Reviews

Joanna Murray-Smith took on some heavy responsibilities when agreeing to write this play – responsibilities to the subject, the theme, the nation – and to herself as a writer. It is never easy to create a piece of theatre about someone who is living, especially when that

‘someone’ is now so well-known on the ‘world stage’, someone whose words have resounded internationally. Someone like Australia’s first, and, unfortunately, only, female Prime Minister. Someone like Julia Gillard.

High Pony has nothing to do with brumbies in the Alps. It’s a ponytail, worn high, the preferred hairstyle of your under-25s netball player. Thus Mel and Sam’s opening number in their show this year is, ‘Net-f*cking-ball’ – aggressive, defiant, in your face – and a sharply observed nasty, witty take on the immensely popular game and its sometimes strangely motivated players.  A contemporary phenomenon no less and therefore ripe for Mel and Sam to take the piss.

Sweeney Todd. The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a gorgeously dark production performed with strength by WAAPA Third Year Musical Theatre, and superbly designed built and crewed by WAAPA Production and Design students.

Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is performed by WAAPA Third Year Acting Students, with design and creative elements provided by WAAPA Production and Design students. A vibrant and colourful production, Much Ado About Nothing showcases the emerging talents from a range of WAAPA disciplines.