Reviews

Seussical: The Musical

Music by Stephen Flaherty. Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Book by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle. Northern Light Theatre Company. Playford Civic Playhouse, Elizabeth, SA. 12-20 October, 2018

There is a little gem of a musical currently playing at the Playford Civic Playhouse, Elizabeth – Seussical: The Musical by Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Eric Idle. Based on the works of Dr. Seuss, particularly Horton Hears a Who!, this is a delightful musical designed specifically for children. The Northern Light Theatre Company, who have a considerable and impressive history of producing high quality musicals, have most certainly delivered another top-class show.

(dis)Solution

By Ariella Stoian. tempest. Directed by Susie Conte. The Studio, Subiaco Arts Centre. 16 Oct - 20 Oct, 2018

Western Australia’s feminist theatre company, tempest, presents its latest venture, the WA premiere of (dis)Solution, a script developed by women, with an all female cast. A story of sisterhood, that deserves a bigger audience

n the night I attended, this well written, well directed and well acted little gem of a show, had less than a dozen in the audience, and that included some complimentary tickets and the usher. This is no reflection on the production, which tells an interesting and important story.

Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert

Book and Lyrics by Doug Macleod. Music by Yuri Worontschak. Bondi Theatre Company. Bondi Pavilion Theatre. 12-27 October 2018

This new musical is a winner, like the woman this show immortalises. The story is based upon renowned Australian chef and cook book writer Margaret Fulton. Fulton is now 94 and recently met up with this production’s magnificent team to put the cherry on top of this wonderful musical show. Her life is fascinating as she triumphs over poverty, adversity and a string of dud husbands to become Australia’s most famous and followed writer chef. Her first major cookbook, “The Margaret Fulton Cookbook”, was published in 1968 and sold one and a half million copies.

Singin’ In The Rain

Music & Lyrics: Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed. Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Blackout Theatre Company. Directors: Cierwen Newell & Jophn Hanna. Musical Directors: Koren Beale & James McLanders. Choreographer: Adam Pickstone. Pioneer Theatre Castle Hill. October 10 – 20, 2018

Blackout makes a big welcome splash with this joyful and entertaining production. The show had us singing along and tapping our toes by the end.

The dancing, the acting, the singing, the effects, the costumes; these all combined to create a fun night.

Evie May

Book and Lyrics by Hugo Chiarella. Music and Lyrics by Naomi Livingston. Hayes Theatre, Sydney. Directed by Kate Champion. October 12 - November 18, 2018

When the lights go up on this new Australian musical, there’s a sense of maturity - Sydney’s Hayes Theatre is now producing premieres of variety and accomplishment rarely seen in this country before. Evie May, a fictional story based around the long-gone Tivoli vaudeville circuit, is a complex work that starts slow and is not always successful. But when it hits its stride, this show nails it. Some of the music and writing is superb - and it’s given the best start possible with a brilliant production.

A View From The Bridge

By Arthur Miller. Grads. Directed by Barry Park. Dolphin Theatre, University of Western Australia. 17-20 October, 2018

You will need to move quickly to catch Grads’ impressive production of A View From the Bridge, as it runs for just five performances, ending this Saturday. I imagine that it will be difficult to get a ticket at the end of the run, as word will quickly spread about the high quality of this classic drama.

Tradies and Artists

Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Dane Lam. Hosted by Guy Noble. Music on Sundays Presented by QSO. Concert Hall, QPAC, 14 October 2018

Queensland Symphony Orchestra has found a very clever and engaging concept in its Music on Sundays series. The 2018 season of it has just wrapped up with Tradies and Artists. Each show in the series is curated on a theme and hosted by an entertaining emcee. The result is a production that presents a highly accessible way for people who aren’t usually orchestra-goers to understand and appreciate the music.

Tom, Dick & Harry

By Ray and Michael Cooney. Tea Tree Players. Director: Barry Hill. Tea Tree Players Theatre, Surrey Downs. 10-20 October, 2018.

If comedy is hard, then farce is especially so. For a really crackerjack farcical comedy to have been written in the first place is relatively rare; to see it staged and performed at the level of true expertise required feels like a privilege. TTP’s production of Tom, Dick & Harry is all of this, and more besides: it’s a joy!

Shrek the Musical

Based on The Dreamworks Animation Motion picture and book by William Steig. Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Music by Jeanine Tesorei. Willoughby Theatre Company. The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood. October 13 – 28, 2018.

Willoughby Theatre Company’s production of Shrek, the classic family movie turned stage musical, was a delightful experience on a mammoth scale, with production values on a par with professional theatre I have seen of late.

Nine The Musical

By Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston. Stage Art. Chapel Off Chapel. October 12 – 28, 2018

An allusive and vivacious Stage Art production!

Nine The Musical is not just an entertaining night out with a bunch of songs, it is a true experiential stirring of the senses.

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