Life’s struggle from childhood is captured in captivating form in Botis Seva’s Olivier Award-winning dance theatre production BLKDOG. Extraordinarily fluid movement, a pulsating original score from Torben Lars Sylvest and Tom Visser’s striking lighting design coalesce and enthral. Dimly lit throughout, with strategic spot lighting highlighting one, two or all the seven performers, the music…
A portent of doom hangs over Melbourne Opera’s production of Samson & Delilah. It is largely dark and foreboding (lighting design is by Harry Cope), a pointed reference to the story that underpins it. The tale is that of strong man Samson, whose strength is a gift from God. Enslaved Hebrews are praying for deliverance…
Queensland Theatre has played it safe with the original two-person cast of Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine back for a re-run of David Williamson’s 2010 hit play, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica. First staged at the Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre, the production returns with original director Mark Kilmurry, designer Veronique Bennett and composer and sound designer…
My approach to reviewing is to enter a theatre, cinema or gallery knowing nothing about what I am about to see and hear. That means not reading a synopsis or any commentary about the work because I believe it needs to inform me or “speak to me” on its own merits. Ninety-nine times out of…
Who has the right to tell you how and when to give birth? Of course, it is a deeply personal issue, but one that, over generations, has been dictated by rules and regulations. Further, familial influences can be enormous. What happens if you push back … if you want to do things your own way?…
Max Gillies is a living treasure who brings frustration, despair and humour to three fine pieces involving men at the tail end of their lives. In turn, they are excerpts from A Stretch of the Imagination by Jack Hibberd, Samuel Beckett’s Eh Joe and On the Harmfulness of Tobacco by Anton Chekov. In the first,…
It is the summer of 1967. Young Australians are being drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Back home, life continues. Tom (Patrick Leong) and Meg (Grace Jackson) are in a high school production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tom takes a fancy to Meg and engages her in awkward conversation. When their respective…
A spirited, colourful and joyful celebration of the King of Pop, Taalib York recaptures the music and the moves that made Michael Jackson such a mighty performer. With impressive attention to detail and an electrifying vibe, he and a four strong tribute band, along with six dancers, deliver big time. All the hits are there…
Society has grown up with the expectation that women will get married to men and have children. The men will go to work, while the women will tend to the chores around the home as they care for the kids. It speaks volumes about the heteropatriarchal model on which traditional society has been modelled. But…
I know the 2025 Green Room Awards for the best of the best of Melbourne theatre have just been announced, but here is the early contender to scoop the pool in 2026. The Birds is a blindingly creative immersive experience, which leaves an indelible impression. A brilliant performer in Paula Arundell is on stage on…
