Reviews

Adrift

By Counterpilot. Presented by Metro Arts. New Benner Theatre. Brisbane, 9 to 19 November 2022

Adrift is a great introduction to interactive theatre. Developed by Company in Residence, Counterpilot, the award-winning creators in the immersive space, the aim is to put the audience at the centre of the performance experience. And Adrift certainly succeeds at that, but in a non-threatening and enjoyable way. For a start, you are immersed in the dark with a fabulous lighting design to tune you in to your imaginative powers.

Chase Me, Comrade

By Ray Cooney. The Guild Theatre Rockdale. Nov 11 – Dec 10, 2022

The Guild Theatre Rockdale's production of Ray Cooney's Chase Me, Comrade had the audience laughing from the moment it started to the end. The energy and timing was right on the mark throughout the play with usage of doors, windows, stairs and walkway perfectly choreographed and directed by Glenda Kenyon.

Grease - The Musical

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey (additional songs by John Farrar and Barry Gibb). Spotlight Theatrical Company, Gold Coast. Directed Joshua McCann-Thomson. 11th November – 10th December, 2022.

WOW! Spotlight has another well-deserved smash hit on its hands, and an already sold out season of Grease. That makes anything I say superfluous, but I’m going to say it anyway because this stunning community theatre company deserves buckets of accolades for the consistency of its commitment to pure entertainment.

There can’t be anyone on the planet who hasn’t seen the movie Grease, but seeing it on stage is a totally different experience.

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business

By Elizabeth Coleman. Hunters Hill Theatre Company. Directed by Vivien Wood. Club Ryde. 11 – 27 November, 2022

Elizabeth Coleman uses the occasion of a major commitment – namely marriage – to present a number of moral dilemmas. Is it important to tell the truth? Is love more important than fidelity? Is the cost and glamour of a wedding more important than integrity?

Lend Me a Tenor

By Ken Ludwig. Glenbrook Players, NSW. Nov 11 – 19, 2022

Glenbrook Theatre is one of the loveliest little theatres to visit. It is tucked away at the foot of the mountains in a vintage theatre, adorned with photographs from the golden era of Hollywood and fairy lights on entry. You can even get a choc top and a cuppa to take into the show.

Lend Me a Tenor is a great first offering from director Kane Baltetsch; he finds all the comedy in this farce using the appropriate amount of buffoonery and horseplay. 

The Boy Friend

By Sandy Wilson. Richmond Payers. Richmond School of Arts, West Market St, Richmond. November 12, 19 and 26, 2022

The charming roaring 20’s musical presented by Richmond Players invites the audience on a trip to the Riviera and the audience happily accept. At an almost sold out matinee in the Richmond School of Arts there was clapping and singing along to a number of familiar jazzy tunes including “Won’t you to Charleston with me” and “I Could Be Happy With You”. 

And Then There Were None

By Agatha Christie. New Farm Nash Theatre, Brisbane. Directed by Sharon White. Nov 11 to Dec 3.

Based on one of her novels, this play written by Agatha Christie was first performed in 1943. It has previously been known by the names Ten Little Niggers and then Ten Little Indians before reaching this far more suitable title.  It follows the book for the most part, except for the ending, in telling how eight guests are invited to join the married couple who look after this opulent house on a remote island off the coast of Devon.

Sunshine Super Girl

Written & directed by Andrea James. A Performing Lines Production. Melbourne Theatre Company. Southbank, The Sumner. 9 November - 14 December 2022

Ella Ferris (a Taribelang woman) is Wiradjuri woman Evonne Goolagong - from the three year old Griffith girl in a tin shanty with a dirt floor, to the top woman tennis player in the world - and wife and mother.  Ella Ferris is at the sparkling centre of Sunshine Super Girl  - and she holds the show together.  She looks like an athlete, she’s charming and she has the lithe grace of a dancer.  Evonne’s sweet sense of wonder when she flies in a plane for the first time, and her undiluted joy when she wins, never leaves her, but it is undergirde

Oil

By Ella Hickson. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Adam Mitchell. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Nov 5-27, 2022

Black Swan State Theatre Company’s Oil is a beautifully presented production, acted with strength and vitality. It tells a fascinating story.

Curtains

By Kander and Ebb. Koorliny Arts Centre. Directed by Kimberley Shaw. Koorliny Arts Centre. 4 November - 19 November, 2022.

From the creative minds behind Chicago and Cabaret, Kander and Ebb's Curtains is, at its core, a celebration of the stage, made by theatre makers for theatre makers.

Koorliny Arts Centre's latest production of the musical comedy whodunnit highlights exactly that, producing a whirlwind performance that pays homage to all the best theatrical tropes, on and off the stage.

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