Reviews

The Golem: or, Next Year in Jerusalem

Devised by Humphrey Bower and Tim Green with Hazem Shammas. Movement Direction by Natalie Allen. The Blue Room, James St, Northbridge WA. Dec 1-12, 2020

The Golem: or, Next Year in Jerusalem is really two plays, performed by two actors in two spaces concurrently with both actors and the two audience groups moving between the two spaces. On Saturday evenings, audiences can choose to watch both shows in a 120 minute experience.

Downtown!

Created by: Phillip George, David Lowenstein and Peter Charles Morris. Players Theatre, Ballina. Directed by Sue and Paul Belsham. 4th – 20th December, 2020

Six years and six months ago (to the day) I saw the first production of Downtown in Ballina, as staged by Sue and Paul Belsham’s company SUPA NORTH, and this restaging of the “Mod Musical” was an inspired choice as Ballina’s re-emergence post COVID-19.  The audience (reduced in size to comply with restrictions) loved every minute of this trip down memory lane.

Oklahoma!

By Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Richard Carroll, musical direction by Victoria Falconer. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Nov 28 - Dec 20, 2020

Historically, Oklahoma! is a landmark musical - the first collaboration of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers, and a show that changed audience expectations of the genre. The first audiences must have found it new, surprising and fresh. We usually think of it now as a nostalgic piece, and a safe, predictable, if very loved, musical.

Pippin

Book by Roger O. Hirson. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Produced by John Frost and Suzanne Jones. Sydney Lyric. Opening Night – Dec 3, 2020.

It was a thrill to finally return to a crowded, albeit masked theatre, to see a big musical. The opening night audience was excited to be there and gave a well-deserved ovation to the spectacular song “Magic to Do” - which combined a lovely tune, colourful costumes and circus tricks.

Pippin – first staged on Broadway in 1972 – is not a tier one commercial musical with general public name recognition that we are used to seeing in this venue, but is more in the field of classics which music theatre aficionados relish.

The Wharf Revue 2020: Good Night and Good Luck

By Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phil Scott. Sydney Theatre Company. Directed by Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe. Parramatta Riverside Theatres in November 2020, then touring until February 2021.

The original Wharf Revue trio, with the talented assistance of Amanda Bishop, is back on tour with another collection of pithy parodies and caustic caricatures!

Based on the chaos of the year gone by, they wittily appraise everything from the bush fires (How do we Solve a Problem from Hawaii) to pork-barrelling (The Adventures of Bridget McKenzie) to more ‘intimate relationships’ (The Premier’s Dating Service).

Misfits School of Arts

Book and lyrics by Tim O’Connor. Music and orchestration by Dennet Hudson. Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre. Directed by Tim O’Connor. Harvest Theatre Stafford Qld. Nov 25 – Dec 5, 2020.

My first visit to the Harvest Rain Theatre was very productive, with such an exciting crop of talent on display as they reaped the benefits of their lessons there. This is a completely original production from the writing and composition to the staging. The stage is an open space on the floor, which meant the many dancers could launch into the routines with freedom and liberty – and they did.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

By Oscar Wilde. Adapted and directed by Kip Williams. Sydney Theatre Company. Roslyn Packer Theatre. Nov 25 – Dec 19, 2020

Just as Sydney theatre capacities have been lifted, arrives this perfectly timed brilliant production, which is up there with anything audiences have enjoyed streaming from the finest companies in the world. 

It began simply enough, with a bare stage and a single screen which Eryn Jean Norvill (the only actor in the production) was projected up onto, from a live broadcast.

The initial straightforward monologue was pleasant enough, as we focused on the fine porcelain features of her face and those deep expressive eyes.

Reuben Kaye Online

Melbourne Fringe. November 2020

Reuben Kaye’s new Melbourne Fringe show was performed at Assembly Checkpoint in Edinburgh in 2019 and is testament to his amazing talents. He is a sensational cabaret showman with an acerbic tongue and high-camp charm.

After winning a bunch of accolades from the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and the Adelaide Fringe between 2017 and 2019, he has gone on to perform and host on UK Channel 4 and Café de Paris in London, charming the pants off everyone across Europe with his signature style.

Peter Pan

Adapted by Kathleen Del Casale from the original play by J. M. Barrie. Wanneroo Repertory. Directed by Kathleen Del Casale. Limelight Theatre, Civic Dev, Wanneroo WA. Nov 26 - Dec 12, 2020

Peter Pan has been a seasonal favourite production for almost 117 years - beloved of audiences over many generations. Wanneroo Repertory brings us this family classic, with updates for a modern audience.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas

By Ken Ludwig. Harbour Theatre. Directed by Jane Sherwood. Camelot Theatre, Mosman Park, WA. Nov 27 - Dec 13, 2020

Harbour Theatre are embracing the season, with their celebratory offering Ken Ludwig’s ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

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