Reviews

There is nothing in theatre more powerful than an actor at the pinnacle of his performing ability, seamlessly melding art and craft to perfection: Colin Friels is that actor. He and Justin Butcher’s Scaramouche Jones come together at a moment in both their lives where they truly connect, and it’s a theatrical marriage made in…well, you know how clichés go.

The 25th Anniversary concert performance of Jekyll & Hyde drew a capacity and highly appreciative crowd in Hamer Hall.

Players from the MSO in pared-down orchestral ensemble - under the confident and stylish direction of Vanessa Scammell - deftly crafted the fraught, gothic atmosphere demanded by Frank Wildhorn's music.  Although the instrumentalists took up much of the Hamer Hall stage, their musical presence and ensemble with the singers - as the vocal performers roamed over a series of catwalks, platforms and staircases - was impeccable.

UnHOWsed is the sharing of experiences of homelessness by eight older women.  It commences with the strikingly powerful singing by Karen Corbett of “Some Say (I Got Devil)” by Melanie Safka. Corbett’s voice reaches out and richly fills the St Kilda air around Theatre Works with a sense of defiance and liberation.

Second Coming has taken Swan Hill by storm.  It is a great little show and word has it that the last three performances were fully booked out.  It’s a passionate and truly entertaining production that is full of puns, laughs and chuckles that reference our Australian Culture.   Created by a strong multi-talented team of theatre makers, many of whom double up in performing as well as creative roles, this show really packs a punch.