Reviews

The Hitmen

By Mish Wittrup. The Peacock Theatre (Tas). Director- Tai Gardner. Production. Designer – Megan Kenna. Lighting – Chris ‘Wolfe’ McBride. 17-25 March 2023

The Hitmen could be about the would-be assassins. It might be about the callous nature of the corporate world and the insensitive process of the group job interview where, to succeed over the other applicants is not, it seems, dissimilar to the justification of ones very existence. But The Hitmen is also about the reasons people choose to stay alive, especially when death appears to be imminent or even preferable.  

The Mystery of the Valkyrie

Written and directed by Michael Futcher. Produced by Woodward Productions. Playhouse Theatre QPAC. March 11th-19th, 2023

In the glossy and elegant programme for The Mystery of the Valkyrie, producer Alex Woodward talks about his passion for “gateway theatre” where artistic integrity is maintained at the same time as reaching non-theatre-going public, as well as seasoned patrons. The fact that he has succeeded - so brilliantly in this case - is due mainly to the artistic vision he has shared with writer/director Michael Futcher.

Silly Little Things

Written & performed by Laura Knaggs. The Butterfly Club, Melbourne CBD. 14 – 18 March, 2023

Laura Knaggs is a great storyteller and comedian.  In this one-woman show, she plays Rosie, a hapless millennial florist beset by those silly little things that can ruin your life: a breach with your best friend – and you don’t know why – being socially gauche, getting fall-down drunk, being totally broke because your business is failing, having an aggravating if harmless regular customer, enduring a sullen, hostile-dependent employee, battling a nasty, malicious old witch of a neighbour, who smashes the owls you bought to keep off her birds, getting desperat

The Sheep Song

Adelaide Festival, Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre. March 16 – 19, 2023

Unlike Snowball's condensation of the Seven Commandments of Animalism “Four legs, good, two legs bad” in George Orwell’s satirical, allegorical novel Animal Farm,  the main character in The Sheep Song believes that two legs will fulfil all of his dreams.

Lunenburg

By Norm Foster. Harbour Theatre. Camelot Theatre, Mosman Park, WA. March 10-25, 2023

At a time when there are quite a few excellent productions on offer in Perth, Harbour Theatre’s production is the best choice for a “feel-good” experience. This warm hug of a production is described as “a romantic comedy with a touch of lust” but might also be described as a bittersweet “almost romance” that touches the heart.

Music For Other Worlds

Adelaide Festival. Adelaide Town Hall. 15 March, 2023

Greg Mackie OAM, CEO of History Trust of South Australia, introduced the concert and gave an Acknowledgement of Country.  He reminded us that the one night Music For Other Worlds concert could never be replicated and framed that idea by a Yehudi Menuhin quote: “Improvisation is the expression of the accumulated yearnings, dreams, and wisdom of the soul.”  Rosemary Wanganeen (Kaurna and Wirringu) then entered to give a moving Welcome to Country, teaching us the correct responses.  When Ms Wanganeen asked “Niina marni?”  (“Are you all

Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. 10 March – 28 April 2023

What does a theatre company do when its star playwright retires? When the year’s one spot that is certain to pull in the crowds – the latest play from David Williamson - becomes vacant? Well, it searches back though all those past Williamson productions. And the great thing about 2010’s Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica? Not only is it a two-hander, but the original performers, Glenn Hazeldine and Georgie Parker, are both raring to go. 

Air Play

Acrobuffos / Adelaide Festival. Festival Theatre. 15-19 March, 2023

Air Play is a captivating and magical show that can only truly be appreciated by experiencing it for yourself. Created in collaboration with kinetic sculptor Daniel Wurtzel and directed by West Hyler, the show is performed by New York-based duo Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone.

Bloom, formerly a juggler, and Gelsone, formerly a ballerina, had extensive training in clowning before joining forces to become “Acrobuffos”. The pair have gained a reputation for creating original work that defies genres and elicits laughter without words.

Maureen: Harbinger of Death

By Maureen Daly. Adelaide Festival. Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. 14 - 18 March, 2023

Imagine afternoon tea (minus the food and drink) with an Aussie Aunty Mame. Rather than raising you, Maureen Daly shares her most enlightening, intimate and very personal stories to ensure that you could pen, or at least tell an exaggerated version of her marvellous, zany and off-beat life. She is very clear that she does not want to be eclipsed by someone glamorous like Cate Blanchett playing her in a theatre piece, disappointed though Cate may be.

Collapsible

By Margaret Perry. Red Line Productions and essential workers. Directed By Zoë Hollyoak & Morgan Moroney. Old Fitz Theatre. 9 March – 1 April, 2023

Essie has lost her high-profile job, and her girlfriend has left her. Her life is suddenly telescoping in on itself – and it makes her “feel more like a chair than a person. One of those folding chairs”. You know the ones she means. The collapsible ones that are hard to manipulate, tip over easily or fold in on themselves.

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