Reviews

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland©

Choreography Christopher Wheeldon. Music: Joby Talbot. The Australian Ballet. Capitol Theatre, Sydney, 20 February to 5 March, 2024, then Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre from 15 to 26 March

Christopher Wheeldon’s stupendous homage to the surreal imagination of Lewis Carroll is revived even bigger on the wide stage at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.  Premiered in London, Alice was first staged by the Australian Ballet five years ago; now it’s their largest ever production.

Idomeneo

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Libretto by Abbe Giambattista Vaersco. Opera Australia and Victorian Opera. Directed by Lindy Hume. Conducted by Johannes Fritzsch. Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. February 20 - March 15, 2024.

Idomeneo was the first grand opera composed by Mozart at the age of 24 and is also believed the be one of the last written for a principal singer who was castrated.

The supply of male singers (who had made the prescribed sacrifice as children) was drying up and so the high-pitched leading role of Idamante was adapted by Mozart for a tenor, and these days is played by a mezzo-soprano.

This part is only one of the challenges of the opera, which has a sweeping story involving Greek Gods, a huge storm, a sea monster and the booming presence of King Neptune.

Rent

Book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Produced by Lauren Peters & Toby Francis, directed by Shaun Rennie, musical direction by Andrew Worboys and choreography by Luca Dinardo. State Theatre, Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, Melbourne. 17 February - 7 March 2024

The cultural resonance of this musical is powerful because of its deep historical heritage and its ability to accurately capture the bohemian nature of 1980s New York. Despite being set in such a specific time and place this production effectively highlights the enormous contemporary relevance of this timeless story.

Mythos: Ragnarok

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. The Mythological Theatre and Phil McIntyre Live. Umbrella Revolution at the Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide. Feb 16 to March 17, 2024

I remember watching Mario Milano and Hulk Hogan in World’s Championship Wrestling on television back in the 1960s. Being new to wrestling at that time, I was amazed that they did not break any bones, now I know better.

Mythos:Ragnarok takes WCW one step further and links it to Norse folklore in 70 minutes of mat thumping fun!

Godz

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. Head First Acrobats. The Vault at Fool’s Paradise, Victoria Square, Adelaide. February 20 to March 17, 2024

To the uninitiated, the setting for Godz appears to be a golden table and 4 golden chairs. In reality, it is the home of the Gods. Their table has ample wine for a bacchanal of epic proportions presided over by  Hercules (the god of strength) who beckons to us to join them in his revels!

There is so much to love about this show, incredible circus skills, a well written funny script, clever lighting, and sound plot and above all, the talent of the four performers.

Chronically Ill-Prepared

Adelaide Fringe – Prompt Creative Centre. Presented by Unscripted and Unmasked. 18-21 February 2024

Improv at Fringe usually means comedy – and there’s plenty of that here – but there’s also a good dose of serious drama: tension, thrills, and a narrative that you want to explore further than the ding of the bell allows.

The Wolves

By Sarah DeLappe. Ad Astra, Brisbane. 15 February - 9 March 2024

Ad Astra scores another hit with Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves. Written between the 2015 and 2017 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, The Wolves premiered off-Broadway in 2016. Its nomination for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017 captured the growing importance of women’s sports-related stories. US playwright, Sarah DeLappe, is now working for HBO on a comedy/drama starring Kate Winslet, The Regime. This is unsurprising, as The Wolves crackles with witty dialogue and star-giving moments for every character.

Forbidden

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. The Pink Flamingo Speigelclub, Festival Plaza Adelaide. Feb 16 to March 17, 2024

There are not enough stars to rate Forbidden, it is a superb show in every way!

Drawing its roots from German cabaret, Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergere, this production sets the scene even before the show begins – pink front row seating, pink lighting and the FOH staff dressed in pink. It is a pink paradise.

Bi-sexual Intellectuals

Adelaide Fringe. World Premiere. The Kingfisher: Gluttony. Feb 16 – 25, 2024

Millicent Saare is an ‘old hand’ at Fringe shows and, once again, turns her hand to a new 60-minute show by partnering with Jemma Allen, and Rosie Russell to present Fringe Foundation supported Bi-sexual Intellectuals. A word of caution: it is a 15+ rated show for a reason as the themes and language are very much for an over fifteen, and possibly under 60 audience. It is also a show for those who are proudly feminist and feminist supporters.

Ten Thousand Hours

Adelaide Fringe. The Peacock at Gluttony. Presented by Gravity & Other Myths. 16-25 February 2024

Gravity & Other Myths (GOM) are a South Australian arts company that has impressed the world with its acrobatic prowess since it formed in 2009. They have collaborated with choirs and orchestras for huge Festival performances, though I’ve always had a soft spot for their first Fringe hit, A Simple Space, which showcased staggering acrobatics in a bare, square arena.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.