Reviews

The Dapto Chaser

By Mary Rachel Brown. Apocalypse Theatre and Griffin Independent. SBW Stables Theatre (NSW). July 1 – 25, 2015.

When Four Corners broadcast footage of widespread dirty deeds in the Greyhound racing industry, the producers of this play must have been as pleased as a puppy when its master returns home after a long trip.

Here was life imitating art, just a month or so before its run  ‘around the track’ in Sydney.  

Some good old fashioned research helped shape this play. The Dapto Chaser was deeply influenced by Mary Rachel Brown’s time speaking to people involved in the Dapto Dogs near Wollongong (south of Sydney ) .

Men

By Brendan Cowell. The Old Fitz Theatre (NSW). June 30 – July 25, 2015

The first 30 minutes of Brendan Cowell’s Men is painful. Jules (Sean Hawkins) struts around like the sun shines out of his backside, as if humans were placed on earth to marvel at his greatness. Bob (Ben O’Toole) peacocks around like the million dollar package down his pants is God’s gift to women. Guy (Jamie Timony) mopes around trying to kill himself because he feels the weight of the world’s injustices firmly on his shoulders. Three stereotypical strands of the same man? I think so, but that’s not entirely the point.

Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts

Adapted for the stage by Shake & Stir Theatre Company. Directed by Ross Balbuziente. Roundhouse Theatre, Brisbane. 4 – 11 July 2015.

There is nothing better than hearing a theatre full of children laughing. Wait! Yes there is. It’s a theatre full of adults and children all laughing together at the same things. And that is precisely what you get with Shake & Stir and La Boite Theatre Company’s co-production of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts. This production has just returned to Brisbane for a school holiday season as part of a national tour, which sees them perform up and down the east coast of Australia.

Bajazet

By Vivaldi. Pinchgut Opera. City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney. July 4 – 8, 2015

Since 2004, Pinchgut Opera has been reviving lesser-known operas of the 17th and 18th century. Each production is freshly created, from locating a forgotten work to researching its performance practice. It is then brought to vital new life accompanied by the authentic period instruments of the Orchestra of the Antipodes conducted by musical director Erin Helyard.

Dreamland

Written and directed by Terri Woodfine. Spotlight Basement Theatre, Benowa, Gold Coast. July 1st to July 11th, 2015

Panto is a wonderful way to introduce young people to the theatre and this show was a great start for my 5 year old, who was unsure what to expect.

The story: young people’s dreams taken over by nightmares and with the help of the Sandman’s magic sand, the dreams are released and everyone lives happily ever after.

Lots of songs and wonderful costumes and the traditional Panto Dame (Alex Breen) added to the fun.

Saltwater and Letters Home

By Jamie Lewis and Joe Lui respectively. TheatreWorks, 14 Acland Street, St. Kilda. 1-12 July, 2015

This double bill provides the opportunity to enjoy the experimental work of two young Singaporean performance artists. Although they are two independent pieces they are tied together by strong thematic connections.

I Puritani

By Bellini. Victorian Opera. Hamer Hall. July 2, 2015

Victorian Opera’s latest venture, I Puritani, was a triumph. Performed in concert at Hamer Hall, the orchestra was on stage with the chorus behind and several music stands along the front. As required, soloists came on stage to sing, and left when they’d finished. No director was credited in the program, but I felt someone must have directed traffic as there was nothing static about this performance.

Mary Poppins

Music & Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe. Book: Julian Fellowes. Matt Byrne Media. Arts Theatre Adelaide from July 2 – 18, 2015 and Shedley Theatre, Elizabeth from July 25 – Aug 1, 2015.

A whimsical tale about a magical nanny with a life lesson thrown in for good measure. Director Matt Byrne has produced a delightful production that will serve your childhood memories well. This childhood book made into a musical has been on the stage somewhere around the world since 2004. Bringing such a well- known character to life can be fraught with comparisons, but you would be harsh not to enjoy the energetic display of talent on the stage.

Peter Pan

Ballet by Trey McIntyre. Music: Edward Elgar and Neil DePonte. Music arranged by Neil DePonte with further instrumental arrangement by Andrew Mogrelia. Queensland Ballet @ Playhouse, QPAC. 1 July 2015.

Peter Pan flew into Brisbane just in time for the school holidays in a captivating and witty production of J.M. Barrie’s eternally youthful character.

Pluck!

Written by Steve McCall. Directed by Alan Chambers. Butterfly Club Melbourne. June 30 – July 5.

Pluck! is described as a black comedy that "grapples head on with love, lust, God and what (if anything) it means to be a man." True enough, snippets of all those thematic concerns were presented throughout this truly odd play, albeit in an extremely piecemeal way. It is the story of one Dr Pluck (Brendan Ewing), an unlikeable, self-deluded egotist who is, inexplicably, married to a woman with whom he seems to have no chemistry or connection whatsoever.

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