Robot Song (NCM), at Theatre Works and touring – musical theatre review
Eleven-year-old Juniper May is different. With artists for parents, she is smart, speaks her mind…
Do Not Pass Go (MTC), at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler – theatre review
What makes life meaningful? Why do we do what we do? These large existential questions are dealt with humorously and poignantly in Jean Tong’s Do Not Pass Go. Flux (Ella Prince) walks into a new job needing the money for a sex change operation … for they are not comfortable in their own skin. There…
Black Light, at Malthouse Theatre – theatre review
White man has a lot to answer for … and Black Light makes it clear just how much in an expressive family drama with comedic elements. A cataclysmic event envelopes the nation. Planes have been grounded. Blackouts are frequent. There is no choice but to wait it out. Outside Darwin, three generations of the one…
Pillion (R) – 107 minutes – movie review
Sexually charged, Pillion is a dramatic comedy that opens the door on relationships between gay men with a dominatrix mentality. Written and directed by Harry Lighton, it is based on the 2020 book Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, which was set in the pre-AIDS era. Colin (Harry Melling) is an introverted, naïve homosexual parking officer…
Cyrano de Bergerac (Artefact Theatre Company), at fortyfivedownstairs – theatre review
The power and punch of Martin Crimp’s 2019 free adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, as superbly realised by Artefact Theatre Company, will stay with me for a long time. It is a sharp, modern version of Edmond Rostand’s classic love triangle, set in 17th century France, with toxic masculinity at its core. Insecurity and self-loathing…
The Great Gatsby, at QPAC Playhouse – theatre review
The Great Gatsby is one of those timeless works that artists want to recreate. The latest rendition a stunning production from a partnership between Queensland Theatre and Shake & Stir Theatre Company. When it was released in 1925, the original F. Scott Fitzgerald novel wasn’t a commercial success. A tragic story set in the Jazz…
Robot Song (NCM), at Theatre Works and touring – musical theatre review
Eleven-year-old Juniper May is different. With artists for parents, she is smart, speaks her mind and loves robots. Her favourite is drawn from a short-lived Japanese animated 1983 television series known as Battletac. A loner, Juni doesn’t fit in with others and doesn’t want to go to school. In the back garden is an old…
The Deadmouse and Peabrain Dreams, at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory – theatre review
Bittersweet, comes this slapstick, but poignant tale of sisters looking to escape from their mundane small-town (Dumfordton, population 340 and falling) existence. To do so, with her school dropout, songwriting little sister Shannon’s (Alana Louise) undying support, 25-year-old Jodi (Sarah Palmieri) has her heart set on winning Simon Cowell’s the X-Factor. Shannon has a history…
The Book of Mormon, at Princess Theatre and touring – musical theatre review
Irreverent, crude, witty, clever and lyrically and vocally adept, The Book of Mormon is an hilarious religious satire. It is a rolled gold hoot from start to finish. Not for naught did it win nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a Grammy and four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. It starts with a quick,…
Mamma Mia! (AG Theatre), at Princess Theatre
A star is born. Such is the impact of sweet-voiced Belle Parkinson in the lead role in the up-tempo musical inspired by many of ABBA’s hit songs. From her first melodic note, she is utterly captivating as the bright and breezy Sophie Sheridan, who – on the cusp of her wedding day – yearns to…
Cluedo, at Comedy Theatre and touring – theatre review
It is 1949 and on a dark and stormy night they have gathered at Boddy Manor in New England. They are being blackmailed, so each has a motive to commit murder. Their mysterious blackmailer, Mr Boddy (Joshua Monaghan), who will reveal himself, has orchestrated it so that once inside they cannot leave. All guests are…
