Reviews

Broadway Diva

Adelaide Fringe: World Premiere. The Barbara Hardy Garden at Holden Street Theatres. Tue 21 Feb - Thu 23 Feb, Fri 24 Feb, Sat 25 Feb, 2023

On a hot summer’s night, the Barbara Hardy Sunken Garden at Holden Street Theatres is the perfect spot (you must forgive the dratted airplane noise) for 60 minutes of those ‘earworm songs’, the songs that stay with you even if you only know a smattering of the music or lyrics, and it is 20 of these both very well-known and lesser loved Broadway, West End and some Opera classics that soprano Olivia Ruggiero uses to create her World Premiere show, Broadway Diva.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

By William Finn, Rebecca Feldman and Rachel Sheinkin. Laughing Horse Productions. Directed by Adam Salathiel. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA. Feb 10-18, 2023

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented well, is great fun for an audience, and Laughing Horse Productions’ spirited rendition was very well received.

Simply staged, with the show’s solid 5-piece ensemble led by Musical Director Natalie Winsall, present on stage (and occasionally brought into the action). This intimate production included lots of audience involvement and extended the show into the auditorium. 

Virginia

By Edna O’Brien. La Mama HQ. February 14 – 26, 2023.

Virginia, a play by the multi award winning feminist Irish writer Edna O’Brien, is based on Virginia Woolf’s personal relationships with her father, her husband (Leonard Woolf), and her lover Vita Sackville West. Nicholas Opolski (director and designer) offers a curious and bold interpretation of the original text.

The Rocky Horror Show

By Richard O’Brien. Produced by Rocky Horror Company Ltd. Theatre Royal, Sydney. Opening Night, Saturday February 18, 2023

The audience is full of anticipation as a lonely usherette crosses the stage, singing her ode to the Science Fiction double feature. She draws back a sparkly red curtain and, hinting at the mayhem to come, allows all to suspend disbelief for 2 hours. 

Chicago

Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. The Spotlight Theatrical Company, Gold Coast. Directed by Cilla Scott. 17th Feb - 18th March 2023

Spotlight have burst into 2023 like a round of machine gun fire with an incendiary production of Chicago.

A super talented cast under the tasteful and experienced eye of director Cilla Scott proves once again why the gap between professional and community theatre gets smaller every year. This production could easily play the Hayes or The Riverside and hold its own against any main stage company.

Choir Boy

By Tarell Alvin McCraney. National Theatre of Parramatta. Directors Dino Dimitriadis and Zindzi Okenyo. Riverside Theatre Parramatta. 18 Feb – 11 March, 2023, then touring.

Congratulations Dino Dimitriadis and Zindzi Okenyo! Your production of this touching, funny, sad, serious play is special in every way. You have reached into the heart of this very beautiful writing and allowed its messages – and your talented cast – to shine. That they shine so brightly as part of WorldPride makes this production even more special.

The Thin Man

A Radio Play, based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett. New Farm Nash Theatre, Brisbane. Directed by Philippa Dwyer. February 17 – March 11, 2023.

This production follows the tradition of Lux Radio Theatre, performing radio plays before live audiences for about twenty years from the mid 1930s. A retired detective and his wealthy wife decide to stimulate their own lives by trying to solve a mysterious case that comes to their attention. It is initially quite intriguing but becomes more so as the play progresses. The performers stand in front of the microphones and reveal the various characters by voice only with the help of the sound effects, also done on stage.

Maho Magic Bar

Adelaide Fringe. The Garden of Unearthly Delights. 17 February – 19 March, 2023

Welcomed from the glare of the venue’s extensive neon signs, we’re shown into an intimate space with a lofty ceiling, and then to our seats at one of four bars. We are being served and entertained by Japanese sleight-of-hand superstars: Jun Nakamura has us smiling with smart card play, Shirayuri opens our mouths in astonishment with aromas; a wry-smiling Sarito was a welcome return with his unique sense of humour; and Santa Terakado makes us laugh with his stuffed toy collection assisting his magic.

Tutti’s Big Fringe Singalong

Adelaide Fringe. Presented by Tutti Arts Inc. The Fantail (open-air) at Gluttony - Rymill Park. Sun 19 Feb, 2023

At Tutti Arts, learning disabled and neurodiverse artists create visual art, theatre, music, screen and dance, and experiment with art and technology. Tutti’s mission is to empower artists, by producing and presenting great shows, supporting Disability Led collectives, and supporting their careers. They are presenting three Fringe shows: You Ready for This?

SunSLAY Drag Cabaret

Eclipse Productions. Adelaide Fringe. Osmond Terrace Function Centre, Norwood. February 19 – March 12, 2023

“We’re all born naked, the rest is drag” - words from RuPaul Andre Charles, one of history’s most famous drag artists and the self-proclaimed “queen of drag”— an art form that has existed since ancient times and has recently rocketed to mainstream popularity.

The Osmond Terrace Function Centre, normally a venue for wedding receptions and Christmas parties, is transformed into a cabaret club complete with a mirror ball and neon sign featuring a lipstick held in a luscious pair of bright red lips.

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