zealand Ballet. Artistic Director for QB Leanne Benjamin. Playhouse Theatre, Brisbane. 12-27 April, 2024

Even those who are not fans of classical ballet wouldn't be disappointed with this display of creative and physical energy: its colourful setting and humorous plot will always withstand the annals of time and is well worthwhile staging again after its initial success with the RNZB and QB in 2015-6. Mendelssohn originally composed the opening as a concert overture and was later commissioned to write additional incidental music for the play, a score now well-known and performed by Camerata in this production, conducted and arranged by accomplished Principal Conductor and MD Nigel Gaynor.

A Case for the Existence of God

By Samuel D Hunter. Outhouse Theatre Co and Seymour Centre. Reginald Theatre. April 11 – May 4, 2024

This mesmerising, slow cooker of a play is about the unlikely bond between two contrasting men.  God has little to do with it, except perhaps blessing these Idaho blokes with friendship and a faintly optimistic end.

Ryan is desperately chasing a bank loan when he visits a mortgage broker Keith.  Uneducated and broke, divorced and reared in a family of drugs and mental ill health, Ryan at least has some remaining naïve faith in humanity.  Keith, on the other hand, is fairly privileged and university educated (in early music); he’s also black and gay.

Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time

Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Beckett Theatre, Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street Southbank Melbourne. 28 March – 21 April 2024.

Mark Twain’s definition of humour as tragedy plus time forms the basis of Ed Byrne’s compelling show. The premise is that with the distance of time tragic events can eventually become a source of humour. Byrne puts this to the test as he recounts his troubled relationship with his younger brother who passed away shortly after reconciling with him. The story is indeed tragic, and although Byrne’s treatment of this narrative is often hilarious, he also highlights its poignancy.

Elouise Eftos - Australia’s First Attractive Comedian

Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Greek – Level 1. April 9 – 21, 2024

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare. The Australian Shakespeare Company. Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Sydney. Directed by Glenn Elston. 9 - 28 April 2024

‘You can find me later on Linkedin!’ calls Helena to her departing ex-sweetheart. Such a thing is permissible in this version of Shakespeare, which mixes modern quips with some heavy Elizabethan verse-making. Glenn Elston, director of Melbourne’s Australian Shakespeare Company for no less than 35 years, has mastered this mixing trick. Here he comes up with a fresh and convincing directorial take on an old and oft-told story.

Jacqueline Mifsud – The Full Mifsud

Written & performed by Jacqueline Mifsud. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Catfish Bar, Fitzroy. 8 – 19 April 2024

Jacqueline Mifsud has had an interesting life.  Maltese parents, Mother tried to fit in, but was fiery, irrepressible… Young Jacqueline escapes from Australia, falls in with a travelling dance troupe, has four years in Paris as an English language tour guide (dependent on tips), back to Australia, launches into stand up, wins awards, adds MC-ing, appears on television…  Now, at thirty-eight, to quote her blurb, she’s ‘single, childless and self-employed.’ 

Carmen

Choreography: Johan Inger. Score by Georges Bizet. The Australian Ballet. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. April 10 – 24, 2024

Johan Inger’s startling ballet Carmen shifts our focus from the famed femme fatale to the defeated Don Jose who swoons over her.  Callum Linnane excels as the sexually uncertain prison guard – having to lock up Carmen – dancing tall and lyrical, then crumpled into angular gestures by his unrequited love.  

Linnane is beautifully expressive of Inger’s cocktail of classical and contemporary movement (and music) in this dark psychoanalytical interruption.

A Shortcut to Happiness

By Roger Hall. Therry Theatre. The Arts Theatre – 53 Angus Street, Adelaide. 11th - 20th April 2024

A Shortcut to Happiness is a comedy from New Zealand playwright Roger Hall and follows Therry Theatres popular season in 2023 of his play Four Flat Whites in Italy.  Directed by Kerrin White, it is an unlikely love story peppered with comedy from a group of women who are determinedly and desperately seeking male companions, and a self-righteous know it all couple, all of whom form a folk dancing class. If you are unsure about seeing the play, get there to see Greg Janzow’s hen pecked, down trodden, seemingly mute portrayal of Ray.

Kuah Jenhan – Noted With Thanks

Written & performed by Kuah Jenhan. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Trades Hall, Meeting Room. 8 – 21 April 2024

Popular across Asia – and MICF stalwart - comedian Kuah Jenhan finally got himself a ‘real job’.  At thirty-five.  In advertising.  For the same reasons anyone gets a real job.  His comedian mates accused him of selling out.  Kuah admits that’s true; he did sell out – for a regular wage, health care, paid holidays, superannuation…  For him, the lot of comedians who don’t sell out, who keep their integrity, is ‘crying in the streets’ – Kuah sees them as he rides past in his car.  Mean, huh?

For the Love of Paper

By Almitra Mavalvala. KXT on Broadway, Sydney, produced by BCD Theatre and Cultural Shock Theatrical. Directed by Kersherka Sivakumaran. April 5 – 20, 2024

The first thing of note about this world premiere of Almitra Mavalvala’s 3-hander is the excellent setting, designed by Paris Bell and contributed to by many. On the small traverse Broadway stage it displays many, many aspects of the Sydney flat shared by Kaveh, a Muslim doctor from Afganistan, and Amaliah, a Christian singer from Pakistan.

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