Reviews

Short and sweet, easy to understand, funny, with a woman who thrives in a battle of affection with her boss.

It’s not often you can say that about an opera, but that is exactly what Maid Made Boss, sung in Italian with English sub-titles, delivered for Pinchgut in its latest production.

The miniature opera company chose a piece first performed in Naples in 1733 for two performances and recorded it for good measure for a future broadcast by ABC Classic FM.

“I got your gift. Might be the most beautiful gift I ever got.” 

The gift was a sky-blue Olivetti Studio 44 typewriter from Kath, the mother of Trent Dalton’s mate Greg. He told Greg he’d write something special on that typewriter. “Something filled with love and depth and truth and frankness”. He did! He wrote down the words of “random strangers” who “kindly, gently, wildly, courageously, beautifully” told him their love stories.

Advent Brass Band was founded in 1925 and this special event celebrated 100 years of activity. This is an organisation that reaches out to young people through Christian beliefs and practice and employs brass band music in this enterprise. The success of the band was consolidated in this illustrious gala event and provided an opportunity to showcase the many excellent musicians who operate in its orbit. Celebrating a 100-year history is indeed a very admirable milestone and the performance celebrated this by bringing its community together and providing some sterling entertainment.

This is a sweet musical and a good night out. The narrative might be thin, but as the lady herself has said - if you want a rainbow, you’ve got to put up with a bit of rain.

First let me help get your bearings about where this production is placed on the Dolly musical universe.

9 to 5 the musical, adapted from the movie, had its Australian professional premiere in 2022.  Currently on the way to Broadway, is the large cast all singing and dancing, fully autobiographical Dolly: A True Original Musical.