Reviews

This is a splendid play, brilliantly written, and destined for literary greatness.

Queensland Premier’s award winner, it will polarise audiences: if they like to be challenged they’ll love it (in scope it resembles The Crucible); those who seek light entertainment won’t.

Muslim terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre marked the start of this century; Christian zealots’ destruction of the Library of Alexandria, then seat of the world’s learning, took place 1600 years earlier.

Crossing Delancey, a romantic comedy about Isabelle, who works in a New York Bookshop, the men in her life, her grandmother, and a matchmaker, plays out on an effective three section set, representing a kitchen, a park and the bookshop where Isabelle works.

Becky Lee handled the role of Isabelle well, in a warm engaging performance, sharing a good rapport with Patricia McCracken as her grandmother Bubbie. The only fault, minor in respect of the story, was Becky’s initial outfit, which was far too bland for a contemporary New York girl in her own apartment.

The opening night audience of the confronting and thought-provoking play Bad Blood Blueswere greeted with gentle sounds of African singing and guitar as they filtered through the Loft Theatre with their complimentary cocktail, a “Gin Jack Shack Attack”, featured later in the play.

The music, performed live on stage by Malawian-born musician David Marama, wafted over the set: a 1990s battered, no-frills medical office with clinical lighting, white floor, and the bare office essentials.

Rock of Ages rocked into Brisbane last night and judging from the audience response it’s a genuine bonafide hit! Pedalling 80s kitsch, with a catalogue of the greatest rock hits of the 80s, the stage was awash with smoke bombs, lycra and glitter.