Reviews

A Child of Our Time

By Michael Tippett. Adelaide Festival 2021. Festival Theatre. Mar 14, 2021

Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time reminds us that even out of times of tragedy can come hope. This oratorio was Tippett's artistic and emotional reaction to the events that led to the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom of November 1938.

Debora Krizak - Ssh There’s A Lady On Stage

Adelaide Fringe 2021 (South Australian Premiere). The Queens. Mar 14-20, 2021

Proudly local, Elizabeth born, Debora Krizak is one of Australia's most critically acclaimed entertainers. Accompanied by a four-piece band, led by renowned music teacher and performer Darren Mapes, Krizak shares her musical favourites from shows such as A Chorus Line, where she professionally performed the role of Sheila Bryant, Cabaret and Sweet Charity. Krizak looks two million dollars; clad in a fitted blue and silver, side split evening gown. She struts and sashays, rhinestones catching the light, feeding the glamour factor.

An Ideal Husband

By Oscar Wilde. Villanova Players. Director: Matthew Hobbs. Ron Hurley Theatre, Seven Hills, Qld. 6-21 March 2021

Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy brings a multitude of laughs in Matthew Hobbs’ well-directed Villanova Players production. This oft revived, ever-topical play touches on themes that never go out of fashion - insider trading, honor, corruption and a money-mad society. Add in blackmail, affairs of the heart, and a good dose of Wildean wit and this Edwardian romp is as up-to-date as yesterday.

Steel Magnolias

By Robert Harling. Directed by Adam Salathiel. Laughing Horse Productions. City of Gosnells, Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie WA. Mar 12 - 20, 2021

In a year where it seems that we are getting many male centred productions, it is lovely to see a female led favourite pop up again. Laughing Horse Productions’ Steel Magnolias is a wonderful celebration of the strength of women and the importance and power of female friendships.

Cosi

By Louis Nowra. Stirling Players. Stirling Theatre (SA), March 12-27, 2021

Cosi is an Australian classic, taught as part of the Australian high school English curriculum for many years. Written by Louis Nowra, it premiered in 1992 at Belvoir St Theatre. Set in a mental institution in 1971 during the volatile period of the Vietnam War, it has the potential to be dated and perhaps enter into the realm of stereotype in portraying patients with mental illness. Megan Dansie’s direction has put this under a blacklight, both physically during scene changes, and metaphorically.

The Wind In The Willows

By Kenneth Grahame, adapted by David Gooderson. Presented by RAVA Productions. Armitage Theatre, Toowoomba. March 10 and 11, 2021

Following a successful regional tour of Charlotte’s Web, RAVA Productions has once again reimagined classic children’s fiction with a delightful production of The Wind in the Willows.

With a troupe of four seasoned performers and bright but minimal sets and costumes, this show was enjoyable in its simplicity and will translate well into a regional tour, as intended.

Whole Lotta Zepp

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021. Arkaba Hotel. Mar 12, 2021.

Covering an established and successful group such as Led Zeppelin is a mammoth feat, but Adelaide based tribute band Whole Lotta Zepp showed none of these concerns as they took to the stage to face a sold-out audience.

Mamma Mia!

By Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Catherine Johnson. Directed by Brad Tudor. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA, Mar 12 - 27, 2021

Mamma Mia! is Koorliny Arts Centre’s first home produced show in over twelve months, and this fun, vibrant show was definitely worth the wait.

Sounding great, under the leadership of Musical Director Kate McIntosh, leading an unseen six-piece band, this show also looks amazing. Director Brad Tudor gives us a simple but evocative set design and a stunning costume palette, where colour is used to excellent effect. Lighting design, by Jon Lambert, is colourful and bold, with a dance club feel.

Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes

By Hannah Moscovitch. Melbourne Theatre Company. Southbank, The Sumner. 6 March – 1 April 2021

Sexual Conduct of the Middle Classes depicts an ‘affair’ – and its fallout - between Jon (Dan Spielman), a successful novelist and charismatic university lecturer, and Annie (Izabella Yena), his star-struck 19-year-old student.  ‘Affair’ may not have quite the right connotations; the play is very much about the power imbalance between them – and by implication, in the wider world. 

The Comedy of Errors

By William Shakespeare. Graduate Dramatic Society. Directed by David Cotgreave. The New Fortune Theatre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands. Mar 10-20, 2021

The poster for Graduate Dramatic Society’s Comedy of Errors contains the warning that “This play contains Shenanigans” and boasts “Now with added Fish!!”, which is a huge clue to the tone of this rollicking comedy presented at this outdoor replica Shakespearean Theatre.

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