America is obsessed with mythical superheroes. However, no one can eclipse China’s real-world superhero: Tank Man. He is the lone figure holding two shopping bags in front of a line of Chinese tanks in Tiananmen Square in June 1989. It is an iconic and enduring image celebrating non-violent protest. Lucy Kirkwood, the author of Chimerica,…
Opera Australia’s production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is glorious from the get go. Though there is no real standout number, the musical’s soundtrack is glorious and easy-on-the-ear, filled as it is with recognisable Rogers and Hammerstein melodies and lyrics. Anna Louizos’ set design is superb, featuring slick transitions through scenes the sometimes include animal hand…
By their very nature, human relationships are often messy. The vast majority don’t hit the headlines, but public figures are considered “fair game”. So, it is that 44-year-old television anchor Anna Kay (Caroline Craig) starts trending and is “slut shamed” when she takes up with 27-year-old SAS soldier Lexie (Callan Colley). Their relationship began after she interviewed…
The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme. It is colourful and dynamic, with toe-tapping tunes, smooth moves and a stellar cast, with talent to burn. The show positively sizzles, bringing frenzied acclamation from an appreciative audience. We’re in Baltimore in 1962. Teenager Tracy Turnblad (Carmel Rodrigues) is small of stature…
What’s the truism? Behind every great man there is a woman. There would be few arguments that the greatest writer of all time was William Shakespeare. But what if Shakespeare, who is credited with writing at least 37 plays (and collaborated on several more), didn’t actually do so? I mean, what if it wasn’t Shakespeare who wrote them,…
A superb, creative staging of the Greek tragedy Medea, knowledge of the story before entering the theatre would be a distinct advantage. To say I was excited by what I saw is an understatement. I was ecstatic. Medea: Out of the Mouths of Babes is one of the most remarkable productions I have had the privilege…
A pianist from an ice cream parlour (Connor Dariol), a psychologist (Shamita Siva) and a physicist (El Kiley) get together. No, that’s not the beginning of a bad joke, not even when I tell you the three come from different time zones. The pianist was born 148 years ago … and is, not surprisingly, dead. The psychologist believes…
One of the best ways to communicate a message is through humour. The One, now being performed at The Ensemble, is a fine example of how a good script, professional acting and comedic storytelling can convey the writer’s intended cause effectively. The story of post-war migrant families coming to Australia to build a better life…
A romp, The Importance of Being Jewish showcases playwright Rob Selzer’s insight and wit. For the past 30 years, architect Ray (Joe Tigel) has been happily married to couples’ therapist Rosh (Natalie Shostak). They are social Jews (as distinct from religious), but are delighted their strong-willed lawyer daughter Tara (Romi Freedman) is about to marry a fellow…
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister and Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop – the great hopes for the ALP and the Coalition. At least that is how they are presented in part in the political spoof Gone Girls. It is a cleverly written and performed work that is part fact and large part fiction. They entered…
