Reviews

Chicago

Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. John Frost, Suzanne Jones in association with Barry and Fran Weissler. State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. Dec 14, 2019 – Feb 23, 2020

Chicago the Musical, offering more razzle-dazzle sensationalism than any Broadway show, ever, has finally hit Melbourne for Summertime. Expect a non-stop razzle dazzle of shimmering, sordid sassiness.

Cirque Stratosphere

The Works Entertainment. Concert Hall, Sydney House from December 24 to 29, 2019 then January 14 to 19, 2020 and Hamer Hall, Melbourne from January 3 - 11, 2020.

Circus is no longer just Circus! Technology has contemporised it, taken it out of travelling caravans and raised audiences’ expectations beyond the thrill of the daring performances to want more than the old “greatest show on earth”! They still want the thrills, but they want lights, sound – and even story – as well the action!

Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare. Sport for Jove. Bella Vista Farm, December 21 – 30, 2019; Leura Everglades, Jan 11 – 26, 2020; Old Government House, Parramatta Park, February 2 – March 1, 2020.

On cue, the birds started shrieking at 8pm just as the drama commenced, adding to the challenge of hearing the actors but also adding to the excitement of the opening. The outdoor setting in front of Bella Vista Farm – equipped with a balcony on a two storey building, a separate adjoining farmhouse with steep stairs, a courtyard and a softly descending garden is a delicious stage for this classic.

Songs for Nobodies

Book by Joanna Murray-Smith. Songs by various. Directed by Simon Phillips. Duet Productions. Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio, 18 December 2019 – 5 January 2020 and Sydney Opera House, 23 January – 9 February, 2020

Five ‘nobodies’ – a New York ‘powder room’ attendant, an usher, a rookie journalist, a woman telling her father’s wartime story, and a waitress on Onassis’ yacht – each of them has an unforgettable encounter with a famous 20th century singer – Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billy Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas.

The Spirit of Christmas

Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Simon Kellaway. Lucy Maunder, Blake Bowden, Spirit of Christmas Choir, Brisbane Biralee Voices, Judit Molnar, Maddison Coleman and Zac Parkes. Host: Sofie Formica. Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane. 20-21 December 2019.

QPAC’s Spirit of Christmas concerts began in 1984 and now 35 years later they’re still going. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without them, with the Concert Hall all decked out in decorations, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, massed choirs and guest artists, it’s the best festive concert of the season.

The Nutcracker

Ballet based on ETA Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Choreographer: Ben Stevenson. Music: Pyoyr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Queensland Ballet. Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Nigel Gaynor. Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane. 13-21 December 2019

This is the seventh successive year that Queensland Ballet has mounted The Nutcracker, and judging by the full-house of littlies and oldies audiences can’t get enough of it. The company deliver a simply joyous and magical production that is precision sharp and fresh.

The familiar story of Clara and her nocturnal dreams that whisk her to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets is beautifully danced and executed in this revered and popular classic.

Anna

Written and performed by Bagryana Popov. Directed by John Bolton, presented by La Mama Theatre, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton. 17-22 December, 2019.

The experiences that Popov alludes to in this theatre piece are quite chilling. The psychologically corrosive effect of secretive bureaucracies and the resulting paranoia are well displayed in the narrative. Her encounters with officials and administrators are imbued with complex layers of subterfuge. The central character seeks refuge from this grim reality through the writing of fantastical stories and this becomes an interesting coping mechanism. 

Disney’s Cinderella Kids

By Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston, Marcy Heisler and Bryan Louiselle. Bel Canto Productions. Directed by Kelsey Zampino. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth WA. Dec 15, 2019

Audiences needed to be quick to catch Bel Canto Productions’ Disney’s Cinderella Kids, as this charming little production played for just two performances. For those unfamiliar with MTI’s Kids series, these are bite sized musicals, often cut from longer shows, and are designed to be performed by very young casts. To supplement the 30 minute show, Bel Canto students added a musical theatre concert as a second act.

The Little Prince

By Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Directed by Michael Barlow. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Short St, Fremantle, WA. Jan 13 - Feb 1, 2020

It may seem a little strange to be reviewing a show that doesn’t open until January 13, but the media showing of The Little Prince comes after its very successful schools season, and the show will open to the public in mid-January. This beautiful revival from SPPT’s vaults is very moving, and a wonderful exploration of what is really important in life.

Handel’s Messiah

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. November 13 – 15, 2019

Handel’s Messiah, composed in 1741, is an oratorio based on scriptural texts compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible. It highlights three of the major events in the life of Christ. His birth (the Christmas section), the Passion (the events leading to the crucifixion) and the Resurrection (the Easter section).

It is traditionally performed leading up to Christmas – and this year in many parts of England it will be the culmination of a year of performances of Handel’s works in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his death.

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