Reviews

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!

WALK OF FAME GALA

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre. Festival Theatre. January 19, 2018 at 1pm and 8pm

Adelaide’s Festival Centre has seen the world’s brightest and most glorious stars showcase their work on its various stages since the Centre’s opening in 1973. Names such as Robert Helpmann, Tim Minchin, James Morrison, Rudolph Nureyev and Nancye Hayes are just some of these artists.

Shrek The Musical

Music by Jeanine Tesori, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Adelaide Youth Theatre. Arts Theatre, Adelaide. January 19th-27th, 2018

If you think Shrek is just for kids, think again. This cracking comedy is, of course, based on the 2001 Dreamworks animated film. Set in medieval times, the ogre Shrek, played with a soothing Scottish accent by Andrew Crispe, endears himself to the audience with his crooning voice and gentle hip-swaying as he’s pestered by the camp, flamboyant Donkey (Nathan Stafford) in a performance Eddie Murphy would have enjoyed.

4x4x4 - Know Your Enemy

Directed by Amanda Crewes. The Actors' Hub School and Studio, East Perth. Jan 27-Feb 25, 2018

With the Fringe World Festival just around the corner, a small group of people were given the opportunity to ‘get their fringe on’ early, with a media only preview of 4x4x4 at the Actors Hub.

4x4x4 is a fascinating concept. Almost Repertory Theatre, four actors appear in four different productions over four nights, over four weeks. Patrons can see the four shows over four consecutive nights, or they can show up on each Thursday, for example, over the four weeks of Fringe World, and see four different shows.

Barber Shop Chronicles

By Inua Ellams. Fuel / National Theatre / West Yorkshire Playhouse / Sydney Festival. Seymour Centre, York Theatre. January 18 - 28, 2018. Perth Festival February 9 - 18, 2018

Barber Shop Chronicles from Nigerian-British writer Inua Ellams is surely the hit of the Sydney Festival.

His Chronicles check in on what African men are talking about in barber shops across Johannesburg, Lagos, Harare, Accra, Kampala and south London.

We return to some places, some ongoing stories, and the settings are masterfully linked by a nail-biting international soccer match, a repeated joke about three men in a pub and a powerful theme of men cut off from their fathers.

The Wider Earth

Queensland Theatre / Dead Puppet Society / Sydney Festival. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. January 17 - 27, 2018.

Queensland Theatre and the Dead Puppet Society have created a luminous boys’ own adventure about the voyage of young Charles Darwin on the Beagle.

Charles is running from a future in the Church but, ironically, the Beagle is really off to covert heathens in Tierra del Fuego, and use Charles to prove a then popular geological theory which would underline God’s purpose. 

The Rocky Horror Show

Book, Music & Lyrics: Richard O'Brian. Howard Panter, John Frost, GWB Entertainment. Director: Christopher Luscombe. Musical Director: Dave Skelton. Choreographer: Nathan M. Wright. Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane. 19 January - 11 February, 2018

It’s been four years almost to the day since we did the “Time Warp” in Brisbane and if last night’s overwhelming reception was any indication it couldn’t have come sooner. The Rocky Horror Show is back again in all its glory with its excess of sequins, glitter and raunchy dialogue.

Toyer

By Gardner McKay. Leading Line Productions and Tony Knight Productions. Bakehouse Theatre, Adelaide. January 17-27, 2018 at 8pm.

Toyer - n. 1. One who toys; one who is full of trifling tricks. The Toyer in Gardner McKay’s 1983 play is a serial attacker. He toys with his victims emotionally and sexually before leaving them in a vegetated state by lobotomising them.

Directed by Tony Knight (former head of acting at NIDA), Toyer is the first collaboration between local Adelaide production companies Leading Line Productions and Tony Knight Productions. The two-hander stars Stephanie Ross (Extremities, Company) and Marc Clement (Reservoir Dogs, Dateless.com).

Seize the Day

Pelican Productions. Music Theatre Camp 2018. Michael Murray Centre, Westminster College. January 18th-21st, 2018

Pelican Productions have been hosting the Music Theatre Camp for the past 14 years, an idea born out of the desire to nurture young, up and coming talent from the Adelaide region. The camp is held in the January school holidays and is an intensive two-week workshop, with training in singing, dancing and acting.

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