Reviews

Is Anybody Out There?

Written and directed by Amanda Crewes. Fringe World. The Actors Hub, Kensington St, East Perth, WA Jan 24-Feb 13, 2021

Is Anybody Out There? is part of one of The Actors’ Hub’s Fringe World Seasons. 4x4x4 features four shows over four nights a week, over four weeks of the festival, with the shows performed in repertory. What I hadn’t realised in my earlier review of a show in this season is that the shows all feature the same five performers. Kudos to this strong young ensemble, as well as director/writer/teacher/mentor Amanda Crewes.

We Will Rock You

By Ben Elton and Queen. Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, Packemin Productions. Director Wayne Scott Kermond. 12-27 February, 2021

The original production of We Will Rock You opened in London almost nineteen years ago. Despite being panned by the critics, it ran for over three years. The critics obviously failed to take into consideration the wide fan base of Freddie Mercury and Queen. Failed to understand that the eclectic, international appeal of their music would never “bite the dust”! That it would defy “the laws of nature and come out alive” for generation after generation.

The Pass

By John Donnelly. Fixed Foot Productions. Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. Feb 11 – Mar 6, 2021

The Pass offers more than the now familiar tale of the elite gay footballer too terrified to come out.

Over 12 years, through three hotel rooms, we follow young Jason from the verge of international selection, later a hero manipulating others to quell gay rumours and finally, arrogant and narcissistic, a loveless puppet of his wealth and celebrity. 

The Golden Aged Girls

By Amy Fortnum and Jess Clancy. Fringe World Festival. Studio, Subiaco Arts Centre, Perth. February 9 – 13, 2021

Those who saw the first instalment of Golden Girls at Fringe in 2019 and 2020 were surely not going to miss this production, performed with the same cast. Golden Girls was first seen in 2019, winning the Fringe Festival Cabaret award and then played to full houses in 2020. Writer performers Amy Fortnum and Jess Clancy, both WAAPA graduates, workshopped this follow-up production in Sydney before presenting it at Fringe 2021. It was a delight to watch.

Grand Gesture

Devised & Directed by The People - Katrina Cornwell & Morgan Rose, with performer-devisors Joel Beasley, Eamon Dunphy, Matilda Gibbs, Joe Kenny, Michelle McCowage, Finn McGrath, Ruby Rawlings & Katie Rowe. La Mama Courthouse, Carlton. 12 – 21 February 2021.

If you are a die-hard fan of rom-com movies or grow misty-eyed at love story or ‘romance’ movies in general, this pacey, funny show at La Mama may bewilder, annoy or set teeth on edge.  Alternatively, this melange of verbatim extracts from mainstream love story scripts, narrated and performed so as to point up their contradictions, absurdities and sexism just might lead you to see some favourite movies in a new light.  Skilfully assembled to create meaningful juxtapositions, and segueing smoothly from one scene to the next, Grand Gesture undermines, if not dem

Behind the Wheel

Written and directed by Travis Koch. Fringe World. Hayman Theatre 2, Curtin University, Bentley, WA. Feb 6-14, 2021

Behind the Wheel is a sensitive play that focuses on a young man as his wife is suddenly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An interesting look at the difficulty of relationships and the impact of illness and disability, it is well written and directed with some strong performances.

Troy Story

Written and directed by Thomas Dimmick. Fringe World / Black Martini Productions. Rubix Bar, Murray St, Perth. Feb 10-13, 2021

Troy Story is Homer’s Iliad told in a one hour romp. Funny, irreverent and slightly mad, this is a “best bits” show that finds the joy in this epic poem and relates the tale in an easy-to-watch hour of fantastic story telling.

Naked & Screaming

By Mark Rogers. La Boite, Brisbane. 6 to 27 February 2021

La Boite’s first production for 2021 is a world premiere of a new Australian work by Mark Rogers. Inspired by his own psychologically and physically draining journey with his partner as their lives changed after the birth of their first child, Naked & Screaming chronicles a year in the life of Emily and Simon – a vaguely hipster-ish couple who have added a new baby to their lifestyle mix. He’s in advertising and she’s in publishing and baby Dylan seems to enter their lives without much forethought.

The Butler Did It

By Walter and Peter Marks. Tugun Theatre Co., Gold Coast. Directed by Rihanna Hartley Smith. 17th to 27th February 2021.

Tugun Theatre Co is off to a great start with their production of The Butler Did It.

This six hander has the audience on the edge of their seats with a show that is overflowing with laughs and full of well-executed slapstick.

Drummer Queens

Neil Gooding Productions and Repercussions Productions. The Lyric Theatre, The Star, Sydney. February 9-14, 2021

There’s a smidgen of other stuff in Drummer Queens, which started a year-long Australian tour at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, but it’s basically eight women bashing away on a variety of surfaces, from two full drum kits to one big bass jungle drum to the merest tinkling triangle. But judging by their reception, the cast will be Queens of all they survey.

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