Reviews

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

By Allan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater and Doug Wright. HAMA. Directed by Olivia Collier. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Sep 24 - Oct 10, 2021

HAMA’s production of The Little Mermaid is a beautifully produced, sumptuous treat of a show. Perfectly timed for the school holidays, it’s a top-notch production with appeal for all ages.

With excellent production values, from the moment the blue shimmery curtain opens on this production, this show has a gorgeous look, with an impressive multilevel set, designed by Maeli Cherel, picturesque costumes and a stunning lighting plot from Max Mackenzie. There is some great makeup and hairstyling from Manuao TeAotonga.

Class of 2021 Acting and Musical Theatre Showcase

Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium. Burke Street Studio Theatre. 22–25 September, 2021

Having weathered the storms of Covid-19 and lockdowns, Griffith's Class of '21 must surely be the most resilient alumni to have ever graduated from the university's acting and musical theatre courses. The students have had to adapt to remote learning through online classes and workshops to maintain their quest to be industry-ready.

Ladies’ Day

By Amanda Wittington. Ipswich Little Theatre. Director: Jane Sheppard & Di Johnston. Incinerator Theatre, Ipswich, Qld 23 Sep – 9 Oct 2021

With the spring racing carnival just around the corner, Ipswich Little Theatre’s choice to program this trifle was sound, and with a strong cast, the laughs were plenty.

Hay Fever

By Noël Coward. Directed by Barry Park. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth WA. Sep 24-Oct 9, 2021

Old Mill Theatre’s production of Hay Fever shows that Noël Coward is still a great seller, with this show, advertised as “the well-loved comic masterpiece”, all but sold-out before it opened.

Z6QCQ6 Code of Rituals

Written and directed by Bello Benischauer. Existence Theatre. Victoria Hall, Fremantle WA. Sep 22-25, 2021

Existence Theatre’s World Premiere of Z6QCQ6 Code of Rituals is, appropriately, a highly ritualistic piece of theatre. Intimate and immersive, with audience involvement, it combines movement and dance with physical theatre and asks its audience to “witness and experience what it is like to feel”.

The Drowsy Chaperone

Music & lyrics: Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. Book: Bob Martin & Don McKellar. Savoyards. Director: Robbie Parkin. Musical Director: Benjamin Tubb-Hearne. Choreographer: Natalie Lennox. Star Theatre, Manly, Qld. 25 September – October 9, 2021

The ‘Man in the Chair’ character in this musical confection reminds us that good musical theatre should be ‘short, free of actors who roam the audience, and blessed with a story and a few good songs that will take me away.’ The Drowsy Chaperone does just that, and puts a smile on everyone’s face in the process.

The One Who Planted Trees

By Amberly Cull and Nick Pages Oliver. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Fremantle, WA. Directed by Philip Mitchell. Sep 25-Oct 9, 2021

Rather than attend the official Opening Night of The One Who Planted Trees, I had the pleasure of attending a schools matinee with many dozens of children, all of whom appeared to be enraptured by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s very first musical.

Students from Sawyers Valley Primary are lending their very informed voices to this review. Yr 2-6 students attended the performance as part of their Performing Arts and Sustainability studies.

Evita

Music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Lyrics by Tim Rice. The Gilbert & Sullivan Soc. of SA Inc. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. Sept 23 – Oct 2, 2021

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA Inc are presenting one production in 2021 and what a production it is! The iconic musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice centres on the life of Argentine political leader and second wife of Argentine President Juan Peron and her rise from impoverished beginnings to become Argentina’s answer to Princess Diana.

It may be sixty-nine years since Evita’s death, but the musical’s themes of duality, politics and female empowerment still resonate.

Tilt 2

Written and directed by WAAPA 3rd Year Performance Making Students. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. Sep 15-18, 2021

Tilt 2 is the second part of a performance series by WAAPA Performance Making students, and is their final independent project as they near the end of their studies. The second program features 6 performance pieces, all written, devised, directed and performed by the students.

The Addams Family - Young at Part

By Marshall Brickman Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa. Stirling Players. Directed by Fran Gordon. Stirling Theatre, Morris Pl, Innaloo, WA. Sep 17- Oct 2, 2021

Young at Part scripts are shortened versions of loved musicals, adapted for younger performers. Stirling Players’ version of The Addams Family might be slightly cut down, but it still packs a big punch - a strong production that is very nicely performed.

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