Reviews

Legally Blonde

Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Book by Heather Hach. Murray Bridge Players and Singers. Murray Bridge Town Hall, Murray Bridge. May 12 – 27, 2023

The Murray Bridge Town Hall has been transformed into a plethora of pink love for their latest production, Legally Blonde. It is a very welcoming venue and I instantly felt at home and ready to share Elle Wood’s adventures.

My Brilliant Career

By Miles Franklin, adapted by Christine Davey. Directed by Jane Sherwood. Garrick Theatre, Meadow St Guildford, WA. May 4-20, 2023

My Brilliant Career, director Jane Sherwood’s first show at Garrick, is an unusual and stylised presentation of the classic Australian novel, with narration by a Greek style chorus, led by a character representing the author Stella (Miles Franklin).

Ada and the Engine

By Lauren Gunderson. Glenbrook Players, NSW. May 12 – 20, 2023

Ada and the Engine is a period drama set at the dawn of the British Industrial Revolution centring around historical figure Ada Lovelace (Rebecca Dean). Lovelace is described as the first computer programmer who, along with Charles Babbage (John Forbes), theorised analytic engines capable of taking commands to solve various mathematical questions. Director Heather McGreal and the cast at Glenbrook Players take on the task of making maths compelling, and it is an A+.

Hell is Other People

Conceived and directed by Yvan Karlsson. Monkey Brain. The Blue Room Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, WA. May 9 – 27, 2023

Hell is Other People, presented by The Blue Room Theatre and Monkey Brain, is a wordless play based on the Jean-Paul Sartre play No Exit. Featuring similar characters to its inspiration, this incarnation is set in a waiting room.  

Ulster American

By David Ireland. JH Productions. The Arch – Holden Street Theatres. 10 – 20 May 2023

David Ireland’s award-winning Ulster American, first seen in Adelaide in the 2019 Adelaide Arts Festival, is one of the most brilliant, provocative, and thrilling plays so far in the 21st century. It is partly based on a ye olde joke, the one involving, ‘There was an American, an Englishman, and an Irishman, etc’.

Girls’ Night Out

By Dave Simpson. Directed by Rianna Hartney-Smith. Tugun Theatre Company. 11th-26th May, 2026.

Whilst the Northern end of the Gold Coast boasts a variety of community theatre companies, the Southern end (until you cross the border) is in the capable hands of the Tugun Theatre Company.

Their second offering of the year is Dave Simpson’s Girls’ Night Out. Like most of Simpson’s plays, the sum total is in the title. Don’t expect anything cerebral from the thin plot or awkward multi scene structure … just go for a bloody good Girls’ Night Out.

Satyagraha in Concert

Composed by Philip Glass, libretto by Philip Glass and Constance De Jong. Presented by Opera Australia with Orchestra Victoria. Directed by Andy Morton. Conducted by Tahu Matheson. Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne. 13 May 2023.

Philip Glass’s music style is synonymous with repetition and minimalism. The combination in this hypnotic opera creates a uniquely profound and intense experience. The opera covers the era in which Gandhi spent time in South Africa advancing his non-violent cause against oppressive colonial regimes. The composition captures the incredible rapture and sublime experience of such an important movement, characterised by incredible discipline of the mind.

Catch Me If You Can

Book: Terrence McNally. Music: Marc Shaiman. Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. CLOC Musical Theatre. Director: Richard Perdriau. Musical Director: Tony Toppi. Choreographer: Felicity Bender. The National Theatre, Melbourne. May 12 – 27, 2023.

CLOC is one of Victoria’s largest and most successful non-professional music theatre companies.  Since beginning in 1964, they have staged over 100 productions, many of which have been non-professional premieres, including such iconic shows as Sweeney Todd, Annie, Evita, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera to name a few.  CLOC has retained its status as a producer of first-rate theatre with reasonably priced tickets affordable for all.

HMS Pinafore

By Gilbert and Sullivan. State Opera South Australia. Her Majesty’s Theatre, Grote St Adelaide. May 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2023

It is said that Queen Elizabeth II was not amused by HMS Pinafore. This is surprising considering the opera is virtually an homage to her great, great grandmother. I think Her Majesty would definitely be amused by the State Opera South Australia’s G&S Fest’s latest production of this classic!

This production wisely retains all the G&S traditional touches but adds some new perspectives and blends the two together to produce a classy masterpiece!

Cats

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot. Additional material by Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe. Queensland Musical Theatre. Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane. 12th May - 21st May, 2023

Despite its demands on the cast and orchestra alike, Cats is a great choice for community theatre with its large cast and colourful, spirited display. QMT and the Twelfth Night Theatre have been around for a long time (just viewing the theatre's auditorium is a show in itself with its elaborate display of theatrical history) and the time, energy and support that has gone into this production is a credit to all concerned.