Reviews

Jerusalem

By Jez Butterworth. New Theatre, Newtown (NSW). August 13 – September 14, 2013.

Nicholas Eadie, as Rooster Byron, leads a very large and energetic cast in Helen Tonkin’s deft production of this play she describes as ‘a wildly original hymn to eccentricity … a lament about the erosion of country life, in part a rebuff to the antiseptic modern world’.’

Tequila Mockingbird

By Nelle Lee et al. Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Shake & Stir’s Première Production. Cremorne Theatre. 21 Aug – 7 Sept, 2013

Shake and Stir do it again – a fifth consecutive popular hit!

Inspired by Harper Lee’s classic novel, the six cast members and experienced director of new works, Michael Futcher, workshopped and rehearsed Nelle Lee’s draft script.

Babyteeth

By Rita Kalnejais, State Theatre Company of SA. Aug 16 – Sep 7, 2013

Babyteeth was a 2010 work commissioned by Belvoir and young Australian playwright Rita Kalnejais’ work ran to mixed reviews. The play, about a young teenage girl with terminal cancer, is now being staged in Adelaide under the direction of Brink Productions’ artistic director, Chris Drummond.

Indian Embrace

By Carol Dance. Nautanki Theatre. Riverside Theatre, Parramatta (NSW). Aug 21 – 25, 2013.

Indian Embrace is a complex mixture of messages about family, friends and cross-cultural relationships. There are some moments that are very moving and some that are very funny, and some characters that are well drawn and sensitively portrayed. But because the play tries to comment on so many aspects of relationships and culture, the resolution of the many complications makes the second act a little too long and much too laboured.

The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer

Writer and performer: Tim Watts. Melbourne Arts Centre, State Theatre Rehearsal Room. Saturday August 14 – 18, 2013

The production tells Alvin’s simple story of loss and hope. He is portrayed variously by Tim Watts himself, a puppet he manages formed by a glove and fishing float and an animated figure projected on a circular screen.

My eight year old companion was delighted by the cleverness of how the swaps between each of these was managed. In question time at the end she asked for details of timing and how it was done and was very satisfied with the explanation.

Singin’ in the Rain.

(Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film). Screenplay by Comden and Green. Songs by Brown and Freed. The Production Company Director: Gary Young. Musical Director: John Foreman. Costume Designer: Kim Bishop. State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne. Aug 21 – 25, 2013.

Melbourne has a healthy appetite for old time musicals. In a jammed packed State Theatre punters were all after the same thing - a night of quality entertainment and, for some, a chance to reminisce. Singin’ in the Rain tickets sales have been so good an extra show is scheduled.

In a populist move, impressive dance choreography borrows heavily from the film. And why not?  Some moves are downright iconic: Rohan Browne (Don Lockwood) splashes in puddles, there’s the couch walkover in Good Morning, and comic antics in Make Em Laugh.

Kid Stakes

Written by Ray Lawler. Directed by Christine Grant. The Basin Theatre Group. Aug 16th- Sept 8th, 2013.

No-one would deny that Lawler’s Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll is an iconic Australian play, but the prequel, Kid Stakes, written twenty years later, is not in the same league. In fact, it’s so mundane that it seems like an episode of a 1937 soapie. Therein lies the problem for TBTG, who have given me so many hours of enjoyment. Christine Grant is a very good director, I know that from previous offerings, yet she has chosen a very “middle of the road” – and thus uninspiring – approach to Lawler’s character and text.

The Comedy of Errors

Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Imara Savage. Bell Shakespeare Fairfax Studio. Arts Centre Melbourne from Aug 20 to 31, 2013 and touring until December 7.

Most of we drama lovers are so in awe of William Shakespeare that we tend to forget that not every play is a masterpiece. Indeed, some of them are downright clunky, full of plot holes, awful exposition and are as subtle as an episode of “Mrs Brown’s Boys”.  The Comedy of Errors is one such play, written early in Will’s career as a crowdpleaser for the masses. The plot may have been new 500 years ago, but now the story of mistaken identity and separated twins, of coincidence and convenience, is just overworked.

How to Survive an Earthquake.

Written by Christine Croyden. Directed by Glenda Linscott. Presented by Melbourne Writers’ Theatre. La Mama Courthouse (Vic). Until September 1, 2013.

On the surface, Ms Croyden’s reunion drama about two sisters Stephanie (Jessica Gerger) and Jane (Sarah Plummer) reuniting on the eve of their mother’s funeral wears its dark and damaged heart immovably on its sleeve. There is the typical point-scoring banter about who did what to whom and how much more difficult life has been for one more so than the other.

Seminar

By Theresa Rebeck. Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Director: Anna Crawford. 21 August – 14 September, 2013

Here’s a fine, sparky 2011 Broadway play that has slipped through the STC/MTC net and been snaffled by an alert Ensemble programming team. Theresa Rebeck’s fizzing dialogue keeps the audience alert throughout a 100-minute discussion on writers and the modern novel.

Set and direction are first rate, and the excellent 5-actor ensemble shows the Ensemble at its best. Up very close and personal, these actors give tense, truthful, often very funny performances, revelling in the crisp New York exchanges, plot twists and character surprises.

 

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