Reviews

Satirists have to move with the times and so when the sparkling Blazey Best came on stage as the beautifully quaffed Michaelia Cash, she apologised for being late due to a staff farewell function – referencing the resignation, the night before, of the minister’s press secretary. 

Jonathan Biggins too settled in for large helpings of improvisation as Donald Trump. He wound up the audience when they didn’t get a gag. My first wife was a blank cheque….err that was blank Czech.

In a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it season Blackout brings out In the Heights , and entertains us with  a joyous display of a slice of life in a US barrio in New York.

In the Heights won four Tonys including Best Musical. While there’ve been professional productions around the world, it’s Broadway success has never translated outside of Broadway (though a film version is supposedly in the works). So it’s very welcome that an amateur company is giving us a chance to see what all the fuss was about.

Engadine’s Chicago is full of Class and Razzle Dazzle.

Sue Bunt’s inspired direction and set design, Josh Ransom’s tight musical direction, Craig Nhobbs’s amazing choreography, the supremely talented cast, and the tech teams have pulled out all stops to ensure a professional-standard show that entertains with pizzazz and elegance.

Spotlight’s final offering for the year is the blockbuster musical Les Misérables and what a fitting finale it is!

This is Musical Theatre at its best! Musically, the show sparkles with brilliant singing and orchestral work under the baton of M.D. Matt Pearson.

The large cast of 44 all revel in their various (and numerous) roles, with the visual aspect in the capable hands of Choreographer Jess Papst. Tony Alcock’s direction really brings this Victor Hugo epic to life.