Reviews

Dogs of Europe

Adelaide Festival. Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre. Australian exclusive. March 2 – 6, 2023

Performed in Belarusian with English surtitles and based on the novel by Alhierd Bacharevič, banned in Belarus, Dogs of Europe is particularly befitting on more than one level. Whilst dystopian works are very much the ‘flavour’ of the moment, the chilling realisation that Dogs of Europe underlines is that much of what is portrayed is not of the future, but is already here.

Where To From Here?

By Tracy Crisp, Adelaide Fringe. Studio 166, Goodwood Theatres. 2-12 March 2023

‘Excuse me,’ is the common introduction to Tracy Crisps’s encounters through this wonderful monologue of Gen Xs looking back on their world. On the surface, her story is about a train trip from here to somewhere, and about the people she meets – but goes much deeper: it’s not just the baggage she’s shoving into a locker, it’s that which remains in her head and heart.

Made In China 2.0

By Wang Chong. Directed by Wang Chong and Emma Valente. Malthouse Theatre. 28 February - 19 March 2023.

This is a deeply personal and touching performance even though it is structured like a lecture and employs some basic digital technology. Nonetheless, the show is fully and profoundly immersed in theatrical traditions, and Wang Chong’s performance is as brave as it is daring in its play with form. The content is an extremely poignant expression of an implacable desire to speak freely. This gives the show quite an edge and makes it all the more remarkable. 

Nickyboy & Queen Fee: Fiona O’Loughlin

Top of the Ark (Arkaba Hotel). Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023. Thurs 2nd March, 2023

With two comics hitting the stage, there was bound to be chaos and just a few belly laughs. Honest and raw humour, with the odd expletives and a karaoke mix, the rowdy audience were showered with two hours of unique storytelling. This comedy duo goes way back and clearly have an affection for each-other. This performance was all about fun and yarns.

The Piano Guys

Canberra Theatre Centre, 2 March 2022 and touring (Syd, Adl, Pth, Mel).


In case you don’t already know them, it’s not difficult to find beautifully shot footage of The Piano Guys, pianist Jon Schmidt and cellist Steven Sharp Nelson, playing a good variety of stirring music.  If you do know them, you might wonder how their creative video approach to music would translate to the stage.  The experience was, in a word, amazing.

Dracula, The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Sporadic Productions. Adelaide Fringe. Star Theatre Two at Star Theatres, Hilton, Adelaide. March 1 – 4, 2023

“I take no credit for the darkness that lives in the hearts of men!” - Dracula’s admonition to Captain Atkins in Sporadic Productions, Dracula, the Last Voyage of the Demeter.

The Demeter was a Russian sailing vessel responsible for bringing the vampire Count Dracula from his homeland in Wallachia to the seaside town of Whitby in England. The boat maintained a skeleton crew which consisted of just the captain, two officers and five crewmen.

Macbeth

By William Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare. Sydney Opera House, 1 March - 2 April, Canberra Theatre Centre, 14 – 22 April and Arts Centre Melbourne, 27 April – 14 May 2023.

Bell Shakespeare’s new Macbeth borrows a familiar BSC footprint.  Towering green curtains outline what looks like a hotel foyer, circa World War I, with high back chairs, standard lamps and a tartan carpet.  We know this format from other productions, the ten actors rarely leaving the stage, but in slow motion sitting or walking around a lot. 

The Whitney Houston Story

Adelaide Fringe Festival / Night Owl Shows. World Premiere. The Regal Theatre. Wed 1 Mar: 7:30pm

This concert was presented by Night Owl Shows, who create and present a range of tribute shows to music greats including Abba, Amy Winehouse, Carole King, Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond and the subject of this concert, the late great Whitney Houston. They have had sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Perth Fringe, Brighton Fringe, Adelaide Fringe and Bear Valley Festival in in California.

Watson: The Final Problem

By Tim Marriott & Bert Coules, based on the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Adelaide Fringe. Ayers House. 17 February – 18 March, 2023

The opulence of the Ballroom at Ayers House is the perfect place to spend an hour with Watson, the self-appointed biographer of Sherlock Holmes. Following the death of both Holmes and his wife Mary, Dr John Watson (Tim Marriott) is reminiscing about his life with the great detective, and the many adventures he was taken on through his association at Baker Street.

See You

By Hung Dance (Taiwan) presented by Lewis Major Projects for Adelaide Fringe Festival. Main Theatre at Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide. 22 Feb — 5 Mar, 2023

This is one of the finest, most beautifully crafted contemporary dance works I have seen in some time, and realised by very fine performers.  I know this is quite the statement, but I stand by it.  Dance choreography does not need to possess a fixed narrative or even restrict itself to a single storyline.  Moments of connection (both dancer to dancer, and dancer/s to audience) plus creative physical and theatrical imagery can inspire thoughtful or emotional responses in an audience that leave a lasting impression of greatness.  Of course, supremely high quality technique

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