Reviews

Tinserella - Putting The G’day in Cabaret

Written and performed by Joana Simmons. Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place. 29 September – 4 October.

The sensational performer Joana Simmons proves there can never be too much g’day in cabaret. Simmons reinvigorates this traditional art form with a wonderfully playful and provocative celebration of Australiana. The energy and physicality of the show will astound you and sweep you away. The audience participation is expertly timed and engaging without being confronting. Her take on some staunch Aussie stereotypes will have you in stitches, and she makes expressions such as ‘grouse mate’ seem like music to your ears.

Gypsy

Music by Jule Styne. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Arthur Laurents… Directed by Celeste Underhill. Stirling Theatre, Innaloo, WA. Sep 11-26, 2015

Stirling Players' Gypsy played to full houses throughout its three week run, and deserved its warm reception.

Celeste Underhill did a superb job directing her first community theatre musical, and was ably supported by musical director Krispin Maesalu-heading a solid 13 piece orchestra and choreographer Amber Southall, whose work throughout was impressive.

The Candy Topps - Femme Fatale

A Redroom Theatre Company production. The Butterfly Club, Melbourne CBD. 29 September – 4 October 2015

The Candy Topps are back at the Butterfly Club.  Kitty (Emma Clair Ford), Fifi (Jennifer Robinson) and Stella (Elenor Adams) are a self-aware retro trio (think the Andrews Sisters with spice and doubles entendres).  In matching red floral dresses that cling to their curves – another retro touch nowadays – and fascinators, they bump and grind and tease the audience.

Fox

By Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks. Directed by Michael Barlow. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Fremantle WA. Sep 26- Oct 10

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre's Spring School Holiday production is a lovely new show, adapted from the book Fox, by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks.

This sweet story of friendship and trust is gently told, predominantly through Contemporary dance and puppetry, with minimal dialogue.

Songs for the Fallen

By Sheridan Harbridge. Directed by Shane Anthony. Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne Sept 29th-Oct 3rd, 2015 (Two shows Thursday and Saturday)

Look down on the stage – is it a Musical, is it a Cabaret, is it a Burlesque? Well, it’s Superwoman in the form of Sheridan Harbridge, so arguably it’s all three. But why limit your enjoyment by putting a label on it at all? It’s a delicious feast of bawdy irreverence, political incorrectness, Vaudeville, filthy language, pop songs, audience interaction and deep and poignant moments wrapped up in a Birthday Party. It’s as funny as a Trevor Ashley show but with more depth (sorry Trev).

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium

Writer/Director: Scott Wright. Carriageworks. September 28 – October 4, 2015.

From their Carriageworks workshop Erth have, literally, constructed yet another child- friendly, interactive, educational, theatrical experience. A prequel to Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, it dives into deep prehistoric waters where “Marine biologist” Catherine and goofy “MC” Drew introduce the audience to the earliest of earth’s marine creatures, interspersing scientific facts with incredible replicas that ‘swim’ gracefully out of the dark ocean over the heads of the entranced audience.

Of Thee I Sing

Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind. Squabbalogic and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. September 26 & 27, 2015

Boutique musical theatre company Squabbalogic and Sydney Philharmonia unlocked a Gershwin treasure chest for just two performances at the Opera House, and the city’s music theatre tragics will be forever grateful.

Mwathirika

Papermoon Puppet Theatre. Oz/Asia Festival (SA). Rehearsal Room. 25 & 26 September, 2015,

The anti-communist slaughter of Indonesian people in 1965-66 is the backdrop to this devastatingly poignant tale. Through the use of puppetry this horrific time is given a voice of innocence. Imaginations explore identity and society and the result is hauntingly brilliant.

The Secret Life of Suitcases

By Lewis Hetherington and Ailie Cohen. Monkey Baa Theatre Company. Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre. September 28 to October 2, 2015

Monkey Baa consistently brings fun and fantasy to the school holidays – and this production has come all the way from the Edinburgh Festival via London and Chicago. Puppeteers Ailie and Sam have literally flown their set of lights and multiple suitcases through the sky and across the sea just like their puppet hero Larry is in this quirky and beautifully contrived performance about taking a little time to dream …

The Gondoliers

By Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Sydney. Smith Auditorium Lyric Theatre, Shore School, North Sydney. September 25 – October 3, 2015.

Joyously setting the mood under Rod Mounjed’s baton, a full pit orchestra delights the audience with as good a rendition of Sullivan’s overture to The Gondoliers as  I’ve ever heard, before the curtain rises on a gorgeous Venetian backdrop complete with the city’s trademark canals and the Bridge of Sighs.

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