Reviews

Sorting Out Rachel

By David Williamson. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Director: Nadia Tass. 19 January - 17 March 2018

According to the Ensemble’s program, David Williamson has written ‘more than fifty-three produced plays’, though whether the current one is No. 54 is unclear. At any rate it’s a hell of a lot and, with an apparent lock on the Ensemble’s prime-time, two-month slot every year, who knows the number that the 75-year-old playwright will eventually reach.

When I Awoke

Writer, Composer & Director James Christensen. The Butterfly Club, Carson Place, Melbourne CBD. 23 - 28 January 2018

A woman paces restlessly in her luxury London apartment.  Her life and career are in ruins, her relationships smashed and lost.  But what ‘wakes’ her is that her formerly estranged sister has sent her a one-way plane ticket ‘home’.  What is ‘home’?  As a home town, it is Mossman in far north Queensland.  The Woman confides in us – rather than thinking aloud.  She reluctantly visits her past: remembering that ‘home’ was a place of heat, abandonment, silence, boredom and mediocrity.

Lockpick Pornography

Adaptor/Performer: Christopher Bryant. Director/Dramaturg: Emma Palackic. After the book by Joey Comeau. La Mama Courthouse. Midsumma Festival. Jan 17 - 21.

Lockpick Pornography is an outrageous transgressive production at the La Mama Courthouse, Carlton, as part of the Midsumma Festival.  Performed by Christopher Bryant, who is a multi-talented writer and performer, along with the director Emma Palackic, both have successfully adapted a serialized novella by Canadian writer Joey Comeau.

Tonsils + Tweezers

By Will O'Mahoney. Jack Rabbit Theatre. KX Theatre (NSW). Jan 12 - 27, 2018

A cast full of energy, with an exciting fast paced formula – a story of a friendship, with humour, fun, and a dark side revealed in the unravelling of the story line.

This excellent cast and production is well directed by Michael Abercromby. A strong ensemble of actors deliver an interesting storyline accompanied by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The audience do not grasp the significance of quotes from Macbeth until near the end of the play.

Meow Meow's Pandemonium

Meow Meow and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. January 22 & 23, 2018

Meow has come a long way since her Sydney Festival shows in the Spiegeltent with a small band. Now she’s in the Opera House Concert Hall with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

Her frequent musical collaborator Iain Grandage is the conductor; harnessing the SSO’s power and intricate playing as much as its fun capacity to match Meow’s madly hilarious cabaret style.

Buried

Two short plays by Xavier Coy. A Wheels & Co Production. Directed by Johann Walraven. Old 505 Theatre, Newtown, NSW. January 17 - 27, 2017.

A short but sweet night out. Xavier Coy’s two contrasting plays The Sandpiper and Smokin’ Joe combine for a light entertaining production.

The Sandpiper was a psychological short play. A visit by Hannah (Amelia Campbell) to a psychologist Amy (Tara Clark) does not turn out as expected. There are mind games and probing by Hannah of her psychologist. It is an interesting piece of writing that left the audience with unanswered questions, wanting more.

Lord of the Flies

By William Golding, adapted by Nigel Williams. Beenleigh Theatre Group. January 19 - February 3, 2018.

Lord of the Flies is an adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, transformed into a chilling, beautiful and hugely entertaining play, directed by Bradley Chapman and lead by some of the biggest talent in Brisbane. Although published over 60 years ago, Lord of the Flies is still one of the most widely read and frequently examined works of 20th century literature. In this theatrical performance, the action is transferred from deserted island to deserted theatre as a group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned.

Shen Yun

Artistic Director D.F. Arts Centre Gold Coast. Jan 20th-21st, 2018. Perth: Jan 24-28. Canberra: Jan 31-Feb 1. Sydney: Feb 7-11. Bendigo: Feb 3-4. Adelaide: Feb 13.

There is something quite “other worldly”, even magical, about Shen Yun as a production, that leads to a string of adjectives starting with E …exquisite, ethereal, excellent, esoteric, exciting.

Son of A Preacher Man - The Dusty Springfield Story.

Performed by Mel Djuric. Speakeasy HQ, Apollo Theatre (Vic). January 18 - March 31, 2018.

Even 19 years after her death, Dusty Springfield remains popular.

The hour-long Son of a Preacher Man - The Dusty Springfield Story includes many of Springfield’s most popular classics: ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’, ‘You’re Just Too Good to be True’, and the titular ‘Son of a Preacher Man’.

Alongside the classics are one or two surprises.

Apart from the performance, it’s the factoids that Djuric shares with the audience that helps you learn about Springfield.

Wicked

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Winnie Holzman. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Young Australian Broadway Chorus. Director: Robert Coates. Musical Director: Andy Coates. Choreographer: Jacqui Green. National Theatre, St Kilda. January 19 - 27, 2018.

This was the third production of Wicked I have encountered. I saw the professional production when it came out, and reviewed a performance by one of the top amateur companies. So how would a company of juniors cope with this demanding musical?

In a word, magnificently!

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