Reviews

Brisbane’s iconic Twelfth Night Theatre, with its storied history and rare independence as a privately owned venue, has undergone a dazzling transformation for this naughty-but-nice cabaret of fun and frivolity. Inspired by the hedonistic 1920s and the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Gatsby, the theatre is re-imagined as the millionaire’s own nightclub, a space where parties roar on in defiance of despair.

Photographer William Yang has been an observer, social chronicler and storyteller for most of his life. To celebrate his 80th year of examining his place on our planet, William is taking his photographs on the road. Milestone is more than a slide show: it is a celebration of William’s philosophy that “life is to be enjoyed!” But, as expected for someone who has lived such a full life, there are many sadnesses as well as life-affirming moments along the way.

It’s the Friday before a long weekend at aged-care facility Autumn Dale Village.  Admin – and a lot more – Pia (Melanie Madrigali) is dealing with phone calls, emails, rosters, a bullying superior, her ex-husband, and a fractious 13-year-old daughter.  She does all that while staying available and sympathetic to residents dementia sufferer Lauren (Rosemary Johns) and ever-anxious, garrulous Colleen (Jane Clifton).  If the play sounds potentially close to sit-com, Irene Korsten’s day-in-the-life play does veer close to that, but genuine, angry conflict,

Chicago – a 1920s story of jazz, murder and media – premiered on Broadway 50 years ago and while a few of the ideas may have dated, its musical brilliance has lost nothing in that half-century. This production might be the ‘Teen’ edition but Musical Theatre Crew’s Chicago doesn’t shy away from musical and choreographic challenges of the full version, and Crew’s large cast work hard under Leiz Moore’s direction.