Reviews

Miss Julie (After Strindberg)

Written by James Watson, based on a play by August Strindberg. Presented by Famous Last Words. Goodwood Theatre & Studios, Goodwood, SA. 18 – 29 April 2023

When we step out of the Autumnal chill of Goodwood Road into the Institute, we’re shown into the theatre – but instead of finding our seats in the auditorium, we’re led behind the stage curtain, and onto the stage itself. A lush white carpet that silently screams wealth separates the audience into two halves – it’s a traverse stage, so we’re staring across a sparsely decorated room to our fellow audience.

Heart of Darkness

Written & performed by Anthony Locascio. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Belgian Beer Café, Southbank. 12 – 22 April 2023

Anthony Locascio is an amiable, engaging guy.  The Companion remarked that with his mobile face and likeability he could be an ideal cinema or television actor. 

Meanwhile, his forte is stand-up and telling stories.  In this show, he says, he’ll tell us ‘the worst things he’s ever done.’  Why?  Because he also wants to prove to us that someone who has done bad things - as he has - can still be redeemed and find true and enduring love - as he has with Zoë, the love of his life. 

When the Rain Stops Falling

By Andrew Bovell. Theatre Arts at Curtin. Directed by Helen Trenos. Hayman Theatre, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. April 18-22, 2023

When the Rain Stops Falling has been one of the more popular play choices of recent years, and this production by Theatre Arts at Curtin and the Hayman Theatre is a strong incarnation of this well-written, but complex text. A play that spans four generations and includes older characters is a challenge for a cast in their late teens and twenties, but this young cast do a marvellous job.

13

Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Book by Dan Eilish and Robert Horn. The Colourblind Theatre Company. Directed by Andre and Dinali David. Carey Baptist College Auditorium, Harrisdale WA. April 13-15, 2023

Brand new theatre company The Colourblind Theatre Company has exploded onto the Perth theatre scene with a vibrant, colourful, and enthusiastic production of the musical 13. An excellent first production, 13 features a large cast of young performers, and showcases some up-and-coming talent.

Don’t Call Me a Papadam

Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Vault Theatre – Speakeasy HQ, 522 Flinders Street, Melbourne and The Rubber Chicken, 256 Moray Street, South Melbourne. 29 March – 22 April, 2023

An Inappropriately Indian-Australian delight   

Donald Runnicles Conducts Brahms 2

Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. 14 April 2023

With his foot rarely off the accelerator, principal guest conductor Donald Runnicles drives the Sydney Symphony Orchestra through a roller coaster of emotional Romantic spins, with Brahms’ Second Symphony, Schumann’s only piano concerto and a satisfying homage to  Brahms from contemporary composer Detlev Glanert.

All three composers employ the full orchestral array of instruments to articulate this charged and passionate sweep through boisterous and dreamy, quiet pastures and alps, beauty and power, serenity and conflict, loyalty and freedom.   

Private Lives

By Noël Coward. Directed by Barry Park. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. April 14-29, 2023

Old Mill Theatre’s Private Lives is proving so popular with audiences that extra performances were added to the season even before opening night. The excitement is very much justified with a slick, well-acted and beautifully produced rendition of this classic British comedy.

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project

Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The Malthouse – Beckett Theatre. April 11 – 23, 2023

If punk was not a reputably recognised rock and roll sub-genre, and Otto and Astrid were not already declared ‘Die Rotten Punkte’ (The Red Dots), l would label them as ‘Les Enfant Terribles. They are here for the Melbourne Comedy Festival with their fabulous wacky new rock show.

Getting Out in Front of It

Written & performed by Nikki Britton. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Comedy Republic, Bourke Street or Melbourne Town Hall, Cloak Room. 14 – 23 April 2023

Nikki Britton jumps onto the stage with a few high kicks.  She’s all exuberant, high energy, a noisy, in-your-face middle-aged woman.  Perfectly happy with no kids.  She’s been held down and bottled up.  Now she bursts free, just so delighted to be back on stage, back in front of an audience after a two-year absence from Melbourne’s Comedy Festival. 

Catch 22

Choreographed by Amelia Sagrabb. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. April 11 – 29, 2023.

Catch 22 is a new contemporary dance piece that explores climate change. Drawing on a variety of influences, including the art of M.C. Escher, the catch 22 of the title explores the artists’ dilemma about climate change – “art can’t exist if the earth dies, but perhaps there’s no point in the earth surviving if we can’t create art”.

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