Reviews

The Professor

Adelaide Fringe 2019. Produced by Central Standard Theatre, presented by Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre (USA). Bakehouse Studio, 18 February to 2 March 2019.

The Professor (Bob Paisley) takes the dais and after a rambling welcome, fumbles through the introduction to his final lecture at the university. He starts precisely with math(s), performing the subject of theatre, moving quickly through dance, extolling the literature of Dickens and punctuating it with Mozart, Bach and one of his own musical compositions. He’s clearly a little unhinged, dipping a toe into the waters of his subjects, but just when you think he’s about to jump in, he switches topic, tempo and timbre.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

By Jack Thorne. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Direction: John Tiffany. Movement Direction: Steven Hoggett. Set Design: Christine Jones. Costume design: Katrina Lindsay. Composer and arranger: Imogen Heap. Lighting Design: Neil Austin. Princess Theatre Melbourne from 23rd February, 2019.

In only its third  staging, following London and New York, the gargantuan show that is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has finally arrived in Melbourne in an extraordinary production which certainly lives up to the hype.

Viagara Falls - Sweeten Up!

By Janet Findlay and Alan Youngson. Directed by Alan Youngson. Presented by Studio 188 and Red Ticket Comedy Theatre. Studio 188, 23 February – 2 March, 2019

It was a jam-packed and enthusiastic crowd that attended the world premiere of Viagara Falls - Sweeten Up. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in this bawdy, yet safe-for-nan farce. A few of the jokes in the locally-written script were definitely more relatable for Ipswich locals than out-of-towners. The narrative had recognisable and relatable characters. It was well-paced, with never a dull moment.

Spring Awakening

By Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik. Old Nick Co, Tasmania. The Peacock Theatre. Directors: Jack Lark and Finn Carter. Musical direction: Andrew Morrisby. Vocal Coach: Maria Lurighi Lighting: Jarred Claydon. Design: Chris Oakley. Costumes: Karen Fahey. February 21- March 2, 2019

Spring Awakeninghas all the disparate parts of a gawky adolescent. This enraged and piteous monster is stitched together from Frank Wedekind’s play of 1891 and with C21st folk-rock score. It is costumed for the C19th yet actors use hand microphones as props. Despite the anachronisms, this show still has something significant to communicate. Adults are still failing their children. What was once a failure to inform the young, continues to be a failure to protect. Childhood is frequently sacrificed to sexualised media and education still perpetuates the demands of the economy.

Gasworks Cabaret Project

Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park. February 27 – March 2, 2019

The fabulous Dolly Diamond hosted the Gala Preview for the fantastic new cabaret festival that includes a bunch of versatile and talented people who will perform under various banners at the Gasworks Theatres between the 27th of February to the 2 of March.

A taste of things to come, what better way to start the show with a luscious rendition of “Love is In the Air” followed by “Que Sera Sera”. Our darling Dolly has us all singing along cheerily, as she introduces us to the marvelous performances, showcased for the up and coming Cabaret project.

Railed

Head First Acrobats. Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019. The Octagon at Gluttony. Feb 20 to March 17, 2019

If you want a rootin-tootin’ night of cowboy fun, packed full of acrobatics, circus acts and just a touch of good healthy man to man sexual innuendo, then Railed is the show for you!

Circus acts are always crowd pleasers, but when a connecting narrative is added, the whole show springs to life and allows each performer to develop their own characters.

It is narrative circus at its best, set in a saloon bar into which burst 4 cowboys having just robbed a train and who are ready to celebrate big time.

Circus’Cision

Head First Acrobats. Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019. The Octagon at Gluttony. Feb 22 to March 16, 2019

Who doesn’t love a good circus? Circus’Cision provides that and more. But why call it Circus’Cision? You will have to be there for the compere’s answer; let’s just say they are at the ‘cutting edge’ of circus.

By a Thread

Adelaide Fringe Festival. One Fell Swoop Circus. The Peacock – Gluttony. February 17th – March 16th, 2019

By a Thread is a glorious mix of circus and modern dance. With special attention being made to the theatrical element of the performance, it showcases itself as an individual piece of storytelling.

Circus is not always performed in the traditional sense. In this production the focus is not only on the skills of the troupe, but on the relationships between the performers and this is precisely why the show is so special.

Parsifal

By Richard Wagner. Victorian Opera. Conductor: Richard Mills. Director: Roger Hodgman. Palais Theatre, St Kilda. Feb 20 – 24, 2019

It was a feast of Wagner in February with Victorian Opera performing Parsifal following Melbourne Opera’s The Flying Dutchman. This opera requires a large orchestra, and the Australian Youth Orchestra did themselves proud and gained valuable experience under artistic director Richard Mills. They received a standing ovation.

The set was quite bare, with little to indicate the various scenes, but the direction was never static and maintained interest.

Nell Gwynn

By Jessica Swale. The Stirling Players. Stirling Community Theatre, SA. 22 February – 9 March 2019

Jessica Swale’s comedy about the life of Nell Gwynn, the first female ‘star’ of the English-speaking theatre, was first seen at The Globe Theatre, London. This production transferred to the West End where it was a big ‘hit’, winning the 2016 Olivier Award for ‘Best New Comedy’. Subsequently, it has been performed in many places throughout the world. Finally, thanks to Megan Dansie and The Stirling Players, there is an opportunity to see this absolutely delightful play in Adelaide.

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