American Psycho: A Musical Thriller (See You Sunday), at Chapel Off Chapel – musical theatre review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A powerhouse performance by Conor Beaumont as serial killer Patrick Bateman leads the way in…
Tenzing (PG) – 125 minutes – movie review
The narrative feature Tenzing charts the emotional background to the historic ascent of Mount Everest by Nepalese-Indian Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on 29th May, 1953. Standing beside him on the summit – New Zealander Edmund Hillary. Based on true events, aspects have been dramatised and amalgam characters created. The film positions Norgay (Genden Phuntsok as an…
Timon of Athens (Th’Ungarded Duncan), at Theatre Works – theatre review
Life is a power game. Power rests with the wealthy. The more wealth, the greater the power. With the human condition, I dare say it has always been so. So, what would happen if the ultra-wealthy gave away their riches and became impoverished? Would their “friends”, who they showered with largesse, reciprocate or abandon them?…
Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review
Craig McLachlan makes a triumphant return to the big stage in a mad-capped cabaret show in the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. As the star attraction, one should never forget what a natural and talented performer he is. McLachlan sings up a storm and acts up beautifully. He leans heavily (and commendably) into…
American Psycho: A Musical Thriller (See You Sunday), at Chapel Off Chapel – musical theatre review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A powerhouse performance by Conor Beaumont as serial killer Patrick Bateman leads the way in this slick production of American Psycho: A Musical Thriller. Bateman only feels truly alive when he is taking an axe, meat cleaver, drill, nail gun, chain saw or long barrelled gun to his hapless victims. This sick puppy’s mantra is…
Crapbox (Tandango Productions), at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory – theatre review
Many years ago, in one of my written outlets, I opined that everyone has a story to tell as long as you can prize it out of them. Having witnessed four short plays of differing lengths from award-winning playwright Kevin Nemeth, I am delighted to say he has crafted the insightful from the everyday. He…
Primetime (MA) – 110 minutes – movie review
When does television cross the line? That is the central question raised in the hallucinogenic first narrative feature for acclaimed documentary filmmaker Lance Oppenheimer. The focus is on the real life “gotcha” NBC TV reality program To Catch A Predator, which ran from November 2004 to December 2007. Its host was ambitious Chris Hansen, a…
Before I Forget (MTC), at Arts Centre Melbourne – theatre review
Born in south-east Queensland and growing up in Brisbane, Jeanie Bell was a highly respected linguist. She made a substantial contribution to the preservation of Indigenous Australian languages, before passing away in 2024, aged 75. With assistance from Amanda Seed, Ms Bell compiled the Dictionary of the Gubbi-Gubbi and Butchulla languages. She was Badtjala/Butchulla/Jagera theatre…
Pressure (M) – 101 minutes – movie review
The weather. We talk about it frequently. “Gorgeous day.” “Isn’t it blowy.” “It’s raining cats and dogs.” And on it goes. In movie terms, we often associate it with Hollywood blockbusters – think Titanic (1997), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Twister (1996) and the like. But now, along comes a tense, dramatic war film in which…
Wild Horse Nine (MA) – 116 minutes – movie review
Martin McDonagh makes extraordinary films (In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Banshees of Inisherin), and this one is no exception. The darkly comedic, political satire Wild Horse Nine has Oscar nominations written all over it. In the first instance, I speak of the writing and direction, but then there is a series of…
La Ronde (Strut & Fret) at Melbourne Spiegel Haus – cabaret review
International circus and cabaret artistry par excellence is the treat that awaits you in the risqué 18+ show La Ronde. To a decidedly up-tempo beat, seven fine exponents of their craft strut their stuff on and around a small, circular, mirrored stage. Being theatre in the round, everything is up close and personal. It starts…
