Reviews

The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro)

By Mozart. Opera Australia. Director: Sir David McVicar/Andy Morton. Conductor: Anthony Legge Arts Centre Melbourne. November 12 – 28, 2015.

I have been involved with and seen a number of productions of Figaro, and this was one of the best. It started well with a brisk overture with lots of light and shade. On a number of occasions during the opera the orchestra stopped for dramatic effect, and this was always meaningful. A couple of lapses of ensemble were quickly rectified.

Edmund. The Beginning

Written, performed and designed by Brian Lipson. Antechamber Productions. Arts House, North Melbourne. 10 – 22 November 2015.

Early evening sunlight floods a large bare room in North Melbourne’s Arts House – no lighting grid above – it’s as if to say, ‘no artifice here’.  As if.  Brian Lipson enters in an arresting, intriguing costume – half man, half woman, but far more detailed than merely that.  A crown, a school blazer, a string of pearls, half an Elizabethan ruff, a 50s schoolbag, a sword.  One (rather shapely) leg in pantaloons and hose and a black high heel pump, the other in jeans and a heavy work boot.  As the light fades to dim during the

Next to Normal

Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Adam Mitchell. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth. WA. Nov 7 - 22, 2015

Black Swan State Theatre Company's production of Next to Normal would easily take my personal choice for 'Show of the Year'. An outstanding production in every way, Next to Normal is musically excellent, emotionally engaging and practically perfectly performed.

The Marriage of Figaro

By Wolfgang Amadaus Mozart. Rockdale Opera Company. Rockdale Town Hall. Nov 7 – 15, 2015

There was a joyous sound coming from the pit, which made this night a special experience. It was the harpsichord played with a lush and playful intensity as part of a first class orchestra under the baton of Dr Steven Stanke.

You could close your eyes and feel yourself taken back in time to a court in 18thcentury Europe with intrigue and scandal behind every door.

The Popular Mechanicals

By Keith Robinson, William Shakespeare and Tony Taylor. State Theatre Company SA. Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. November 6-28, 2015.

Many theatre companies promote their comedies as ‘hilarious’, but the reality can often struggle to live up to the hype. I discovered something on opening night of State Theatre SA’s TRULY hilarious production of The Popular Mechanicals - it’s possible to laugh so long and so loud that the back of your head hurts, not to mention your ribs!

Monty Python eat your heart out; what a hoot this show is.

Beer Theatre

By Raimondo Cortese. Butterfly Theatre. Directed by Geoff Britain. The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton (SA). November 10-19, 2015

The Butterfly Theatre’s latest project, Beer Theatre, consists of three two-hander plays, of around half an hour each, presented in the intimate setting of The Wheatsheaf Hotel.  Though each of the plays are focused on very different characters, they have themes and plot points in common. Each one involves a younger character causing disruption in the life of an older one, with strained attempts at affability giving way to darker conflict as the repressed insecurities of both parties rise to the surface.

Dracula

Little Ones Theatre. Theatreworks, St. Kilda Oct 30 – Nov 14, 2015.

Dracula by Little Ones Theatre Company at Theatreworks in St. Kilda is a visually stunning and physically enchanting piece of theatre.  It’s a romp devoid of text, but relies on the physicality of the actors, a beautiful design, a mesmerising soundscape and the collaboration of some of Melbourne’s best talent.

The Chat

La Boite Indie. Conceived by James Brennan. The Studio, Brisbane's La Boite. 4-14 November, 2015

This show is an attempt to open-up elements of the state criminal justice system to the public using real life ex-offenders and prison staff through the medium of theatre while using actors with a gift for improvisation. It's rather like a television discussion programme meeting Theatresports and also includes invited audience participation.

The Motion of Light in Water

La Boite Indie. Created by Elbow Room. Director: Marcel Dorney. Roundhouse Theatre, Brisbane. 4-21 November, 2015

Using the title of established sci-fi writer Samuel R. Delaney's memoirs, this play is the result of ideas thrown around in a collective designed to bring to the stage experiences taken from his personal life, including his wife writer Marilyn Hacker, and segments of the futuristic novel that eventually put him in the spotlight, Babel-17. It was not intended to enact out an adaptation of both these stories but moreso provide further insight into his illustrious writing talents using these above two elements as a premise.

Out of the Blue

Promise Productions (SA). November 7, 2015

Brain-child of the super talented Ben Francis, Out of the Blue is a song and dance spectacular that both delights and uplifts. Promise Productions is a new company designed to promote and give opportunity to young performers, whilst raising money and contributing to many charities. Beyond Blue is a charity formed to better educate people and provide support on depression, anxiety and mental illness. A worthy charity, I am sure you will agree, and the one to benefit from Out of the Blue.

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