Reviews

He Dreamed a Train

Written by Margi Brown Ash and Travis Ash and co-devised with Benjamin Knapton. Directed by Benjamin Knapton. Presented by Force of Circumstance and Nest Ensemble in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse. Visy Theatre, 28 June – 16 July, 2017

The Visy Theatre is the perfect space to experience the intimately powerful performance of He Dreamed a Train. The raked seating that kisses the stage’s edge along with Margi Brown Ash’s pre-show introduction encourages you to feel you belong, that you’re at home in the lived-in lounge room set.

Cloudstreet

By Nick Enright and Justin Monjo, based on the Tim Winton novel. Directed by Brendan Ellis. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. 22 Jun - Jul 1, 2017

The quintessentially Western Australian Cloudstreet, by Nick Enright and Justin Monjo, based on the Tim Winton novel, played to full houses at the Old Mill Theatre, situated just across the river from much of the action of the play.

Simply set, using projections (Daniel Toomath) and props, it was thoughtfully lit by lighting designer John Woolrych to create intimacy and broader spaces as well as ‘magical’ moments. Sarah Christiner provided a subtle but effective sound design.

 

In the Dome Room (at 2 o’clock)

By Rob George and Dale Ringland. State Opera of South Australia & Prospect Productions Pty Ltd. The Madrigal Room, Netley. June 30th and July 1st, 2017

The State Opera of SA (in association with Prospect Productions Pty Ltd) has ventured into the world of musical theatre with their production of In the Dome Room (at 2 o’clock).

This musical play tells the story of the creation of the famous English musical comedy Chu Chin Chow, which opened at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, in August 1916, and ran for a record-breaking five years.

Woolf Works

Ballet by Wayne McGregor. Music: Max Richter. Conductor: Koen Kessels. Royal Ballet. Lyric Theatre, QPAC. 29 June – 2 July 2017

QPAC’s 2017 International Series sees the return of London’s famed Royal Ballet performing two of their signature modern ballets for the first time outside of the Royal Opera House.

Cyrano de Bergerac

By Edmond Rostand, adapted by Damien Ryan. Sport for Jove. Directed by Damien Ryan. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre. June 28 - July 1, 2017, and Wollongong, September 13 − 16, 2017

Two classic English translations of Rostand’s (1897) play in the original French (set in around 1640) are well-known to theatre buffs; Damien Ryan’s adaptation, presumably of one of them, sets the bulk of the play, in France, just before World War I.  Ryan’s adaptation maintains the incredibly clever word play that its hero’s nearly constant rhyming couplets do nothing to compromise, but introduces here and there a sly comic reference to historical events relevant to its more modern setting.

 

Blue: The Songs of Joni Mitchell

Queenie van de Zandt. Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017. Chapel off Chapel. 27 June to 1 July, 2017.

As you enter the Chapel Loft, you’re shrouded in the smell of burning candles, the stage dressed in woven rugs, a self-portrait of Joni.

Piece by piece a picture of her life is painted. Voice overs of Joni’s mother, lovers, friends. Beloved songs performed by Queenie van de Zandt and her three-piece band including pianist and the show’s musical director, Vicky Jacobs. Van de Zandt’s voice pierces your heart.

Dolly Diamond’s The Lady is a Tramp

Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Chapel off Chapel. 27 June to 1 July 2017

I couldn’t go to the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2017 without catching Artistic Director, Dolly Diamond’s show, The Lady is a Tramp, a fun-filled romp of adult humour, daring costumes and girl-power songs.

In true cabaret style, each performance is unique. While Diamond did shows of the same title in Perth and Adelaide, she explained, the Melbourne season is different again. I imagine, every night is different! Diamond is truly a master of improvisation, spitting out sassy comments quicker than a popcorn machine.

Mr Stink

By Maryam Master, based on the book by David Walliams. CDP Kids. Director: Jonathan Biggins. Gardens Theatre, Brisbane. June 24-July 2, 2017, followed by NSW/ACT tour in July.

Mr Stink is a multi-layered play in a single-story context, and for an hour’s entertainment in the school holidays, it is a valuable experience for parents and children.

For school children, the play goes like this:

A young school girl befriends a homeless man and tries to help him out when a would-be local government MP (AKA, the young girl’s mother) says all homeless people should be banned from her area of town.

Older kids and adults will read a little more into it:

Alice In Wonderland

Adapted and directed by Terri Brabon. TheatreiNQ. Anderson Gardens, Townsville, Queensland. 24 June to 9 July, 2017

Set against a lush background of raintrees and tropical rainforest, this production of Alice in Wonderland has been re-worked by director/adapter Terri Brabon for a contemporary production which can only be described in these words – original, inventive and delightful.

100 Reasons for War (War, What is it Good For?)

By Tom Holloway. La Mama. June 21 to June 25, 2017

This production by La Trobe’s Student Theatre is most impressive and completely engaging.  Performed by eleven young adults with clarity and poise.  This is a testament to the skills of Director Bob Pavlich as a very experienced director of Student Theatre having been the Artistic Director of Student Theatre and Film at Latrobe University for 21 years. 

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