Set in the magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens, The Australian Shakespeare Company’s The Wind in the Willows is a delightful family production, which never ages. I am pleased to be able to say that three decades on, it continues to resonate – strongly. That is due to a combination of colourful characters, mischief making, engaging songs…
Humour plays a significant part in PLOS’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Led melodically by the beautiful voice of Lana Hutchinson as Dorothy Gale (boy, can she hold a note), the comedic elements come from the scarecrow, tinman and lion. The ageless story is that of young Dorothy, who lives on a Kansas farm…
The 40th anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical CATS is mesmerising – a real crowd pleaser. Superb prowling and dancing, choreographic excellence, an enticing set design and look at me performances are its hallmark. That is not to overlook moggie-appropriate costuming, attractive hair pieces and feline-friendly make-up. And who can forget the hissing…
A spectacular four concert series over 11 days finishes in grand style with three of the doyens of musical theatre treading the boards. I run out of superlatives when I try to describe the phenomenal voices of Marina Prior, Lucy Durack and Simon Gleeson … for they are living treasures. Their depth, range, texture, tone…
Grand performances, stunning staging and striking costuming characterise a musical adaptation of the 1997 animated film of the same name. The story concerns a legend surrounding the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. The tale begins in St Petersburg in 1906 when the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna Romanov (Nancye Hayes) bids farewell to her youngest…
Maestro John Foreman met Casey Donovan, Paulini and Rob Mills on the set of Australian Idol more than 20 years ago. Foreman was the original musical director of the show and all four, including Foreman, have gone on to forge enviable careers. Put them together a couple of decades on and you have the makings…
Song Sung Blue is a warts and all American biographical musical drama based around a couple of divorced tribute artists. When Mike Sardinia (Hugh Jackson) meets Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) in 1987, she is singing Patsy Cline numbers. She gives him the idea of performing as Neil Diamond. Although there is a decade age difference…
Bernadette Robinson brings sizzle to the Melbourne Recital Centre, paying homage to some of the greatest female singers to have played at Carnegie Hall. It is an emotion-charged 85-minute set with the 40-piece Australian Pops Orchestra, conducted by David Young, featuring musical director Mark Jones on piano. Time and again, Robinson extracts maximum value from…
Christmas came early to the Melbourne Recital Centre, as the mellifluous voice of Silvie Paladino filled the concert hall with glad tidings. She was the starring artiste warbling carols to the musical accompaniment of conductor John Foreman’s spectacular Australian Pops Orchestra. It was an afternoon and evening of celebration (there were actually two concerts) after…
If today’s media call is anything to go by, those attending one, several or all of the Australian Pops Orchestra’s concerts over the next fortnight are in for a special treat. Maestro John Foreman AM is looking to spread joy, happiness and optimism over the festive season. He will be doing so with his magnificent…
