Reviews

Little Emperors

By Lachlan Philpott.Directed by Wang Chong. Asia Topa. Malthouse Theatre, The Beckett. 9 – 26 February 2017

Little Emperors is multi layered.  It is a personal family story that is profoundly meshed in the immeasurably burdensome cultural story of China’s One Child Policy.  It is presented in a wonderful surreal abstracted way, and yet, surprisingly, it also accentuates the naturalistic and acutely personal via the use of ‘state of the art’ Audio-Visual projection.

BU21

By Stuart Slade. Outhouse Theatre Company. Old 505 Theatre. February 8 – 25, 2017

Outhouse Theatre Company’s mesmerising production of Stuart Slade’s play BU21 at the Old 505 Theatre is a fascinating, compelling piece of theatre-not to be missed, directed by Erin Taylor and produced by Jeremy Waters. Slade’s play was first performed in London at the Theatre 503, in 2016, then transferred to the West End, in co-production with Kuleshov.

West End to Broadway ... in the Reservoir

The Movie Musicals. Brisbane's Underground Opera House. The Spring Hill Reservoir. February 10-26, 2017. On tour around Queensland

Underground Opera Company returns to Brisbane in the acoustic-rich caverns of the one of Brisbane's famous landmarks, this time with a selection of well-known favourites from movie musicals of the past and present. Hosted by the animated Bruce Edwards both at the entrance and on the surround-sound stage, and superbly accompanied by Brendan Murtagh at the piano, this is an intimate night of mainstream entertainment and a showcase of excellent vocal talent and theatrical versatility.

Visiting Mr Green

By Jeff Baron. Pymble Players. February 15 – March 11, 2017

This delightful two-hander has been produced around the world since 1996. It’s tender yet thought provoking, and its messages lose none of their impact despite the twenty years of ‘progress’ since it was first performed.

The Red Detachment of Women

National Ballet of China.As Part of Asia Topa Festival. State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. February 15 – 18, 2017.

I don’t know why Melbourne’s newest cultural festival is Asia Topa and not the more memorable Asia Topia, but the organisers have presented the elite National Ballet of China as the highlight of the inaugural festival, and it’s a marvellous chance to experience even more cultural diversity in Melbourne.

The Flick

By Annie Baker. Queensland Theatre / Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre. QPAC. February 10 – Mar 5, 2017

Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Flick comes to life by Queensland Theatre in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre and a Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre. Described by Artistic Director Sam Strong as ‘a contemporary Chekhov’ – this production exposes the surprising tenderness and comedy in the everyday.

The Girl From Oz

Courtney Act. Salon Perdu Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden, Fringe World, Northbridge, WA. Feb 14-19, 2017

Courtney Act’s superb cabaret The Girl From Oz is a celebration of the fact 'there is no place like home’, a wonderful collection of Australian songs - a love letter to Australia after seven years in the US.

Stunningly beautiful and gorgeously frocked, Courtney sings up a storm as she performs songs made famous by Olivia Newton-John, Sia, ACDC and of course ‘our’ Kylie.

Cat FM

The Black Flamingo, The Pleasure Garden, Fringe World, Northbridge, WA. Feb 14-19, 2017

Cat FM is a radio station for cats, by cats. Patrons of this production become a feline studio audience.

Set in a world where a whole lot of things are going on (zombies and evil equines being just part of the problem), we follow our radio host cats played by Alice Winn and Chris Turner, as they present their daily show. This duo work beautifully together, with wonderful synchronicity.

Interspersed with some clever and witty sketch comedy - this bizarre little show has plenty of appeal.

Suitable for humans and free for cats.

Disgraceful Cougars

Fringe World. Salon Perdu Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden, Fringe World, Northbridge, WA. Feb 15-19, 2017

In Disgraceful Cougars, cabaret diva Disgraceful Kelly joins drag star Cougar Morrison, in a madcap romp that keeps the audience on their toes.

Playfully carefree, and slightly manic, this carefully disorganised cabaret sees the unlikely pairing discussing auditions, their love-lives, botox and just why Disgraceful Kelly is not on the poster. Gorgeously opposed, she is curves and old school-glamour while he rocks the worlds tiniest hot-pants.

One Hit Wanda, Karaoke Killer

Directed by Andrew Baker and Cinzia Lee.Fringe World. Ace’s Cabaret, Downstairs at the Maj, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, WA. Feb 14-18, 2017

It makes complete sense that professional assassins have a penchant for karaoke, and of course their specialty would be One Hit Wonders. This is the premise for One Hit Wanda, performed by Cinzia Lee.

The beautifully attired Wanda regales the audience with her exploits as a paid killer, between expertly performing one hit wonders with style.

Fellow assassins should be warned. If Wanda spots you in the audience, she may drag you onto the stage to perform by her side - just don’t refuse or stuff it up. The woman is a professional hit-woman after all.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.