By Alan Bennet. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, National Theatre Live, presented by Sharmill Films. Cinema Nova, Lygon Street Carlton and cinemas nationally Limited season from 30 March, 2019.
Alan Bennett (The History Boys, The Lady in the Van, The Madness of George III) is renowned for his regular successful collaboration with stage director Nicholas Hytner. Bennett’s plays often draw on his idiosyncratic and very personal experience of the issues affecting contemporary British society. ALLELUJAH! especially operates in this vein as it draws on the widespread concern about the demise of the NHS that has dominated debates in British politics in recent years.
By Georges Bizet. State Opera SA. Victoria Square, Adelaide. March 24, 2019
For the first time the State Opera of South Australia has moved out of a theatre and into a central city venue, namely Victoria Square. Presumably this is based on Opera Australia’s successful ‘Opera on Sydney Harbour’.
The choice of Carmen for this first production was a wise one. Known by any opera fan, with hummable tunes (including a football team song) and a dramatic storyline, it has all the ingredients to be a sure-fire hit.
Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Briefs Factory. Playhouse Theatre, Southbank. 20 – 24 March, 2019.
Briefs Factory describe themselves as “manufacturers and distributors of evocative, irreverent, political punk performance.” Close Encounters lives up to this mantra in dazzling and spectacular fashion. This Australian based performance collective specialises in blending the conventions of cabaret burlesque, comic capery, breathtaking circus acts and male stripping. The combination is seamless and forcefully dynamic and, unsurprisingly, has become a world-wide sensation.
Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper. Book: Harvey Feirstein. Empire Theatres Production. Director: Alison Vallette. Musical Director: Shane Tooley. Choreography: George Canham. Empire Theatre, Toowoomba. 22-31 March 2019
After a three-million dollar refurbishment, Toowoomba’s theatrical jewel, the Empire Theatre, is looking more glitzy than ever, and what better show to reopen the venue than this glitzy ‘ode to acceptance’ Kinky Boots. The story of a failing Northumberland shoe factory which is reborn making sexy leather boots for drag queens, comes vibrantly alive in Alison Vallette’s production, the Queensland community theatre premiere.
Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour / Opera Australia. Director: Francesca Zambello. Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney Harbour. 22 March – 21 April 2019
The rain started a couple of minutes before the opening bars of stirring music. It grew worse as the Jets and the Sharks circled each other menacingly, even worse as Maria met and fancied Tony, and bucketed down when Anita sang of the glories and follies of ‘America’. Among the audience there was much wiping of dripping glasses and struggling to put on the available $5 macs, but the cast sang and danced with sure-footed ease, a tribute to their non-slip footwear. The weather was expected: it’s Sydney in late March.
Music: Alan Menken. Lyrics: Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater. Book: Doug Wright. Pelican Productions. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. March 22nd – 24th, 2019
Pelican Productions continue their high standard of theatre entertainment with their first musical for 2019, The Little Mermaid Jnr. Adapted for a younger cast, it is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
Jen Firth and Kylie Green founded Pelican Productions in 2004 and have done wonders in nurturing young talent. With such a large number of students they still manage to find a role for everyone.
By Julia Hales with Finn O’Branagáin and Clare Watson. Black Swan, Perth Festival, Dadaa co-production. Directed by Clare Watson. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth. March 20-31, 2019
Julia Hales is a dynamic, attractive, bright 38 year old actor, who lives on her own in a flat in Subiaco. She is single, but would prefer not to be, is a huge fan of Home and Away, has been acting for over twenty years, and has an extra 21st chromosome.
The Studio, Sydney Opera House. Mar 20 – Apr 7, 2019
A blast! A rage! A ball! Whatever idiomatic superlative you use, it probably isn’t enough to describe the vibe and energy of the nine cheeky, gifted English ‘lads’ who are The Choir of Man. Arunaway hit at the Edinburgh Festival in 2017, and fresh from the 2019 Adelaide Fringe festival, the boys have hit NSW running – and dancing and singing – in a rousing production that makes the spirit soar.
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. Bloom Productions. Directed by Jordan Vassallo. Musical Direction by Peter Hayward. Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood. Mar 21 – 23, 2019
This was a spectacular debut for a new theatre company, using the unusual surroundings of a concert hall to present this musical with imagination.
From the ceiling dropped the forest, from the balcony dropped Rapunzel’s hair and beautiful use of shadows effected a most satisfying giant.
Balancing the sound of the fine orchestra on stage with the cast took a little time to settle in but was soon resolved.
Book, Music & Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Important Musicals, John Frost Production. Director: Casey Nicholaw & Trey Parker. Music Director: David Young. Choreography: Casey Nicholaw. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. Opening Night 20 March 2019
After playing a year in Melbourne and a year in Sydney, The Book of Mormon is finally pushing Brisbane’s doorbell. One of the funniest musicals to come out of Broadway this century, the show is outrageous, blasphemous, rude, vulgar, and a heavenly slice of musical comedy that hilariously zips along for an exuberant two-hour ride.
