Reviews

Blue: The Songs of Joni Mitchell

Queenie van de Zandt. Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017. Chapel off Chapel. 27 June to 1 July, 2017.

As you enter the Chapel Loft, you’re shrouded in the smell of burning candles, the stage dressed in woven rugs, a self-portrait of Joni.

Piece by piece a picture of her life is painted. Voice overs of Joni’s mother, lovers, friends. Beloved songs performed by Queenie van de Zandt and her three-piece band including pianist and the show’s musical director, Vicky Jacobs. Van de Zandt’s voice pierces your heart.

Dolly Diamond’s The Lady is a Tramp

Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Chapel off Chapel. 27 June to 1 July 2017

I couldn’t go to the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017 without catching Artistic Director, Dolly Diamond’s show, The Lady is a Tramp, a fun-filled romp of adult humour, daring costumes and girl-power songs.

In true cabaret style, each performance is unique. While Diamond did shows of the same title in Perth and Adelaide, she explained, the Melbourne season is different again. I imagine, every night is different! Diamond is truly a master of improvisation, spitting out sassy comments quicker than a popcorn machine.

Mr Stink

By Maryam Master, based on the book by David Walliams. CDP Kids. Director: Jonathan Biggins. Gardens Theatre, Brisbane. June 24-July 2, 2017, followed by NSW/ACT tour in July.

Mr Stink is a multi-layered play in a single-story context, and for an hour’s entertainment in the school holidays, it is a valuable experience for parents and children.

For school children, the play goes like this:

A young school girl befriends a homeless man and tries to help him out when a would-be local government MP (AKA, the young girl’s mother) says all homeless people should be banned from her area of town.

Older kids and adults will read a little more into it:

Alice In Wonderland

Adapted and directed by Terri Brabon. TheatreiNQ. Anderson Gardens, Townsville, Queensland. 24 June to 9 July, 2017

Set against a lush background of raintrees and tropical rainforest, this production of Alice in Wonderland has been re-worked by director/adapter Terri Brabon for a contemporary production which can only be described in these words – original, inventive and delightful.

100 Reasons for War (War, What is it Good For?)

By Tom Holloway. La Mama. June 21 to June 25, 2017

This production by La Trobe’s Student Theatre is most impressive and completely engaging.  Performed by eleven young adults with clarity and poise.  This is a testament to the skills of Director Bob Pavlich as a very experienced director of Student Theatre having been the Artistic Director of Student Theatre and Film at Latrobe University for 21 years. 

City of Angels

Book by Larry Gelbart. Music by Cy Coleman. Lyrics by David Zippel. Beenleigh Theatre Group. June 23 – July 8, 2017.

City of Angels is a musical comedy with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by David Zippel, and book by Larry Gelbart. The musical weaves together two plots, the "real" world of a writer trying to turn his book into a screenplay, and the "reel" world of the fictional film. The musical is an homage to the film noir genre of motion pictures that rose to prominence in the 1940s.

The Eisteddfod

By Lally Katz. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Jeffrey Jay Fowler. Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, WA. June 22 - July 9, 2017

In the way that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, one shouldn’t judge Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of Lally Katz’s The Eisteddfod from the poster. Released last year, the bright and funky poster picture does not reflect the starker look and darker feel of the production by Jeffrey Jay Fowler. This is black comedy, not a fantastical romp.

Songs of Love and Revolution

Adelaide Cabaret Festival Closing Variety Gala. Her Majesty’s Theatre. 24th June, 2017

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival can quite successfully claim to be one of the best in the world. From the lavish glittering showcase that was the opening Gala, through the myriad of performances during the festival, to the smashing Closing Variety Gala at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide has been treated to talent in spades.

Tapestry: The Songs Of Carole King

Vika Bull & Linda Bull. Dunstan Playhouse. Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2017. June 23 & 24, 2017

After seeing Dahlesque, Courtney Act, Dianne Reeves, Michael Feinstein and Matilda: The Musical – all a part of this year’s wonderful Adelaide Cabaret Festival – my final show was Tapestry – and it was the best!

Not that the others were anything less than wonderful in their own way, but this one had a particular magic and standard of excellence, as well as last minute back-stage drama, that made it special.

Journey to the Centre of Attention.

Reuben Kaye. Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Artspace.June 23rd and 24th, 2017

I had heard the rumours, but nothing could have prepared me for the tour de force that is Reuben Kaye.

A tall, devilishly handsome man doused in glitter and rhinestones and the longest eyelashes I have ever seen, he is a cross between a drag queen and a matinee idol. As he sashayed toward the stage, microphone in hand, it became apparent that he is all about the details - this is a microphone adorned with a mane of brunette locks.

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