Reviews

Set in two London apartments simultaneously, this farce looks at the way some people cover up extramarital affairs at the expense of innocent third parties and Annie Lotokie’s production was grand and middle-class at the same time, as was the interesting set. The elegance of Frank (Chris Hawkins) and Fiona (Viviane Gian) Foster’s lavish decor as opposed to Bob (Adam Skelton) and Teresa (Peta Simeon) Phillips’ meagrely furnished abode was visually great and workable.

Papillon is a joyous fusion of circus, physical theatre and cabaret. Though none of the various stunts are particularly original or groundbreaking, they are performed with impressive athletic finesse and endearingly cheeky good humour.

Richly deserving of its Pulitzer for Drama, Rabbit Hole shares thejourney of married couple Becca and Howie as they grieve over the accidental death of their four-year-old son, killed when he chased his pet dog in front of a car.

A sparse, poignant drama about grieving, it’s also rich in very human wit and ultimately opens the door to hope, evoking empathy, while eschewing the maudlin and melodramatic (the playwright provides three pages of precise instructions to ensure this).

Melbourne continues to amaze me with the number of semi-professional opera companies finding niche markets for their works. As part of the Midsummer Festival, Left Bauer Productions introduced the Australian premiere of the American opera Harvey Milk, based on the first Gay Activist in America to be elected to public office.