Reviews

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy brings a multitude of laughs in Matthew Hobbs’ well-directed Villanova Players production. This oft revived, ever-topical play touches on themes that never go out of fashion - insider trading, honor, corruption and a money-mad society. Add in blackmail, affairs of the heart, and a good dose of Wildean wit and this Edwardian romp is as up-to-date as yesterday.

Cosi is an Australian classic, taught as part of the Australian high school English curriculum for many years. Written by Louis Nowra, it premiered in 1992 at Belvoir St Theatre. Set in a mental institution in 1971 during the volatile period of the Vietnam War, it has the potential to be dated and perhaps enter into the realm of stereotype in portraying patients with mental illness. Megan Dansie’s direction has put this under a blacklight, both physically during scene changes, and metaphorically.

Covering an established and successful group such as Led Zeppelin is a mammoth feat, but Adelaide based tribute band Whole Lotta Zepp showed none of these concerns as they took to the stage to face a sold-out audience.

Sexual Conduct of the Middle Classes depicts an ‘affair’ – and its fallout - between Jon (Dan Spielman), a successful novelist and charismatic university lecturer, and Annie (Izabella Yena), his star-struck 19-year-old student.  ‘Affair’ may not have quite the right connotations; the play is very much about the power imbalance between them – and by implication, in the wider world.