Reviews

Queensland Theatre presents an Ensemble Theatre revival of David Williamson’s ‘odd couple’ comedy starring Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine. Don’t expect any conscience-piercing messages this time – thankfully the politics at play here are sexual and social. And, when Williamson’s characters are voiced by these experienced performers, the resulting two-hour two-hander is an entertainment delight.

Southern Cross Soloists are celebrating their 30th year of musical excellence and so titled this program ‘Pearls’ – for the landmark anniversary, and for the rare musical jewels they have chosen to showcase. And this display certainly sparkled! It is also Reconciliation Week, and so wonderful that this celebration of music included First Nations superstars, both from Queensland – Chris Williams (didgeridooist extraordinaire) and Nina Korbe (soprano, and recent graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium and London’s Royal Academy of Music).

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA are presenting the rarely performed Utopia Limited. Performing for only the third time in WA (previous incarnations were in 1972 and 2002). This little seen production has a great deal of charm.

The Barden Party, from NZ, can take a Shakespeare play, trim it, leave out characters, do some gender bending, add Bluegrass music songs and yet, amazingly, leave the play’s emotions and drama intact.  They do all that with their interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, but there’s comedy as well.  Tragedy it remains, but their Romeo and Juliet is also enormous fun.  With their Macbeth, the intent is more serious.  Adapted and directed by Laura Irish, the gender bending isn’t arbitrary or funny – it’s focussed and delib