Reviews

The Great Divide

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. 8 March – 27 April 2024

After 50 years of bashing out best-selling plays, David Williamson announced his retirement in 2020. ‘I haven’t missed it one little bit,’ he announced on the eve of his final play Crunch Time at the Ensemble Theatre, venue for nearly half his output. 

But, wait, there’s more! Four years later, at 82, he’s written no less than three new plays. And here’s the first of them, received by the Ensemble faithful with all due honour, big laughs included.

Antigone in the Amazon

Milo Rau / NTGent & MST. Adelaide Festival 2024. Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre. 15 March – 17 March, 2024

Every now and then a work comes along that simply defies the conventional. Milo Rau’s Antigone in the Amazon is one of these productions. After 1hr 50 minutes (with no interval) and the company receiving a much deserved and cheering standing ovation, I came out a little bewildered as to how will review this extraordinary work.

As You Like It

By William Shakespeare. Graduate Dramatic Society. Directed by Stephen Lee. New Fortune Theatre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA. Mar 13-23, 2024

Graduate Dramatic Society’s annual Shakespeare in the New Fortune is an end of summer tradition that is a mainstay of the Perth theatre season, and this week’s Opening Night garnered a very impressive sized audience. This modern dress and almost uncut production features a mix of new and familiar faces.

The Music Man

Book, Music & Lyrics: Meredith Willson. Story: Meredith Willson & Franklin Lacey. CentreStage. Directors: Michele Marcu & David Greenwood. Musical Director: Gabriel Taburet. Choreographer: Lochlan Erard. Geelong Arts Centre, March 8 - 23, 2024.

Meredith Willson, the renowned American composer and playwright, drew inspiration for his first musical, The Music Man, from his boyhood experiences in Mason City, Iowa.

Last Call

By Sean Guy. Directed by Tim Riessen. KADS Town Hall Theatre, Kalamunda, WA. Mar 8-23, 2024

KADS’ open their theatrical year with the first of two plays by Australian playwright Sean Guy. Set over a single evening, three seemingly disparate stories become increasingly entwined, as we add a supernatural element in the form of the personified character of Death. A show that frequently breaks the fourth wall and is aware that it is a play - it makes for interesting viewing.

Nu Disco

Written & performed by Ellen Marning. La Mama HQ. 12 – 17 March 2024

One night in a disco somewhere.  For some reason the door bitch is a German cliche, unsmiling and tough.  She makes us laugh – nervously.  She disappears and Trinity (Ellen Marning) plunges into the disco and is at once enveloped in the ambient cocoon, in the lights that ripple across her face and the bodies of the dancers and the drinkers, and the repetitive, heavy bass nu-music music like a thudding heartbeat…

OOL

By Max Barton. Directed by Max Barton. Victoria Hall, Fremantle, WA. Mar 8-23, 2024

OOL, our solo performer Max Barton tells us, is the result of eight years’ work with theatre collaborators from all over the world. Using the wealth of knowledge from the collaborators, scientists, and great thinkers, we will see life-changing theatre as we explore OOL-the Origins of Life, as part of simultaneous performances all around the world.

But the collaborative has made some changes and Max isn’t happy about them.

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business.

By Elizabeth Coleman. Directed by Jade Glitch. Roxy Lane Theatre, Maylands, WA. Feb 23 – Mar 10, 2023

Roxy Lane kicked off their 2024 Season with popular Australian comedy, Elizabeth Coleman’s Secret Bridesmaids’ Business. One of Roxy Lane’s best productions to date, the final performance was well received by a very enthusiastic audience.

Tender

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. Cirque X. The Vault at Fool's Paradise, Victoria Square, Adelaide. Mar 13 to Mar 17, 2024

Exploring the notion of Tender, this production combines the breaking down of stereotypes with some amazing aerial work, acrobatics, and cabaret.

The stage is set with a bare tubular steel cube sitting alone on the stage along with two performers who strip down to underwear. However, the male performer wears female underwear and vice versa. This tantalising opener establishes the mood for the night.

Someday We’ll Find It

Presented by Karla & Zachary. Adelaide Fringe: Studio 166 at Goodwood Theatre and Studios. 12-17 March 2024

A play written by Google search suggestions and ChatGPT shouldn’t be as compelling as this – it certainly should be so emotional. Yet what Zachary Sheridan and Karla Livingstone-Pardy have created from these unfeeling and non-judgemental sources is spellbinding. Mirroring the rabbit holes that are all too easy to disappear into when searching for something innocuous, the story is a skilful assembly of choices that Sheridan and Livingstone-Pardy have taken to provide not so much a narrative, as a stream of consciousness from unconscious algorithms.

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