Reviews

8 Women

By Robert Thomas adapted by Céline Oudin. PLaylovers. Directed by Paul Treasure. Old Mill Theatre, South Perth, WA. May 22 - 31. 2025

Thanks to the generosity of Old Mill Theatre, Playlovers have taken to the stage once more, with their rendition of the French black comedy, 8 Women. A Western Australian premiere, this adaptation of the 70-year-old French play was originally performed in Canberra, and thanks to Stage Whispers came to the attention of Director Paul Treasure, who has searched for many years for an English version of this play.

Come From Away

Book, Music & Lyrics: Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Director, Co-Vocal Director & Choreographer: Ali McLaren. Musical Director & Co-Vocal Director: Aradie Blake. Company Manager: Kerry Cheeseman. Holiday Actors. The Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool. May 14 – 18, 2025.

Warrnambool’s Holiday Actors’ 40th anniversary production is a breath of fresh air. While extravagant, high-budget productions often fail to connect on an emotional level, Come From Away distinguishes itself with a modest budget and a close-knit cast that creates a moving, memorable experience long after the performance ends.

Wuthering Heights

Adapted by Simon James from the novel by Emily Bronte. Arena Arts. Directed by Simon James. City of Gonells Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, Thornlie, WA. May 9-16, 2025

Arena Arts presented an original adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights for a short season at Don Russell Performing Arts Centre. Authentic to the novel, though obviously heavily abridged, this production featured costumes and settings that felt true to the story and era.

A Chorus Line

Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Original direction and choreography by Michael Bennett. Willoughby Theatre Company. Director: Stig Bell. Choreographer: Stephanie Edmonds. Musical Director: Greg Larielle-Jones. The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood. May 23 to June 1, 2025.

Last night’s performance of A Chorus Line at Chatswood Concourse, presented by Willoughby Theatre Company, was nothing short of stunning. This production was more than just a musical; it was a confession of truth.

Mark Vincent - From West End To Broadway

Australian Musical Theatre Festival. Musical Director: Guy Noble. Princess Theatre, Launceston. May 22, 2025

Confession: I missed the memo about Mark Vincent when he won Australia’s Got Talent 15 years ago, at the age of 15. So, when I finally did view his audition on YouTube, it was AFTER witnessing his stellar performance as a grown adult, last night at the Princess Theatre Launceston. Weirdly, I think seeing the audition afterwards had even more impact. 

Endgames: three short works by Hibberd, Beckett and Chekhov

An excerpt from ‘A Stretch of the Imagination’ by Jack Hibberd; ‘Eh, Joe’ by Samuel Beckett; ‘On the Harmfulness of Tobacco’ by Anton Chekhov. Fortyfivedownstairs, Flinders Lane. 22 May – 1 June 2025

This trio of very different ‘short works’ shows the magic of theatre.

Mamma Mia!

Book by Catherine Johnson. Music and Lyrics Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus. Blackout Theatre Company. Pioneer Theatre, Castle Hill. May 23 – June 1, 2025

A one-in-100-year rain event didn’t dampen the excitement for the opening night of Blackout Theatre’s Mamma Mia! The beloved ABBA-infused musical spiritedly danced into the hearts of a rain-soaked audience from the very first note.

With the energy of an ABBA soundtrack as a glorious backdrop, fun choreography by Jess Edward/Emelie Woods and a fantastic ensemble sound, we were whisked off on a Mediterranean holiday. 

Looking for Alibrandi

By Vidya Rajan, based on the book by Melina Marchetta. State Theatre Company South Australia (STSA). Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre. 22-31 May 2025Looking for Alibrandi

Vidya Rajan’s adaptation of Melina Marchetta’s iconic 1990s coming-of-age novel has done more laps around Australian theatres than a Year 12 student chasing their SACE-ATAR dreams. First unleashed at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre and later charmed the socks off Belvoir Street audiences in Sydney, this latest STSA production at the Dunstan Playhouse proves the show’s staying power is as potent as Nonna Katia’s homemade grappa. Please forgive the following continual reference to Italian-based food that is triggered by this production.

The Penelopiad

By Margaret Atwood. University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. The Little Theatre, Adelaide University, Adelaide. 23 May – 1 June, 2025

The University of Adelaide’s latest production The Penelopiad takes us back to ancient Greece and gives an alternate view of Homer’s epochal novel, The Odyssey.

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, based on her book, premiered with the Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Canada's National Arts Centre at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, in July 2007.

Merrily We Roll Along

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by George Furth. Gilbert and Sullivan Society of SA. Arts Theatre Adelaide. May 22-31, 2025

Not being particularly familiar with Merrily We Roll Along, other than knowing that in 1981 it closed on Broadway after sixteen performances, I attended with open mind and faith in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of SA.

Matt Smith has assembled a talented cast to handle the tongue-twisting musical challenge that comes with a Sondheim show. It is well directed with plenty of fast scene changes and movement to hold the audience’s attention for the 2 hours 45 minutes.

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