Reviews

Who Dun Nit ?

By Anthony Shaffer. Hobart Repertory Theatre Society. Playhouse Theatre, Hobart Director: Roger Chevalier. June 3 – 18, 2011

Crazy For You

By Ken Ludwig, George and Ira Gershwin. Therry Dramatic Society (SA). Arts Theatre. 2 to 11 June, 2011.

Based on the Gershwin Brothers’ 1930 musical Girl Crazy, the Tony Award winning Crazy for You is a high-energy show packed with song, dance, comedy, love and, of course, theatre. Borrowing its soundtrack from an array of earlier productions, including ADamsel In Distress, Shall We Dance and Treasure Girl, the musical numbers are familiar and much loved.

Brady Lloyd and Fiona DeLaine are superbly cast in the key roles of Bobby Child and Polly Baker. They make a wonderful pair onstage, well matched physically and in talent.

Faustus

An Adaptation by Michael Gow. QTC and Bell Shakespeare. Director: Michael Gow. Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre. May 30 - June 25, 2011. Sydney Opera House - June 30 to July 24.

Michael Gow rightfully calls his new version of Faustus an adaptation. He has borrowed significant sections from many earlier works on the theme – plays, books, music, song, ballet –and artfully cobbled them together into an enjoyable and thought-provoking piece of theatre.

Beach Blanket Tempest

By Chris Harriott and Dennis Watkins. Normanhurst Uniting Church Musical Society (NSW). May 27 – June 11, 2011.

Affectionately known by the hard to pronunce acronym ‘NUCMS,’ this company has staged 43 musicals since 1975 and all have been written overseas.

Their first Australian musical presentation is Beach Blanket Tempest.

The surf rock musical is a send up of the ‘incy wincy’ bikini films of the sixties with a pop score loosely based  on Shakespeare’s classic.

I am the agent for the show, and have seen several productions over the years, but this one was one of the strongest.

The Goodbye Girl

By Neil Simon, Marvin Hamlisch and David Zippel. Bankstown Theatrical Society (NSW). Bankstown Arts Centre Theatre. May 27 – June 11, 2011.

Some modest, enjoyable Broadway musicals like The Goodbye Girl (1993) never get a commercial production here. It’s taken 18 years for a Sydney production; a warm, enjoyable interpretation by Bankstown Theatrical Society, the debut production in their newly renovated theatre.

Rachael Beck & Ian Stenlake – You and I

Twelve Acts of Cabaret, Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. Musical Director & Pianist: Bev Kennedy. 2 June 2011

Last night Brisbane had a taste of a New York supper club when the Cremorne Theatre was set-up in Cabaret mode for the opening of QPAC’s Twelve Acts of Cabaret. Soft lighting, candles on the tables and some red fringe above the stage all helped to create an intimate ambience. And what better act to open the season than two of Australia’s most popular musical theatre performers, Rachael Beck and Ian Stenlake.

Carmen

Music: Georges Bizet. Text and Choreography: Francois Klaus. Queensland Ballet, Playhouse, QPAC. May 28 – June 7, 2011

A strong corps de ballet and young talented principals were the highlights of the Queensland Ballet’s production of Carmen. Postponed because of the January floods, the ballet has now found a home at the Playhouse where it opened on Saturday to enthusiastic applause.

Trial by Jury and The Sorcerer

By Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria. Director: Diana Burleigh. Musical Director: Nigel McBain. May 14 – 21, 2011.

There was a disappointing crowd at the last performance of Trial by Jury and The Sorcerer by the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria, which would reflect where The Sorcerer stands in the popularity stakes. It was also the third performance in just over twenty-four hours, which affected some principals.

Babe the Sheep-pig

By Dick King Smith, adapted by David Wood. Marian Street Theatre for Young People (NSW). May 14 – July 16.

Anyone who enjoyed the movie – in fact, anyone who enjoys good theatre or wants to introduce kids to good theatre – should get themselves along to Marian Street Theatre to see this entertaining and thoroughly engaging production.  The story is the same as the movie, as are the characters – but because they are ‘real’ rather than animated, there is a relationship with the audience that is just not possible in a movie, however well done. This isn’t just a play for kids! It’s a play that anyone who likes good theatre should see.

Love Never Dies

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater. Book by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton. The Really Useful Company. Regent Theatre, Melbourne. (Vic). Director: Simon Phillips. Producer Tim McFarlane. Set and Costume Design: Gabriela Tylesova. Australian Premiere Performance, 28th May, 2011.

Australia’s Love Never Dies production is a disarmingly sumptuous feast for ears, eyes and soul, with ravishing music, breathtaking set design and costuming. The sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera opened last night at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre to a rapturous reception.