Like many of William Shakespeare’s history plays, Julius Caesar is more talk than action. That’s despite the violence at core of its exploration of power, warfare and human nature. In Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble’s production, the angry words of its politics are captured from the outset. Its players charge in line across the stage towards the…
The all-ages spectacular of Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA promises an imaginary flight to Mexico. And from the moment our traveller clown (Eric Koller) parachutes falls to its marigold field Earth, it’s clear we are in for quite the impressive journey. From his first encounter with a colourful hummingbird to final high-flying acrobatics, the combination of…
The title LIMBO – The Return may imply more of the same sort of circus stuff as seen in previous Strut & Fret works. However, the reality is far from it with this 100-minute show. Indeed, having toured 17 countries, the original award-winning LIMBO has come back, re-imagined and more jaw-dropping than ever, full of…
As a pre-show soundtrack reminds us, love is a drug, a crazy little thing and the thing of which sweet dreams are made. It is also very much all around courtesy of Trent Dalton’s Love Stories, appearing in its world premiere as part of the 2024 Brisbane Festival. The stage adaption of popular author Trent…
Jean Paul Gaultier: Fashion Freak Show is presented by Brisbane Festival, Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, South Bank Corporation in Association with TS3, RMG Productions, and Avex Entertainment, which is a list befitting a show of immense scale and entertainment. The ambitious work, which was first performed at the iconic Parisian cabaret…
It is a truth universally acknowledged that there is often little persuasion needed for a literary afternoon of Pimm’s or prosecco. In the case of Woodward Productions’ Plied and Prejudice, it’s literature and laughs aplenty as it takes it audience on a raucous adults-only parody romp through Jane Austen’s beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. It’s…
Queensland Theatre’s Cost of Living comes with a number of audience warnings, including as to its occasional strong language and nudity. It is not, however, a confronting work, so much as an honest and tender balance of heart and humour. Indeed, the Australian premiere of Polish-American playwright Martyna Majok’s seemingly unassuming play, is, through Priscilla…
Elvis: A Musical Revolution is an exciting spectacle from its outset as the audience is transitioned from its recreated iconic mononymic neon ’68 Comeback Special signage, through an electrifying ‘Burning Love’ dance number, to the Beal Street and Sun Record Studio days of Elvis’ early 1940s and ‘50s life. The award-winning exploration of pivotal moments…
I’ve often commented to people that it is much more difficult to write a glowing review than something at the other end of the spectrum. This experience makes putting together a review of Ad Astra’s Merrily We Roll Along a daunting task for I fear I may have insufficient superlatives for the company’s first musical…
I’ve now seen A Midsummer Night’s Dream countless times, including at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (#sogood), because despite its comic complications, it is an easy story to follow and thoroughly enjoy. Though things may not quite be as they seem, Shakespeare’s play about true love’s lack of smooth course, is quite simple in…
