By Robert Harling. Directed by Lea McCall. The Link Theatre, Northam, WA. March 29 - Apr 7, 2019
Chinquapin, the setting of Steel Magnolias, is a fictional country town, based on Natchitoches, Louisiana, a town of 18 thousand people, known for its lovely river, hospitality and relaxed lifestyle. Northam, WA is only a third the size, but could be described in a very similar way, and is an excellent setting for this well-known Robert Harling play.
By Donald McDonald. Theatre on Chester, Epping. March 29 – April 20, 2019
Joy Sweeney calls on her memories of the movie The Long, Long Trailer and an early production of Caravan (it was first produced by The Ensemble Theatre in 1983) to explain her fascination with caravans – even though she has never been on a caravan holiday! But obviously, the play struck a chord.
By Michael Gow. New Theatre, Newtown, NSW. March 19 – April 13, 2019.
Michael Gow tells his stories via believable characters and tight dialogue, especially when the messages are just a little bit angry, just a little bit critical, just a little bit emotional. Through his young protagonist, Will Drummond, Gow uses the theatre to raise issues that affect us all – inequality, exploitation, illness, loss. And in true political theatre style, he uses real situations and vulnerable characters who reach past the stage to tell us that “the war might be endless, and it’s probably already lost but that’s not a reason to give up”.
Songs recorded by Dusty Springfield, book by John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow. Northern Light Theatre Company (SA). Shedley Theatre, Elizabeth. March 29 – April 13, 2019
Dusty Springfield is credited with saying, ‘It's marvellous to be popular, but foolish to think it will last.’ Little did she realise that her fame would last and she would become a pop icon whose music is still popular today.
Northern Light Theatre Company took a gamble presentingDusty. The show relies on a singer/actress who can belt out 24 of the pop legend’s hits plus carry out numerous wig and costume changes while still giving us a realistic character, from Dusty’s early beginnings through to fame, demise and resurgence.
Written by Lewis Treston. Directed by David Hill. Presented by Rocket Boy Ensemble. Sue Benner Theatre. 20 – 30 March, 2019
Pretend to be normal and everything will get better. There would be few of us in the arts sector incapable of relating to that feeling. While Reagan Kelly is a fresh, Brisbane-based, laugh-a-minute comedy, that’s one of the deeper sentiments lying beneath the ample chuckles. Lewis Treston’s darkly clever script is packed with witty one-liners, ‘so funny because it’s true’ moments and surprises, the audience can barely catch their breath at times.
By George Orwell, adapted for the stage by Nelson Bond. Life on Hold. Directed by Sarah Christiner. The Victoria Park Hotel, WA. March 27 - Apr 12, 2019
Life On Hold’s production of Animal Farm is more serious than one normally expects for pub theatre. This production, staged upstairs at the Victoria Park Hotel, is a well-polished, thoughtful Staged Reading or Reader’s Theatre version of George Orwell’s political allegory.
By Jacqueline Mifsud. Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Globe Alley. March 28 – April 7, 2019
Perfect is the new show by the up and coming talented and eccentric comedienne Jacqueline Mifsud. A defiant and self-righteous zany personality, she is determined to make her audience laugh at her and with her while she bursts open her cathartic bubble of life as a single thirty-three year old woman.
Adapted by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee. Canberra Repertory, directed by Anne Somes. Theatre 3, Acton, Canberra, 28 March – 13 April 2019.
A young, hardworking, negro family man has been accused of raping a 19-year-old white woman, and the trial judge has specially asked Atticus Finch, a highly principled, experienced, and capable lawyer, to defend the accused. Through the trial and the weeks leading up to it, Atticus's young daughter, (nicknamed) Scout, comes to examine her own ideas and their implications with a degree of honesty and self-awareness that we hope will be infectious.
Ballet by Liam Scarlett. Music: Adapted from the works of Camille Saint-Saens. Music Arrangement: Martin Yates. Queensland Ballet. Music Performed by Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Nigel Gaynor. Playhouse, QPAC. 22 March – 6 April 2019
Queensland Ballet started their 2019 season with Liam Scarlett’s marvellously erotic Dangerous Liaisons. Opening with a funeral and the widow being sexually comforted by her lover on the coffin, and featuring an explicit orgy of sexual games, this world premiere is probably the hottest and raunchiest show we’ll see in Brisbane this year.
By Chas Dean. Melbourne Comedy Festival. Caz Reitop’s Dirty Secrets, Collingwood. March 27 – April 10, 2019
After years in the comedy scene as tech support, backup singer and general factotum, journeyman comedian Chas Dean has stepped up to the microphone for his first MICF show I’m With Stupid (A one man show).
Dean has a diffident, affable style, and is clearly comfortable on the tiny downstairs stage at Caz Reitop’s Dirty Secrets.
