Reviews

Bridezilla

Written by Danielle Fynn, with music by Tim Newhouse. Fringe World. Directed by Danielle Fynn. The Sewing Room, Wolf Lane, Perth. Feb 2-5, 2022

Bridezilla is a World Premiere musical playing for a very short run as part of Fringe World, at the Sewing Room. Proving very popular, this cheesy but fun little bop of a musical is simply good fun and features a stellar cast.

Dirt

By Angus Cameron. Fringe World. Directed by Bronwen Coleman. Home Economics, The Girls School. Jan 28-Feb 5, 2022

Dirt, presented by Patrick Livesey for Fringe World, is a moving, passionate, and extremely powerful piece of drama, that is one of the most compelling pieces of theatre that you will see at Fringe World (or at any time this year).

Godz

By Head First Acrobats. Fringe World. The Main Hall, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Feb 1-13, 2022

Godz takes us through the world of Ancient Greek Mythology. Audiences join Gods Hercules, Dionysus, Cupid and Apollo to party on Mount Olympus and take a trip to the Underworld in an excuse to show off some pretty amazing acrobatics.

The B Plot Girls

By Angela Leta Kaye and Rachel Foucar. Umbrella Works / Fringe World. Home Economics, The Girls School, East Perth. Jan 25-Feb 13, 2022

In Umbrella Works' The B Plot Girls, Bridget is a sweet housewife with mannerisms that would put the Stepford Wives to shame. Jen is a determined journalist struggling in a man’s world. They are both ‘B plot’ characters in a television series about to be canned. As we view the series, we also experience the ads for sponsors that are keeping this struggling series afloat, and we go to some strange and satanic places.

Freeze

By Matthew Arnold, Samuel Ireland and Max Gipson. Songbird Theatre Company. Fringe World. Directed by Matthew Arnold. Biology, The Girls School, East Perth, WA. Feb 1-6, 2022

Freeze, the debut performance from Songbird Theatre Company and augers well for a bright future for the fledgeling organisation, which aims to tell “captivating, poignant and visually striking stories”. This production certainly achieves those aims.

Goddesses

Created by Bree Kent and presented by the Chronicles of Olympus and Breeze Entertainment. Meat Market – The Cobblestone Pavilion, 3 Blackwood St. North Melbourne, 3-6 February 2022.

Goddesses is a theatrical extravaganza of music, song, dance and circus artistry. This production makes incredibly inventive use of the Pavilion and creates a large-scale spectacular show. The atmosphere is created from the get-go with a red-carpet entrance for the audience. The anticipation for the show is made quite palpable as many are photographed and interviewed before entering the auditorium. 

The End of Winter

By Noelle Janaczewska. Siren Theatre Co. SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross. February 2 – 12, 2022

Summer may seem to define us in Australia, but Noelle Janaczewska’s new play is a moving, even joyous paean to all things wintry. But it comes with a mournful bite: climate change will make her winter a mere memory.

You and Me

By Dan Rebellato. Directed by Sarah McNeill. Lit Live / Fringe World. ACES Dress Circle Bar at His Majesty’s Theatre, Hay St, Perth. Jan 31- Feb 5, 2021

Lit Live’s You and Me is a wonderful blend of domestic drama and psychological thriller, expertly performed. Originally written as a BBC radio play, it plays beautifully on stage.

At What Cost?

By Nathan Maynard. Belvoir Street Theatre. January 29 – February 20, 2022

The wrenching backstory to Nathan Maynard’s new play is the genocide and exile of so many Tasmanian Aboriginals. 

It certainly haunts Palawa man Boyd (Luke Carroll), but for now he’s happy, on country, a leader to his people, and a rock to his irrepressible, pregnant wife (Sandy Greenwood). 

An Evening with Anthony Warlow

Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Vanessa Scammell. Guests: Christopher Lawrence (ABC Classic FM) & Amanda Lea Le Vergne (Vocal). Concert Hall, QPAC. 28/29 January 2022

Everything was alright with the world (despite wearing masks), as we sat back and listened to the mellifluous tones of Anthony Warlow doing what he does best – sing show songs.