Reviews

Henry V (Man And Monarch)

Adelaide Fringe. Holden Street Theatre. February 17 – March 5, 2017

The publicity for this production had been very favourable. I was, however, extremely disappointed. The premise and the intention behind the production may be admirable, but the actual execution was not.

Always … Patsy Cline

By Ted Swindley. Directed by Denny Lawrence. Produced by Christine Harris and HIT Productions. Bicentennial Hall, next door to The Q, Queanbeyan, NSW. February 15 – 18, 2017

This production evokes a time that’s gone but not forgotten. Louise Seger (played with vivacity by Mandi Lodge) tells of how she became a fan of Patsy Cline, first by hearing her songs on the radio and calling the DJ to ask for the them to be played again, and then how she met Patsy Cline at a concert and how their friendship developed. Her descriptions almost make you see the workmates and friends she’s with, and the house she lives in and of course, her much-loved automobile.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

Adelaide Fringe 2017. Strathmore Hotel-Balcony Restaurant. February 17-March 14, 2017

There’s nothing at all faulty about Faulty Towers the Dining Experience; it’s a slick two hours of fun and fab food.

Not in any way linked to the TV show Fawlty Towers except, of course, by default through the characterisation of the three actors involved in this dinner show, Faulty Towers the Dining Experience is a product of the Queensland arm of Interactive Theatre International.

The Trouble With Harry

By Lachlan Philpot. Siren Theatre Company. Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. Feb 16 – Mar 3, 2017

Lachlan Philpot continues to make theatre that cuts edges in both style and subject matter. In this play, based on the story of Harry Crawford (born Eugenia Falleni, also known as Eugene Falleni and Jean Ford) a female-to-male transgender man convicted in 1920 of the murder of his first wife, Annie Birkett, Philpott imagines the complexities of sustaining such a secret and the constant threat of what exposure might bring.

Single Asian Female

By Michelle Law. Director: Claire Christian. La Boite Theatre, Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove. February 11 - March 4, 2017

Newby Queensland playwright Michelle Law has given us a comedy crackling with authentic Asian flavours as part of the BrisAsia Festival.

Single Asian Femalefollows restaurant-owner Pearl and her two daughters Mei and Zoe as they approach a crossroad in their lives.

The play is only five minutes old when Pauline Hanson’s name is volleyed off the dark walls of La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre, but Law’s play focuses less on politicking and more on social attitudes around race and gender equality.

Amy Housewine - Back to Crack

Fringe World. Ace’s Cabaret - Downstairs at the Maj, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth. Feb 16-18, 2017

With one of the roughest lead ups to reaching the stage at Fringe World, Amy Housewine - Back to Crack suffered a succession of cancelled venues and date changes before finding a home Downstairs at the Maj, where performer Lisa Adam played to sell-out crowds. To add additional stress, Friday evening’s show was delayed by a fire evacuation. Fortunately Amy took it in her stride,  “Who knew that a bong would set off the alarms?'

Neel Kolhatkar

Adelaide Fringe 2017. Arkaba Hotel. 18th and 19th February, 2017

At only 22, Sydney comedian Neel Kolhatkar has plenty of comic experience. He interacts with the audience with confidence and ease, with hilarious results. Poking fun at our differences without offending can be a fine line, but he does it with ease and likeability. Not afraid to laugh at his own Indian heritage and make comedy gold out of stereotypes, he has the audience in stitches within moments of stepping on the stage.

Radelaide!

Presented by Lucy Gransbury. Adelaide Fringe Festival. The Balcony Room, The Griffins Hotel, Adelaide. 17-24 Feb, 2017.

Being greeted with 'fortune-cookie-style' paper tidbits of hometown wisdom on our seats is just about the perfect way to begin a Cabaret act entitled Radelaide!

Lucy Gransbury is a tightly-wound, beautifully-bejewelled, rapid-fire delight - with quiz question cards that sparkle even brighter than her dazzling dress! At times a lament, but far more often a tribute, to this "heaps good" city of churches, Gransbury's fantastically funny show is accompanied by Josh Belperio on Keyboard (a Kurzweil? Very Kool!)

Inside the Walls

Salt and Poppet Theatre. Adelaide Fringe 2017. Tandanya Theatre. 18, 19th Feb, 3,4,5, 11th March, 2017

After completing a fellowship in children’s literature through the State Library of Victoria, theatre graduate and puppeteer Theresa O’Connor has brought her latest creative efforts to the Adelaide Fringe. A mixture of theatre, puppetry, visual effects and projections, Inside the Walls takes audiences on a spooky adventure certain to prick the imaginations of her predominantly young audience.

Australia Day

By Jonathan Biggins. Heidelberg Theatre Company. Directed by Joan Moriarty. Feb 17 – March 4 2017.

The script is just this side of caricature. Heidelberg Theatre has turned it into a charming exploration of small town relationships and concerns. Each of the characters were clearly developed and the balance between group scenes and the interspersed 2 or 3 handed scenes was cleanly handled. The changes between scenes were louder and longer. There was an effort to cover them with phone messages which provided some excellent laughs.

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