Shakti and Garage International. Adelaide Fringe. Adelaide Town Hall. 23-25th February, 2017
Shakti is a dancer of Indian and Japanese heritage and the cultural influences are evident in her choice of choreography. Pandora takes us on a journey of self-imposed suppression and the artist uses the myth of Pandora’s Box as a catalyst for her performance.
This venue allows for a vast performing space. Dark lighting with a splash of red illuminates venetian blinds upstage. When open, they reveal Shakti, blindfolded with a red satin sash, her feet shackled and hands bound with handcuffs. She is wearing a black latex corset.
Asia TOPA. Choreographer – Tao Ye. Arts Centre Melbourne – Playhouse .22 – 24 January 2017
Melbournians are so privileged to have this new tri-annual Asian Performance Arts Festival in Melbourne; ‘A festival celebrating Australia’s connections with contemporary Asia’.
From China we are honored to experience Tao Dance Theater’s works ‘6’ and ‘8’, performed for us by a marvelous troupe of young Chinese dancers.
As a truly exceptional and unusual experience, hopefully all Melbourne’s young dancers and choreographers will be/have been able to catch a performance.
By Michael Gow.Sydney Theatre Company/Malthouse Theatre Directed by Matthew Lutton/ Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre. Feb 18 – Mar 25, 2017
Brilliantly acted, with a spectacular set change, but lacking the emotional connection of smaller productions. That was one view which emerged in the foyer of the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre after watching this seminal Australian play, 31 years after it opened at the much cosier Griffin Theatre.
Director Matthew Lutton had the large stage to play with and steered the production more towards its Shakespearean allusions.
Written and performed by Camilla Blunden. The Butterfly Club, Melbourne. February 22 – 26, 2017
All this Living is a complex rich work that touches on the difficult subject of aging. It is particularly relevant to the older woman. Full marks to Camilla Blunden for engaging with focus groups of older women to bring their experience and voices out into the light through this very personal medium of a one-woman performance. All this Living is a fabulous vehicle to open up the subject area and broaden awareness with divergent audiences. It is nothing if not worthy.
Patch of Blue & Greenwich Theatre. Adelaide Fringe. 16th Feb – 19th March, 2017
What I love most about the Adelaide Fringe is its diversity. Not all shows need elaborate sets and costumes; sometimes all that is needed are characters you care about and a story that will leave you speechless.
With We Live by the Sea, striking images projected on a white sail at the back of the stage are enough to transport an audience to the ocean. Theatre that provokes thought and raw emotion is when you know you are witnessing something very special.
Presented by Bontom. Adelaide Fringe. Ladies Powder Room Piccadilly Cinemas. 21st Feb – 5th March, 2017.
Piccadilly Cinemas is one of the great Art Deco buildings in Adelaide, with a big foyer, a winding staircase and a spacious Ladies powder room. This makes it the perfect setting for this site specific Opera. Set in a public bathroom, it explores the interactions and relationships of women in a traditionally safe space.
If you are looking for a show to awaken all the senses, then look no further than Blanc de Blanc. It’s a titillating romp with a French flavour that will leave you begging for more.
Beautiful bodies draped in sequins, lace and corsets set the stage alight, creating an erotic vibe. French arias, mixed with techno beats, pump from the speakers. You have no choice but to sit back and enjoy the ride.
By Annie Barker. Melbourne Theatre Company. Art Centre Melbourne - Fairfax Studio. 10 February – 25 March 2017
The Fairfax Studio opens out to embrace the audience and bring them into the intimate workings of four complex individuals. It is a great venue for this fascinating, intriguing and enigmatic work.
The domestic setting by designer Elizabeth Gadsby, of an all-purpose living room for guests, is busy with clashing yet strangely simpatico décor. Like a fifth idiosyncratic character, the set is acutely integral to the unfolding of the story. At times it is also used to add dashes of magic realism.
