Reviews

A Chorus Line

Created by Michael Bennett, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre (QAEMT), Conservatorium Theatre, Brisbane. 31 July to 9 August 2025

When a group of New York dancers gathered at midnight to talk about work and record their stories for choreographer Michael Bennett, a celebration of the resulting show, A Chorus Line, 50 years later must have been the last thing on their minds. But here we are, many awards, record-breaking performances later, and A Chorus Line is 50 this year. And one of this award-winning musical’s many achievements was to create a more robust supply of triple-threat performers. As Michael Bennett asserted: “Broadway dancers are now singers and actors”.

Kimberley Akimbo

Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori. Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company. Directed by Mitchell Butel, musical direction by Kym Purling. Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. 26 July - 30 August 2025.

Kimberley Akimbo is based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire that tells the story of a teenager suffering from a disease that causes her to age four and a half times as fast as normal. It is hard to imagine how such a poignant story could be upbeat, but the music, song and dance in this delightful musical does more than merely tug at the heart strings. Kimberly Levaco (Marina Prior) develops a bond with Seth (Darcy Wain) and they are brought together as misfits. The story is funny, witty and at times subversive. 

La Bohème

By Puccini. Opera Australia. The Events Centre, Caloundra. 2 August 2025

Presented by Opera Australia and The Events Centre, Caloundra, this new staging of Puccini's La Bohème breathes fresh life into a classic with a fun, energetic pace and style. This wonderful show makes you slow down and believe in romance again after a long week of workdays, schedules and deadlines with the sweet courtship including delicate moments of gentle intimacy and cheeky flirting. The audience around me was smiling, giggling and laughing along with the antics and theatrical flair of the unfolding story. 

Miss Julie

After August Strindberg. Company 16 in association with Liminal Space. At fortyfivedownstairs. 31 July – 17 August 2025

There’s probably little to be gained from comparing this updated, relocated version of Miss Julie with Strindberg’s original text – or with the many, many other adaptations different mediums - that have been made since its premiere in 1888.  A more interesting question is why this play is performed, revived and adapted over and over. 

Electric Fields with Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Conducted by Vanessa Scammell. Presented by QPAC as part of Clancestry. Concert Hall, QPAC. 2 August, 2025

In a night that pulsed with power and poetry, Electric Fields joined forces with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Vanessa Scammell for a truly extraordinary performance at QPAC’s Concert Hall. As part of ‘Clancestry’ (QPAC’s celebration of First Nations culture) this genre-bending collaboration wasn’t just a concert; it was an invocation, a celebration, a spiritual electro-symphonic dance party.

Javier Perianes Performs Saint-Saens

Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. July 30 – August 1, 2025

This concert of the last major works by Rossini, Camille Saint-Saen and Shostakovich offers a peek into their final musical journeys over two centuries.

Broadway Bound

By Neil Simon, Directed by Carla Moore. The Theatre on Chester, Epping, NSW. 1 – 23 August, 2025

Neil Simon wrote some of my favourite plays.  Brilliant writing, engaging, relatable stories with utterly identifiable characters typify the works of one of America’s greatest, and most bankable playwrights.

Broadway Bound, the final of the Simon trilogy which started with Brighton Beach Memoirs and continued with Biloxi Blues, can now take its rightful place amongst the elite list of Simon classics I treasure.

Ms Julie Gabler: Trapped

By Kathleen Mary Fallon. Explosives Factory, Theatre Works. 30 July – 9 August 2025

Here is a powerful, engrossing play in which a gripping tension is maintained to the very end.  Audiences will recognise elements of Strindberg and Ibsen plays in the title – and then, in the spine of the show itself, Shakespeare’s Othello.  But the references - indeed quotations - are there to be questioned and subverted.  And as for the extra word in the title ‘Trapped’, the play questions how much its characters – and us – are trapped inside the structures and expectations represented by these literary sources.  Sources whi

Marrow

By Australian Dance Theatre. Concept and direction by Daniel Riley. Choreography by Daniel Riley with ADT’s Company Artists. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre. 31 July – 1 August 2025 and touring

Marrow is a choreographed scream of defiance and demand for discussion. The dance draws strongly from the movements of nature, in wind, on tides, striding birds, sea creatures and animals, using surreal gestures which are far more than mimicry. As a Wiradjuri man from Western NSW, ADT’s current director Daniel Riley brings his knowledge of and respect for First Nations traditions. His work here incorporates the motivations and passions of the company dancers, making the piece deeply personal and honest.

Press Play

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Festival Theatre, Festival Centre Adelaide. Aug 2, 2025

Gaming has had a bad rap of late in the media with concerns of young people spending a large amount of time ‘glued’ to their screens or being in danger of being groomed by unscrupulous players.

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