Reviews

Yentl

By Gary Abrahams, Elise Esther Hearst, and Galit Klas, based on the short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer. Presented by Kadimah Yiddish Theatre. Directed by Gary Abrahams. Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse, 113 Sturt St, Southbank, Vic. 29 February - 17 March 2024.

This is a visually stunning, inspiring, and witty stage adaptation of this iconic story. The separation of sex, body and mind underpins the dialogue, action, and the staging. The set design has a haunting chiaroscuro, quasi-German expressionist effect. The smoke-filled backgrounds combined with the stony natural environment in the foreground create a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Trail’s End

Presented by Jannali Jones. Adelaide Fringe: Marion Cultural Centre & Goodwood Theatre and Studios. 16 February - 3 March 2024

Brothers Sam and Jamie are out in the bush, on a walking trip to a waterfall, where they’ll honour their late mother. Jamie has brought his GPS, his guitar – he can’t go a week without practising – and a bag of M&Ms. Sam is much more prepared but carries a secret in his backpack.

Dry Land

By Ruby Rae Spiegel. Presented by flatpack. Theatre Works, Explosives Factory, Inkerman Street, St Kilda. 28 February – 9 March 2024

Ruby Rae Spiegel’s Dry Land (2014) is the story of a friendship – a turbulent, difficult, advance-then-retreat, accept-then-reject, insult-then-beg, needy, cruel-then-kind, touching but shocking, and very hard-earned friendship. 

Amy (Luce Wirthensohn) and Ester (Cassidy Dunn) are in their final year at a Florida high school, and in the swim team.  In the pool, it’s simple and safe, there are rules, you train hard, you swim in a straight line, and the aim is to win. On dry land, things are not so clear.  

Angélique Kidjo

Perth Festival. Perth Concert Hall. 29 February 2024.

Angélique Kidjo is a force of nature and well-deserving of her official title, Queen of World Music.

She was born with a gift and was always told to share it.

Taking command of the stage with her confident dance and powerful vocals on “Crosseyed and Painless” (by Talking Heads), her energy and enthusiasm never wanes for the entire concert.

She is like a prize-fighter body-popping to the music, delivering the lyrics of each song as a personal message to each audience member.

The Nightingale and Other Fables

A co-production of Opéra national de Lyon, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Canadian Opera Company and Dutch National Opera in collaboration with Ex Machina (Canada). Presented by Adelaide Festival and State Opera South Australia. Adelaide Festival 2024. Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide. March 1, 3, 5 & 6, 2024

 

Oshun

Written and performed by Amarantha Robinson. Directed by Jaime Wilson. La Mama HQ, 205 Faraday St, Carlton Vic. 28 February - 3 March 2024.

Amarantha Robinson has created an extremely evocative and alluring show. The performance is inspired by a myth from the Yoruba (West African) oral tradition and the coming-of-age experience of the young god Oshun. When Oggun, the god of metal and technology, flees he leaves Ile Ife and Earth in darkness and chaos. Oshun believes this is her chance to prove herself and decides to pit her abilities against this powerful god. She overcomes the ridicule by other deities, the Orishas, which trigger sentiments of fear and self-doubt and uses all her feminine wiles to seduce the evil Oggun.

Where’s the Dog?

Presented by McKellar & McKellar, Adelaide Fringe: Goodwood Theatre and Studios, 28 February – 2 March 2024

Just a picture-perfect family. Mum, Dad, two kids, and the dog. It might look ideal, but it’s far from it in this new musical from Dr Erin McKellar and Jeremy Anderson, where the dysfunctional family are only held together by the shared affection for the dog, Billy.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2024 Opening Gala

Simone Young Conducts Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. 28 February – 2 March, 2024

A warm, balmy late summer night in Sydney. The forecourt of the Opera House is busy – some just enjoying the sights and the buzz; others hurrying on their way to one of the events on offer at The House: opera, (La Traviata) theatre (RBG), cabaret (Gatsby) … Or the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s gala opening of their 2024 season: Mahler’s Fifth Symphony with Australia’s own Simone Young conducting!

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare. Produced by Australian Shakespeare Company. Directed and adapted by Glenn Elston. Musical Direction by Paul Norton. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Southern Cross Lawns, 100 Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. 23 February - 17 March 2024.

Drawing on the musical allusions inherent in this play and expanding them to develop music, dancing and song gives this text an inspiring new interpretation. Pop and rock music is cleverly woven into the play and parts of the text are given musical adaptations. The characters are dressed like new romantic artists and pop culture is instantly and seamlessly married to historical Messina where the play is set. Soldiers are swapped for members of a band (Benedick and the Love Gods) and Beatrice (Anna Burgess) and Hero (Larissa Teale) headline their own group (The Babes of Disdain).

Plenty of Fish in the Sea

Presented by Sydney Fringe: Made in Sydney and Clockfire Theatre Company. Adelaide Fringe: The Courtyard of Curiosities at the Migration Museum. 27 February to 3 March 2024

A nun who only speaks French, another woman who doesn’t speak at all, and an English-speaking man rescued from the surging seas. Communication between the three is piecemeal and misinterpreted, but eventually, the newcomer to the fishing village of Saint-Cotriade becomes a part of the team that during the day, fishes for their supper, and at night… well, that’s best left for the audience to discover.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.