Reviews

With so many students doing music theatre courses, it was a pleasant surprise to find classical singers in most of the major roles for this production of The King and I. Unfortunately the sound guys couldn’t cope, there was quite a bit of distortion and the voices were often too loud, even though they were holding back.

Though it may seem a long way to Ferntree Gully, it’s always worth the effort to visit 1812 Theatre. For this, their third season of the year, Director Chris Proctor has pulled out all the stops for an ambitious production of The Book of Everything – a deceptively simplistic play that gives a child’s perception of a complex and multi-layered adult world. It’s a charming and beguiling play…but nowhere near as easy as it seems.

David Mamet may be one of the world's most respected living playwrights, but for me, as a story Glengarry Glen Ross doesn't really resonate. Having said that, Black Swan State Theatre Company's latest production is a quality show in many other ways.

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Tasmania presented Iolanthe, in a “pared back”, but high standard, entertaining production, which could be used as an introductory G&S for newcomers to the genre. Staunch G&S buffs may need bigger, fuller casts and ensembles and the full-blown G&S operetta/light opera experience to get their fix, but the whimsical, fast, jolly production, under the tight direction of Robert Manion, was just the ticket for this theatre-goer.