Reviews

Uncle Vanya

By Anton Chekhov, adapted by David Mamet. Canberra Repertory Society. Directed by Geoffrey Borny. Theatre 3, Acton. 28 April – 14 May, 2016

In vino veritas: in wine is truth. One of the most beautiful, truthful moments in Rep’s production comes when Voynitzky (the Uncle Vanya of the title), drunk on vodka, drops his emotional shield of sarcasm and flippant humour, and speaks softly, from the heart, of his love for Yelena. His bravado vanishes and his cadence changes in a way that is natural, familiar and unstereotyped. Less sensitive direction could have made had Vanya a regular loud drunk, stumbling and slurring words, but instead the vodka leaves him disarmed.

There’s No One New Around You: The Tinder Musical

By Kiera Daley, Steven Kreamer (on piano), and Mark Simpson. Directed and performed by the authors. 12th Annual Sydney Comedy Festival, Factory Theatre. April 27-29, 2016.

As part of the current Sydney Comedy Festival this great little show played for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it run. Which is a pity as this show deserves better exposure.

For those who don’t know, “Tinder” is a mobile phone app that lets its users find other suitable users, mainly for casual sex. The title comes from the message that pops-up when you exhaust all of your potential matches on the app.

Tape

By Stephen Belber. Play Dead Theatre Company. The Court House Hotel, 86-90 Errol Street, North Melbourne. 27 April – 7 May 2016

A down market motel room in Lansing, Michigan.  A dishevelled guy, Vince (Michael Mack) in his underwear – restless, on tenterhooks, drinking.  He’s expecting someone.  Someone arrives: Vince’s best buddy from high school, Jon (Adam Hetherington).  Jon is a filmmaker, in town for a film festival with his latest movie.  Jon is idealistic about the power of cinema to influence society, but his movie sounds like schlock.  So right off there’s a little disparity between Jon’s view of Jon and Jon himself.  And Vince?  He&rsquo

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare. Queensland Theatre Company. Directed by Jason Klarwein. Playhouse Theatre at QPAC, Brisbane. 23 April to 15 May, 2016

One of Shakespeare's famous comedies is being given special treatment by QTC's artistic team here in Brisbane, having a modern tropical 5 star resort backdrop and revolving stage to set the scene for all the fun and frivolity of this quaint tale of love and lust, complete with all the numerous repercussions this can have on human relations.

Oliver!

Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Based on the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Wyong Musical Theatre Company. The Art House, Wyong. April 27- May 1, 2016.

It's here! It was 12 years in the planning (and re-planning and rescheduling) but it's here! Wyong Shire has her very own multi-purpose performance arts space. Pulling up in front of the former Memorial Hall site now feels totally surreal. With it's streamlined, glass visage, through to the spacious foyer, very high ceilings and the 500 seat theatre (with balcony seating!) you could be forgiven for mumbling to yourself “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Wyong anymore”.

The Cherry Orchard

By Anton Chekhov, adapted by David Mamet. New Theatre (NSW). April 26 – May 28, 2016.

This is a competent, often engaging production of Chekhov’s famous 1904 classic about people lost in social transition.  Today we arguably face even more upheavals but, despite Jonathan Hindmarsh’s modern costuming, such a contemporary take on Chekhov is not explored here. 

F**king Parasites

By Ninna Tersmann. La Mama Theatre, Carlton (VIC). 27 April – 8 May 2016

Ninna Tersmann began working on her play about asylum seekers in Sweden ten years ago.  She interviewed refugees and asylum speakers with traumatic experiences whose stories were nevertheless not believed.  She interviewed frustrated lawyers, police officers, doctors, nurses, interpreters and politicians.  Ten years ago, she says in a program note, the situation was already difficult. 

They Saw a Thylacine

By HUMAN ANIMAL EXCHANGE. Created and Performed by Justine Campbell and Sarah Hamilton. A Performing Lines / HUMAN ANIMAL EXCHANGE co-production. The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre 27-28 April and touring nationally.

They Saw a Thylacine premiered in 2013 at the Melbourne Fringe Festival (winning the Tour Ready and Best Performance awards and many others), and last year had a season at the Malthouse Theatre. Most critics raved, and with good reason; it’s so superbly crafted. Central to success of the production is the tone of the main characters (and one or two notable minor ones). Justine Campbell and Sarah Hamilton each wrote their own parts, creating and performing distinct and different voices.

The Detective’s Handbook

Book and Lyrics by Ian Ferrington. Music by Olga Solar. New Musicals Australia / Hayes Theatre Co. Directed by Jonathan Biggins. April 21 – May 7, 2016

There is a new voice in Australian musical theatre – and like the Broadway sensation Hamilton, it is set to the rhythm of rap, but with a jazz music score.

One theatre veteran in the foyer described it as the best lyrics to a new locally written work in decades. Here is a taste.

"We went to arrest him, carefully planned it,

caught him red-handed - his confession was candid

but when the man took the stand he recanted,

You understand what duty demanded:

Next to Normal

By Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. Phoenix Ensemble. Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh. April 22 – May 14, 2016

When a theatre company that calls a small tin shed home says they are going to be performing a musical like Next to Normal, you wonder what secrets they have hidden up their sleeves. Phoenix Ensemble definitely pulled out some of their best work to make this production happen.

The themes of the show, especially mental illness, aren't often discussed on the musical theatre stage, so all credit to director David Harrison for proposing the show and making it so accessible.

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