Reviews

Behind the Wheel

Written and directed by Travis Koch. Fringe World. Hayman Theatre 2, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Feb 6-14, 2021

Behind the Wheel is a sensitive play that focuses on a young man as his wife is suddenly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An interesting look at the difficulty of relationships and the impact of illness and disability, it is well written and directed with some strong performances.

Troy Story

Written and directed by Thomas Dimmick. Fringe World / Black Martini Productions. Rubix Bar, Murray St, Perth. Feb 10-13, 2021

Troy Story is Homer’s Iliad told in a one hour romp. Funny, irreverent and slightly mad, this is a “best bits” show that finds the joy in this epic poem and relates the tale in an easy-to-watch hour of fantastic story telling.

Naked & Screaming

By Mark Rogers. La Boite, Brisbane. 6 to 27 February 2021

La Boite’s first production for 2021 is a world premiere of a new Australian work by Mark Rogers. Inspired by his own psychologically and physically draining journey with his partner as their lives changed after the birth of their first child, Naked & Screaming chronicles a year in the life of Emily and Simon – a vaguely hipster-ish couple who have added a new baby to their lifestyle mix. He’s in advertising and she’s in publishing and baby Dylan seems to enter their lives without much forethought.

The Butler Did It

By Walter and Peter Marks. Tugun Theatre Co., Gold Coast. Directed by Rihanna Hartley Smith. 17th to 27th February 2021.

Tugun Theatre Co is off to a great start with their production of The Butler Did It.

This six hander has the audience on the edge of their seats with a show that is overflowing with laughs and full of well-executed slapstick.

Drummer Queens

Neil Gooding Productions and Repercussions Productions. The Lyric Theatre, The Star, Sydney. February 9-14, 2021

There’s a smidgen of other stuff in Drummer Queens, which started a year-long Australian tour at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, but it’s basically eight women bashing away on a variety of surfaces, from two full drum kits to one big bass jungle drum to the merest tinkling triangle. But judging by their reception, the cast will be Queens of all they survey.

Single Ladies

By Michelle Lee. Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, East St Kilda. 6 February – 14 March 2021

A day in the life of three very different ‘single’ women, each with their own problems, who together search for a pug called Puckle. 

The play was developed through Red Stitch’s INK program and was meant to premiere early last year.  Finally, it’s here, and the opening night audience applauded the mere fact that there we were, about to see a live performance again.

Adore Me

By Dylan Lee and Courtney Lee. Fringe World. Directed by Dylan Lee. Home Economics, Girls School, East Perth WA. Feb 6-14, 2021

Adore Me is a drama set in Perth, in those hazy days between Christmas and New Year. Presented by the Performing Arts Alumni Society for Fringe World, this is a well written, well performed production about people in their mid-twenties who are not the people they thought they’d be at 18, and how the past isn’t always what you thought it was.

Jofus and the Whale

Devised by Lily Fish, Ell Sachs & Kimberly Twiner. Performed by Lily Fish. La Mama Courthouse. 9 – 21 February 2021

Lily Fish is a mime, a clown, a bit of a contortionist, a bit of a dancer and a creator of objects, spaces, and beings both animal and human using only her hands, mobile face and India rubber body.  There are also squawks, barks and a weird strangled but ingratiating voice that provides a break-the-fourth-wall running commentary. 

Play in a Day

By Jake Dennis, Fiona Blakely and Naomi Latky. Fringe World. Directed by Cassidy Bodenham, Jake Dennis and Kristen Twynam-Perkins. The Actors’ Hub, Kensington St, East Perth. Feb 6, 2021

Play in a Day is a twenty-four hour short play festival where short plays are written, rehearsed and then presented over a single day. Presented by the Actors’ Hub as part of their Naughty Nights @ Nine, it was part of a a variety season playing after each 4x4x4 performance. The series includes another Play in a Day, Twenty-Four Hour Film Festival, the satire Lloyd of the Rings, interactive WhoDunnit Events and Improv-To-The-Death.

Compound

Written and directed by Amanda Crewes. The Actors’ Hub Studio, Kensington St, East Perth, WA. Jan 21 - Feb 14, 2021

Compound is a Post-Covid, Post-Apocalyptic drama set in a compound in central Australia. Presented by The Actors’ Hub as part of their 4x4x4 Season for Fringe World (four plays over four nights over four weeks - presented in repertory). 

Couples Gary and Maisey, and Jacob and Marisha are thrown into turmoil when Gary illegally rescues Juanita, a woman from outside the wall and hides her from authorities. Gradually it emerges that while Covid was a catalyst for the breakdown of social structures outside the wall, life inside the compound is not a utopia.

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