Reviews

Death and the Maiden

By Ariel Dorfman. Ad Astra, Brisbane. Directed by Jacqueline Kerr. 17 November to 4 December 2021

Instead of writing a political thriller about a dictatorship, South American playwright Ariel Dorfman produced Death and the Maiden –  a story about a husband and wife whose damaged relationship illustrates the results of endemic corruption and violence. As with some of Harold Pinter's political plays – I'm thinking of One for the Road – the exact location is never specifically stated, but events hint that this is Chile under the Pinochet regime of the 1970s and 80s.

Song to Symphony

Conductor Dane Lam. Soloist Hyung Suk Bae (cello). Presented by Queensland Symphony Orchestra. QPAC Concert Hall. 28 November, 2021

Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s long-running Music on Sundays series is a wonderful way for anyone to enjoy classical music. Whether you’re a dedicated orchestra buff or a novice, you’ll appreciate the warm and relaxed atmosphere, the fun and humour. Each show in the series includes orchestral works which are centred around a common theme. The final theme for 2021 is Song to Symphony - Inspirational Folk Melodies.

Can of Worms

By Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phil Scott. The Wharf Revue 2021. York Theatre Seymour Centre. 23 Nov – 23 Dec 2021

Here once more without the wharf we had before!

No longer at the Wharf, but at the York Theatre at the Seymour Centre, The Wharf Revue team swing into the opening number of their new show. Will a change of venue matter! It’s highly unlikely. Their faithful audiences have been following them around the state for twenty years for a plethora of reasons. Their biting, acerbic satire for a start! Their intellect and acuity! Their wide experience across the arts: writing, acting, composing, performing.

A Poet’s Love

Presented by Opera Queensland in partnership with Brisbane Music Festival. Opera Queensland Studio. 27 November, 2021

Soprano Sarah Crane, baritone Shaun Brown, and pianist Alex Raineri delighted the full house at Opera Queensland Studio with A Poet’s Love. This passionate performance marked the final Opera Queensland (OQ) recital for 2021. It was a charming way to cap off a successful year for both OQ and their production partners – Brisbane Music Festival, for which Raineri is also artistic director.

Summer of the 17th Doll.

By Ray Lawler. Stirling Players. Directed by Tim Riessen. Stirling Theatre, Innaloo, WA. Nov 26 - Dec 11, 2021

To usher in the start of Summer, Stirling Players presents Ray Lawler’s Australian classic, Summer of the 17th Doll.

A famous story of cane cutters staying in Melbourne for the lay-off, a well decorated set, constructed by Pauline Gibb, with decor by Janet and Tom Brandwood and costumes by Merri Ford and cast, transport us back to around 1955. The titular dolls have been very prettily created by Fran Gordon. The show features an effective lighting design from John Woolrych.

Moulin Rouge The Musical.

Book by John Logan. Presented by Carmen Pavlovic, Gerry & Val Ryan and Global Creatures. Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne. 27 November 2021 - 29 April 2022.

Truth, beauty, freedom and love are the mantras of the characters in the original film and each of these elements is echoed in the stage version. The show is incredibly truthful in its adaptation of the spirit of film by replicating and enhancing its colour and vibrancy. The transition to the stage is truly remarkable and demonstrates an enormous commitment to the beauty that runs through the story and its setting. The staging is nothing short of breathtaking.

Beauty and the Beast

By Ben Crocker. Tea Tree Players Theatre. Surrey Downs, SA. Nov 26 – Dec 11, 2021

As Michael Bublé says, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and no Christmas is complete without a pantomime. Tea Tree Players have been carrying on this tradition for many years, fostering young talent and showcasing a lot of grown-ups as well!

Sprout

By Jessica Bellamy. 7th Floor Theatre. The Williams Hall, Princes Hill, Vic. Nov 17 – 27, 2021

Lockdown was hard and the future was grim for new theatre company 7th Floor Theatre, founded in 2019, yet they continued their work with play reads via Zoom, and along the way they bumped into the dystopian futuristic award-winning play Sprout, written by Jessica Bellamy in 2011.

Archimedes War

By Melissa Reeves and directed by Susie Dee. Darebin Arts Speakeasy. Northcote Town Hall. 23 November – 2 December 2021

Arki (Harry Musgrove) is 15, addicted to single shooter video games, and in trouble.

The Boomkak Panto

By Virginia Gay. Directed by Richard Carroll and Virginia Gay. Belvoir. Nov 20 - Dec 23, 2021

Australia doesn’t really get pantomime. The Christmas tradition which the poms go berserk over, gets lost in the translation when summer is too hot and sticky to lure parents to make their children spend time indoors, when they could be by the pool.

The idea behind this production was a good one.  A  little country town,  which has a tomato sauce factory,   (in homage to the Belvoir Theatre’s own origins)  has to put on a panto to save itself from a big bad developer.

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