Reviews

Milk

By Dylan Van Den Berg. Played by Dylan Van Den Berg, Katie Beckett and Roxanne McDonald. Directed by Ginny Savage. The Street, Canberra. World Premiere. 4-12 June 2021

200 years of theft—of cultural continuity, land, children, liberty and often lives, each decade bringing a new form of oppression—have left generations of Indigenous Australians traumatised. Palawa man Dylan Van Den Berg’s exploration of his culture has resulted in the play Milk, where the protagonist finds himself on Flinders Island and able to ask the spirits of his grandmother and great-grandmother about events that have been hidden from him. Slowly, he becomes aware of stories of hardship and heartbreaking tragedy.

Blithe Spirit

By Noël Coward. Pymble Players. June 2 – 26, 2021

Upon taking my seat for this production, I was immediately impressed by the presentation and functionality of the set.  There are French Doors centre back and two single doors quite deep upstage on either side which both cleverly open with the doors downstage to as not to reveal any of the actors or potential paraphernalia in the wings.  The scenery is mostly blue with artistic touches of red everywhere which tie it all together nicely, creating a feeling of homeliness and warmth.

Disney Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton. Queensland Musical Theatre Directed by Deian Ping. Twelfth Night Theatre Brisbane. June 2 – 13, 2021.

Everyone remembers that Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a cold blooded prince who has been magically transformed into an unsightly creature as punishment for his selfish ways. His friends and colleagues have also been changed. To revert into his true human form, the Beast must learn to love a bright beautiful young woman whom he has imprisoned in his enchanted castle before it is too late. The others will then also revert to normal. Being a Disney story we know what the result will be - but the question is how does that happen.

Watchlist

By Alex Vickery-Howe. South Australian Playwrights Theatre. Bakehouse Theatre. June 2-12, 2021

Basil Pepper would have been a beagle had his mother had her way. Instead, he paints fantasy figurines and attempts to work out the deeper meanings of Fred Basset cartoons. Until he meets Delia. She was a caterer at his father’s funeral, but he soon discovers she is so much more than that. She fills his head, he sleeps in her bed, and now he’s full of ideas – and action.

The Hello Girls

Music and lyrics by Peter Mills, with book by Mills and Cara Reichel. The Therry Dramatic Society. Arts Theatre, Adelaide, June 2 – 12, 2021

The Hello Girls is based on the true history (HERstory) of America’s first women soldiers. 

The Cherry Orchard

By Anton Chekhov. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre. May 29 – June 27, 2021

Finding new life in the classics, our directors often throw the switch to vaudeville; as though we Australians can’t abide too much psychological depth or anguish.

Chekhov argued this his last play was a comedy; his first director, Stanislavski, thought it a tragedy.  Admittedly Chekhov was close to death – and it is hard to pick the laughs!  They’re in the ironies and sad humour of this household of fallible Russian characters, individuals full of yearning and anxieties about what to do next.

Lucky Numbers

By Mike Yeaman. Tea Tree Players. Tea Tree Players Theatre, Surrey Downs, SA. June 4-12, 2021

Many of us dream of winning the lottery and sadly watch our hopes crumble as numbers are read - not our own. This little light-hearted farce, Lucky Numbers by Mike Yeaman at Tea Tree Players, is certainly an unexpected lottery win. Delightfully funny and creating many giggles on a cold wet night, this story of a misplaced lottery ticket is sure to please.

Significant Other

By Joshua Harmon. New Theatre Newtown. Director: Hayden Tonazzi. June 1- 26, 2021

What a coup for the New to have snapped up the Australian premiere of Significant Other – a beautifully written play that takes a different, deeper look at the complex relationship between gay men and the women who love them … and what happens when those friendships change. When any friendship changes for that matter … and someone feels left out.

The Pirates of Penzance

By Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA. Directed by Alan Needham. Dolphin Theatre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA. June 2-12, 2021

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA celebrates its 70th Anniversary in 2021, and what better way to celebrate than by reviving what is Gilbert and Sullivan’s most well-known work. This sold out production is a very traditional incarnation, with excellent singing and great use of humour.

Void

Writer and Director: Chamkau Gill. Wild Dreamer Productions. H.O.T.A., Gold Coast. June 3 – 5, 2021

Wild Dreamer Productions is a recent addition to the Gold Coast Theatre scene and their production of Void tells a story of the loss of an abducted child from both the mother and father’s points of view.

The scene is a local park where the mother used to take her 4-year-old daughter to play and on the child’s 4th birthday the little girl was kidnapped while her mother was checking her phone messages.

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