Reviews

Presented by the City of Perth and performed by the Australian Performing Arts Network (APAN), The Nativity is a large-scale presentation, staged in the centre of Perth and free for the public.

The traditional story of Jesus' birth is told, with the help of wonderful singing and dancing from performers from all over Western Australia.

This year's story is introduced by two young boys (Charlie Martin and Zac Mcculloch) who discover an old book in a library. A shepherd from biblical times (Elwyn Edwards) appears and tells us the Christmas story.

Miranda, directed by Rodney Palmer at the Garrick Theatre, is a very nice looking production, that tells its story well.

When aristocratic doctor Paul Marten finds a mermaid, while fishing in Cornwall, he decides to bring her to his London flat disguised as an invalid. This decision causes no end of consternation.

Rhett Clarke is a convincing Sir Paul, although is difficult to hear at times. Mary Murphy is elegant and sympathetic as central character Lady Clare.

Lovers of Sondheim need not fear the arrival of Disney’s Into The Woods, although there are always going to be those lovers of Musical Theatre who believe it is sacrilege to tamper with something so iconic. There is already a brilliant stage production available on DVD, but a large-scale film production requires a different approach to the material, and a different ethos when judging the result.

There’s no doubt that Sport For Jove create great theatre. More importantly, however, they create great experiences. If you attend one of their shows (and you should), expect a night of entertainment in the truest sense of the word. While the company is not exclusively an outdoor company, site-specific outdoor entertainment is where they began, and where they excel.