Reviews

In this quite brilliant reinterpretation, Chaika Theatre’s production completely reframes the morality of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, highlighting how Shakespeare’s language and depiction of political motivation transcends his intention. Director Caitlin Baker uses potent modern symbols extremely sparingly, just enough to suggest a different interpretation but not so much as to completely overwhelm. By placing Caesar in Trump’s trademark blue suit and red tie, Baker suggests Caesar is in a position a little like Trump.

A clue to Martin Crimp’s post-structuralist, no-action Absurdist play is that he finished Fewer Emergencies the day before the 9/11 attack in 2001. Crimp arguably shows how this huge fissure continued to shatter our world, our communities and our lives.

Staged by The Company at the Old Fitz, the play is really three separate but related playlets. Three nameless characters each tell a confronting story as the other two chip in with questions and suggestions, describing the reality they all watch in the middle distance … yet also seeming to create it.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose! The more things change …

Have we changed so little since 1987 that this play written 38 years ago still rings surprisingly true in so many ways?  So much so that young people in the audience relate to the characters and social comment and marvel at the playwright’s “foresight”!

Presented by QPAC, this Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company production of Jane Harrison’s award-winning The Visitors is a must-see piece of theatre. And it is the perfect choice to kick off QPAC’s annual Clancestry First Nations Festival as a piece that celebrates indigenous connection to country while raising deep questions about our past in a drama that overflows with humour and heart.