Reviews

Director Peita Collard chose to frame her production of M. The Scottish Play in a Japanese J-Horror style due to her extensive experience with and love of all things Japanese. Initially a surprising choice, it swiftly became clear that this was a very logical and entertaining lens through which to view this classic text.

The set was comprised of a number of large bamboo-painted panels on wheels that allowed them to be moved to obscure or reveal actions and to change of locations.

Sitting in the front row allows one to see everything, every detail or lack thereof. Tusk Tusk opened with promise but then within minutes lost me. I was in a constant state of wondering. Why are the characters doing this? Who is this person? I don’t know, but for some reason, this play just didn’t work for me. I’m putting it down to the writing.

Do Not Go Gentle... is a delicately wrought and simply staged work that, all at once, evolves and develops as it peels and unravels. It addresses the often overlooked depth of personality and richness of experience embodied by the aged. The text’s blurring realities, of dreams, experience, desires and heartaches, are managed skilfully by a masterful creative crew, through an amalgam of realism and magic realism.

Deepblue promised to look like an orchestra, act like a band, feel like a movie. But it understated.

Enriching every piece were surprisingly well-synchronised visuals. And throughout moved the musicians: rarely in traditional poses, usually afoot, often dancing steps difficult even without an instrument occupying both hands. Deepblue capably sustained Barber's Adagio at a pace that treated the audience's sonic palate to the aural equivalent of golden syrup, butter, and wild blackberry.