Reviews

Murray Music and Drama Club’s atmosphere is always welcoming and warm, and seated at tables, one might almost be at the Royal Ball, or the wedding of Cinderella and her Prince.

In the intimate space of Brisbane Powerhouse, Véronique Serret performed her entire ARIA-nominated solo album, Migrating Bird, to an enthralled audience. She lovingly described each track on the classical-contemporary album as being part of ‘side A and side B’ – or thematically as ‘earth’ and ‘water’ – in a way that songs are perhaps not curated any more. I enjoyed Véronique’s introductions and the insight into her creative process.

Of Shakespeare's many plays, Macbeth is one of the best known and here there is a marked change in the understanding of the many events that happened in the play. Basically, the change is to make the female members of the story the centre of attention instead of just being fringe dwellers. The sequence of events  has not really changed - the killing of Duncan, Banquo and Lady Macduff with her family - but the reasoning and causes of these happenings is moved to Lady Macbeth and her female friends.

Short and sweet, easy to understand, funny, with a woman who thrives in a battle of affection with her boss.

It’s not often you can say that about an opera, but that is exactly what Maid Made Boss, sung in Italian with English sub-titles, delivered for Pinchgut in its latest production.

The miniature opera company chose a piece first performed in Naples in 1733 for two performances and recorded it for good measure for a future broadcast by ABC Classic FM.