Reviews

A Chorus Line

Created by Michael Bennett, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre (QAEMT), Conservatorium Theatre, Brisbane. 31 July to 9 August 2025

When a group of New York dancers gathered at midnight to talk about work and record their stories for choreographer Michael Bennett, a celebration of the resulting show, A Chorus Line, 50 years later must have been the last thing on their minds. But here we are, many awards, record-breaking performances later, and A Chorus Line is 50 this year. And one of this award-winning musical’s many achievements was to create a more robust supply of triple-threat performers. As Michael Bennett asserted: “Broadway dancers are now singers and actors”.

Kimberley Akimbo

Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori. Presented by Melbourne Theatre Company. Directed by Mitchell Butel, musical direction by Kym Purling. Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank. 26 July - 30 August 2025.

Kimberley Akimbo is based on the play by David Lindsay-Abaire that tells the story of a teenager suffering from a disease that causes her to age four and a half times as fast as normal. It is hard to imagine how such a poignant story could be upbeat, but the music, song and dance in this delightful musical does more than merely tug at the heart strings. Kimberly Levaco (Marina Prior) develops a bond with Seth (Darcy Wain) and they are brought together as misfits. The story is funny, witty and at times subversive. 

Broadway Bound

By Neil Simon, Directed by Carla Moore. The Theatre on Chester, Epping, NSW. 1 – 23 August, 2025

Neil Simon wrote some of my favourite plays.  Brilliant writing, engaging, relatable stories with utterly identifiable characters typify the works of one of America’s greatest, and most bankable playwrights.

Broadway Bound, the final of the Simon trilogy which started with Brighton Beach Memoirs and continued with Biloxi Blues, can now take its rightful place amongst the elite list of Simon classics I treasure.

Ms Julie Gabler: Trapped

By Kathleen Mary Fallon. Explosives Factory, Theatre Works. 30 July – 9 August 2025

Here is a powerful, engrossing play in which a gripping tension is maintained to the very end.  Audiences will recognise elements of Strindberg and Ibsen plays in the title – and then, in the spine of the show itself, Shakespeare’s Othello.  But the references - indeed quotations - are there to be questioned and subverted.  And as for the extra word in the title ‘Trapped’, the play questions how much its characters – and us – are trapped inside the structures and expectations represented by these literary sources.  Sources whi

Marrow

By Australian Dance Theatre. Concept and direction by Daniel Riley. Choreography by Daniel Riley with ADT’s Company Artists. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre. 31 July – 1 August 2025 and touring

Marrow is a choreographed scream of defiance and demand for discussion. The dance draws strongly from the movements of nature, in wind, on tides, striding birds, sea creatures and animals, using surreal gestures which are far more than mimicry. As a Wiradjuri man from Western NSW, ADT’s current director Daniel Riley brings his knowledge of and respect for First Nations traditions. His work here incorporates the motivations and passions of the company dancers, making the piece deeply personal and honest.

Press Play

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Festival Theatre, Festival Centre Adelaide. Aug 2, 2025

Gaming has had a bad rap of late in the media with concerns of young people spending a large amount of time ‘glued’ to their screens or being in danger of being groomed by unscrupulous players.

The Hundred and One Dalmatians

By Dodie Smith adapted by Glynn Robins. Stray Cats Theatre. Directed by Karen Francis. The Fish Trap Theatre, Mandurah, WA. Jul 24-27, 2025

Stray Cats Theatre’s production of The Hundred and One Dalmatians was positively received by capacity crowds throughout its short run in Mandurah Performing Arts Centre’s smaller theatre.

Simply staged with a rear platform and carry-on set pieces, it was still a very visual show due to the creativity of the costumes - concepts by Karen Francis and Georgia Turner.

The Watsons

By Laura Wade, based on the unfinished novel by Jane Austen. University of Adelaide Theatre Guild. The Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. August 1- 10, 2025

The Watsons, The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild’s latest play is a wonderful night at the theatre. Intentionally not being aware of the plot line, I was carried along with the exuberance and joy of this piece. It is masterfully directed by Matthew Chapman and I was hugely surprised and delighted by the plot twist mid-play.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers

Based on the novel by Max Porter. Adapted for the stage by Simon Phillips, Nick Schlieper & Toby Schmitz. Co-produced by Belvoir Stret Theatre and Andrew Henry Presents. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir Street. Jul 26 – Aug 24, 2025

Grief, I often think at funerals, can at least be tolerated as a homage to love, of love now lost but relished. For the introverted widower in Max Porter’s novella, here adapted to the Belvoir stage, this grief is an agony, a total out-of-body dislocation of self. 

Songs For A New World

By Jason Robert Brown. ACTiv Elite Theatre Co. Director: Ethan Malacaria. Musical Director: Nikolas Zielinski. The Loading Dock Theatre - Qtopia, Sydney. July 25 - August 2, 2025.

The end of Act One of Jason Robert Brown's now quite legendary song cycle concludes with the words "you don't know me, but you will"—somewhat rather prophetic int the sense of the young performers from all over the world whose careers have been shaped and changed by performing in this glorious night of deeply challenging and engaging material. I would not be surprised if all of the six performers in this Sydney version of the show (there is a Melbourne version about to open as well) find career success in the next few years.

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