Reviews

The Rainmaker

By N. Richard Nash. Directed by Anita Bound. KADS Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. May 8-30, 2015

KADS brings the beautiful story of The Rainmaker to their Kalamunda stage, with a nicely presented production of N. Richard Nash's  romantic.

Set in Kansas, in 1935 in a drought, Alistair Woodcock and Geoff Rumsey's set recreates the Curry household, the local sheriff's office and the Curry's tack-room with detail and accuracy, with costuming by Rose Weighell also helping to recreate the era. James Glasson and Stephen Marr's lighting design adds to the feeling of heat and dryness, while the sound design by Lindsay Goodwin and Julie Hicking adds whimsy.

The Wizard of Oz

Music and Lyrics Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, based on the book by L. Frank Baum. Spotlight Theatre, Benowa, Gold Coast. Director/Choreographer: Tess Burke. May 15th – June 6, 2015.

They say – never work with kids or animals; but in this case nothing could be further from the truth.

Three grandchildren and I entered into the world of witches, little people, talking animals, caring adults and a girl who sings like ….Dorothy!!! AND a precious little dog who didn’t put a foot wrong!

I’d already heard this presentation was delightful – it is. 

The Three Musketeers

By Alexandre Dumas, adapted by Ken Ludwig. The Genesian Theatre, Sydney. May 16 – 27, 2015.

Sword fighting, swash-buckling heroism, a conniving cardinal, a kitsch king and an aldulterous queen! What’s not to like?

This production is a bit of fun that’s fairly well done for a community theatre and some actors who have never held a sword before! They look good, they fight well and they do their best with a script that is an ambitious adaptation of a well known and oft’ adapted novel.

Never The Sinner

By John Logan. Director: Dan Lane. Nash Theatre. Merthyr Road Uniting Church, New Farm, Brisbane. 9-30 May 2015

Nash Theatre’s second entry in their 2015 series of “murder” plays is John Logan’s compelling look at Leopold and Loeb’s heinous thrill-kill in 1924 Chicago and their subsequent trial where they were defended by legendary defence attorney Clarence Darrow.

One Suitcase: Four Stories

Collaboration between performer Linda Catalano and director Penelope Bartlau. Barking Spider Visual Theatre at the Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival. Northcote Town Hall, West Wing, Northcote (VIC). 13 – 17 May 2015

The stage is an Italian kitchen – but one in the suburbs of Melbourne rather than Calabria.  Drying herbs and salamis hang from the overhead drying frame.  A big pot of sugo (sauce) stands ready.  Piles of tomatoes, an aubergine, some zucchini.  A big lump of pasta dough waits to be rolled out.  The audience sits at big wooden tables – each table equipped with its own pasta dough, a board, flour, a stick rolling pin, bunches of parsley, bottles of wine and cutlery in a box.  

Encoded

Stalker Theatre. Presented as part of SEGUE Festival at The Street Theatre, Canberra. 8-9 May 2015.

Encoded messes with your mind in the best possible way, creating optical and temporal illusions by melding live dance and acrobatics with a projected fluid video. The piece opened with extraordinarily beautiful figures, which in the blackness appeared to be made of swirling light. The light danced on their torsos and faces, brilliant red and delicate blue.

Legally Blonde The Musical

Music & Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin. Book: Heather Hach. Engadine Musical Society. Sutherland Entertainment Centre. May 13 – 17, 2015.

Haven’t seen the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon? Don’t know the plot? Archetypal blonde Elle Woods qualifies for Harvard Law solely to pursue the guy who has dumped her for a more suitable fiancé. After finding her own brand of legal smarts, which stretch well beyond dusty law books, she makes her mark, finds academic success, and finally love with the right guy.

The musical version of this feel-good story is played out with snappy enthusiasm in this production.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice. Neptune Productions, Tweed Heads Civic Centre. Director/Musical Director: Wendy Fahey May 8th - May 17th, 2015

After a 12 month hiatus Neptune Productions have staged 'Joseph' with style. Casey Fegan repeats his performance of several years ago and is complemented by the talented Louise Harris as the Narrator. Strong performances also came from Jackson Brash as Pharaoh and Samantha Naday as Mrs Potiphar.

Lloyd Webber’s tuneful score was presented by the enthusiastic children’s choir and the pit orchestra supporting the adult members of the cast.

Rotunda

The New Zealand Dance Company. Riverside Theatres, Parramatta. May 13 – 16, 2015.

Timed to honour the Gallipoli landings in 1915, Rotunda brings together contemporary dance and the haunting role that brass bands have played in farewelling servicemen (often from the rotundas in parks in country towns) as they left for the front – and accompanying them again as they march, year after year, to remember the fallen.

PESCADO: A Circus Cabaret Fusion

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). 2nd year students. Directed by Hayden Spencer and Carita Farrer Spencer. NICA National Circus Centre, Movement Studio. May 13 – 16, 2015

There is something clearly fishy going on at NICA, the only institution in Australia where you can get a Bachelor degree in Circus Arts. The 2nd year students have pooled their talents (yes a fishy pun…) to create a piscean inspired cabaret.

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