Reviews

The Popular Mechanicals

By Keith Robinson, William Shakespeare and Tony Taylor. State Theatre Company SA. Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. November 6-28, 2015.

Many theatre companies promote their comedies as ‘hilarious’, but the reality can often struggle to live up to the hype. I discovered something on opening night of State Theatre SA’s TRULY hilarious production of The Popular Mechanicals - it’s possible to laugh so long and so loud that the back of your head hurts, not to mention your ribs!

Monty Python eat your heart out; what a hoot this show is.

Beer Theatre

By Raimondo Cortese. Butterfly Theatre. Directed by Geoff Britain. The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton (SA). November 10-19, 2015

The Butterfly Theatre’s latest project, Beer Theatre, consists of three two-hander plays, of around half an hour each, presented in the intimate setting of The Wheatsheaf Hotel.  Though each of the plays are focused on very different characters, they have themes and plot points in common. Each one involves a younger character causing disruption in the life of an older one, with strained attempts at affability giving way to darker conflict as the repressed insecurities of both parties rise to the surface.

Dracula

Little Ones Theatre. Theatreworks, St. Kilda Oct 30 – Nov 14, 2015.

Dracula by Little Ones Theatre Company at Theatreworks in St. Kilda is a visually stunning and physically enchanting piece of theatre.  It’s a romp devoid of text, but relies on the physicality of the actors, a beautiful design, a mesmerising soundscape and the collaboration of some of Melbourne’s best talent.

The Chat

La Boite Indie. Conceived by James Brennan. The Studio, Brisbane's La Boite. 4-14 November, 2015

This show is an attempt to open-up elements of the state criminal justice system to the public using real life ex-offenders and prison staff through the medium of theatre while using actors with a gift for improvisation. It's rather like a television discussion programme meeting Theatresports and also includes invited audience participation.

The Motion of Light in Water

La Boite Indie. Created by Elbow Room. Director: Marcel Dorney. Roundhouse Theatre, Brisbane. 4-21 November, 2015

Using the title of established sci-fi writer Samuel R. Delaney's memoirs, this play is the result of ideas thrown around in a collective designed to bring to the stage experiences taken from his personal life, including his wife writer Marilyn Hacker, and segments of the futuristic novel that eventually put him in the spotlight, Babel-17. It was not intended to enact out an adaptation of both these stories but moreso provide further insight into his illustrious writing talents using these above two elements as a premise.

Out of the Blue

Promise Productions (SA). November 7, 2015

Brain-child of the super talented Ben Francis, Out of the Blue is a song and dance spectacular that both delights and uplifts. Promise Productions is a new company designed to promote and give opportunity to young performers, whilst raising money and contributing to many charities. Beyond Blue is a charity formed to better educate people and provide support on depression, anxiety and mental illness. A worthy charity, I am sure you will agree, and the one to benefit from Out of the Blue.

A Murder Is Announced

By Agatha Christie. Adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon. Therry Dramatic Society. Arts Theatre Adelaide. November 5-14, 2015.

Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries are a surefire way to fill theatre seats.  For this reason, some companies continue to stage them, despite the fact the plays are not exactly groundbreaking theatre. Opening night for Therry Dramatic Society’s production of Christie’s A Murder Is Announced was testament to the perennial popularity of the late playwright’s work, with almost a full house at the Arts Theatre in Adelaide.

Railway Wonderland

Concept & Direction: Julian Louis. Devised & Written by Janis Balodis with Philip Blackman, Helen Christinson, Katia Molino, Jo Turner, & Neridah Waters. Musicians: Shenzo Gregory, Greg Sheehan. Movement Director: Emma Saunders. With the Vox Caldera Choir. NORPA Production. Lismore Train Station, Lismore, 22 Oct – 7 Nov 2015

Railway Wonderland is the best site-specific theatre piece I have ever seen. A 90-minute immersive play with music that crosses multiple genres, performed in a commedia dell’arte style.

 

Jesus Christ Superstar

By Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. MLOC (Vic). Director/Choreographer: Rhylee Nowell. Musical Director: Matthew Hadgraft. The Phoenix Theatre, Elwood. Nov 6 – 14, 2015.

Living on the other side of town, I haven’t encountered an MLOC production for some time, but this was the best. The direction was tight, the chorus energetic and the drama confronting.

In the title role Ben Paine had the open, happy face that made him ideal for this role. The fact that he could sing and do the pathos as well was a bonus. The whisper quiet opening to “Gethsemane” was imbued with impending tragedy.

Seven Deadly Sins

Victorian Opera. Director: Cameron Menzies. Tahu Matheson. Hamer Hall. November 6, 2015

Seven Deadly Sins was the last collaboration between Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, after they escaped Germany. It was written following a commission from a wealthy Englishman whose wife was a ballerina and looked similar to Weill’s wife, Lotte Lenya. So the operetta was written featuring a set of twins, both called Anna, one a dancer and the other a singer.

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