Reviews

EUCMS’ performance of the classic Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Yeomen of the Guard had a very strong Community Theatre feel throughout all aspects of the production. The limitations of the stage space and orchestra area of Eastwood Uniting Church Hall didn’t deter the company from using a cast of 28 performers, which filled the Hall with a very full sound at all times but also ensutred a crowded stage in the ensemble scenes.

Improving on a well-written classic is a goal often missed in theatre, and improving on it while remaining faithful to its author’s writing and intent means aiming high indeed.  How do you infuse a well-known work with surprise or even freshness without adding to or altering what the author wished to communicate?

The Longest Minute is 85 minutes of joy! A sweet coming–of-age tale about a young girl from a mixed-race fanatical NRL family, and her obsession to play football, The Longest Minute uses the background of the Cowboys 2015 success to tell her story of family, loss, and connection.

Queensland Ballet’s new double bill gives us a ravishing Firebird and an earthy Carmen, two entirely different ballets that are stylistically poles apart.

Liam Scarlett’s thrilling ballet setting of Stravinsky’s The Firebird is a worthy successor to his glorious A Midsummer Night’s Dream, also in the company’s repertoire. First staged at the Royal Norwegian Ballet in 2013, the production is true in intent to Michel Fokine’s1910 Ballet Russes Paris premiere but given a contemporary twist.