Reviews

The Lisbon Traviata has a strong, well-directed and strongly performed production that steps a little out of Garrick’s usual comfort zone.

A show that premiered in 1985 at the height of the AIDS crisis, the threat of AIDS is a sinister backdrop to a show that is about much more.  The Lisbon Traviata is the story of two opera fanatics who use opera to escape their troubles - whether that is loneliness or a crumbling relationship. 

If one wanted to create an original play with an Australian theme, what better than to choose the subject of Aussie rules football. But to mould it into a more intriguing opus why not include current issues that ask questions, explore characters in depth and touch on elements of Australia's complicated history. First Nation person, Nathan Maynard has successfully achieved this in his play about a failing football team in a small country town, which includes two Aboriginal cousins, and all the pros and cons of rising to stardom and being accepted as a team member.

Even those who are not fans of classical ballet wouldn't be disappointed with this display of creative and physical energy: its colourful setting and humorous plot will always withstand the annals of time and is well worthwhile staging again after its initial success with the RNZB and QB in 2015-6. Mendelssohn originally composed the opening as a concert overture and was later commissioned to write additional incidental music for the play, a score now well-known and performed by Camerata in this production, conducted and arranged by accomplished Principal Conductor and MD Nigel Gaynor.

Mark Twain’s definition of humour as tragedy plus time forms the basis of Ed Byrne’s compelling show. The premise is that with the distance of time tragic events can eventually become a source of humour. Byrne puts this to the test as he recounts his troubled relationship with his younger brother who passed away shortly after reconciling with him. The story is indeed tragic, and although Byrne’s treatment of this narrative is often hilarious, he also highlights its poignancy.