Reviews

Blue – The Songs of Joni Mitchell

Written by Queenie Van de Zandt, Max Lambert and Joni Mitchell. HOTA 9th November, 2019 and on tour.

The songs of Joni Mitchell are complex lyrically and complicated musically, so it was refreshing that this show’s production was kept simple. A stark stage with a simple round table containing candles, incense and a pot of tea, and a portrait of Joni’s lower face, half hidden by a huge hat, propped on an easel upstage, are all the dressing this 70 minute cabaret needs.

The Mikado

By Gilbert and Sullivan. State Opera South Australia. Festival Theatre, Adelaide. November 9 – 23, 2019

“Virtue is only triumphant in theatrical performances,” (so says the Mikado – Act 2). Perhaps he should have added, “Especially in the Stuart Maunder State Opera production of The Mikado”. It is a delight for the eyes and ears!

Set in a world of Asian/Western fusion with an abundance of ‘Hello Kitty’ and lollipop colours, this production is a shining example of how to update a G&S classic without removing the traditional elements, i.e. Gilbert’s words and Sullivan’s music.

The King and I

By Rodgers and Hammerstein. Gold Coast Little Theatre. November 9 – December 7, 2019

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless classic The King and I is portrayed most effortlessly on the Gold Coast Little Theatre stage. With beautiful costumes and cheeky children, it is a great way to round out GCLT’s playbill for 2019.

Lea Salonga In Concert

Michael Cassel Group. Camarata Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Gerard Salonga. Concert Hall, QPAC. 9 November 2019

Broadway’s favourite Asian leading-lady Lea Salonga gave a capacity audience at the Concert Hall exactly what they wanted, plenty of Broadway, plenty of movie, and a lot of pop. The Philippine performer who rose to stardom in 1989 as the original Kim in Miss Saigon has captivated audiences ever since, on Broadway in Flower Drum Song, Allegiance, and Once on This Island.

A Delicate Balance

By Edward Albee. Sydney Classic Theatre Company. Director: Victor Kalka. Chippen St Theatre, Sydney. 7 - 16 November 2019

The setting for this 1966 play by American great Edward Albee, 4 years after the iconic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, reads as follows: “The living room of a large and well-appointed suburban home”. Which is very difficult to achieve when you’ve only got two cents to rub together. Director/designer Victor Kalka has to make do with a row of boxed-in succulents and a well-stocked drinks trolley on his very wide stage. There’s no sign of a chair for anyone to sit on, or a small side-table, for the whole long evening. 

Apocalypse Meow: Crisis is Born

Created and performed by Meow Meow. Directed by Michael Kantor. Merlyn Theatre, The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, Vic. 7 November – 1 December, 2019.

Cabaret performer extraordinaire Meow Meow (Melissa Madden Gray) returns to home territory and graces the stage at the Malthouse with her extremely endearing wit and charm. Her subversive approach to the silly season is highly irreverent and somewhat sacrilegious, and this merely adds to the festive mood. 

Photograph 51

By Anna Ziegler. Melbourne Theatre Company. Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio. 1 November - 14 December 2019

Nadine Garner transforms herself into Rosalind Franklin, X-ray crystallographer and one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.  ‘Photograph 51’ is an X-ray diffraction image taken by Franklin’s assistant, Raymond Gosling, under her direction, in May 1952 and it provided the key, the evidence for how DNA ‘works’ - the secret of Life.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Adapted by Glyn Robbins from the novel by C. S. Lewis. Directed by Craig Griffen. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA. Nov 8-23, 2019

Koorliny Arts Centre’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe might easily be described as ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Spectacular’. This lavish, large scale production - featuring a large ensemble, puppet magic and strong visuals - is a sensory delight.

She is Vigilante

Created and Directed by Bridget Balodis and Krystalla Pearce. Theatre Works, St Kilda. November 7 – 16, 2019

She is Vigilante is a collection of five fiery short plays by new and emerging female writers, developed and performed by a community–based ensemble of predominately untrained female performers, directed by Bridget Balodis and Krystalla Pearce.

Robot Coupe by Maja Amanita is a satirical series of mock adverts for domestic appliances used by women in self-defense. A clever and witty collection of vignettes, it addresses the dumbing down of women who watch morning television and are susceptible to being seduced by ludicrous and meaningless gadgetry.

Play Things

Written and directed by Scott McArdle. The Blue Room Studio, Perth Cultural Centre. Nov 5 - 23, 2019

A strongly written new work, crafted by Scott McArdle, this edgy and moving coming of age story follows a pair of teenagers as they help each other deal with trauma.

Late one afternoon, young teens wander through the bush in an outer suburb. Lucy says, with some excitement, that there is a dying kangaroo bleeding badly from its guts. Arnold follows.

While it sounds rather disturbing, and deals with a slew of confronting issues, this beautifully told story is one of the best new works of the year, and a wonder to watch.

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