Savage is brutal, devastating, powerful. It features a war of attrition borne of a tyrannical upbringing in New Zealand told in three time-frames over 24 years. Savages is the name given to a patched-up gang started by a couple of cell mates from juvenile detention. But let’s go back a step, Danny – known in…
It’s been a while between drinks (Bad Boys II came out in 2003, five years after the original), but Will Smith and Martin Lawrence still have unmistakable chemistry. With a high-octane script, plenty of action, and no shortage of good humour, Bad Boys for Life is an unexpected winner. Unexpected because I approached it with…
The small, feel-good movie, Red, White & Brass was inspired by events surrounding Tongan locals in New Zealand at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Like most Tongans in New Zealand, Maka (John-Paul Foliaki) is mighty excited that the Rugby World Cup is about to arrive on his doorstep. Ticket sales are soon to open for…
It was such a delight to welcome back to the stage musical theatre royalty in Debra Byrne. It was the mid ‘80s when she appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and a decade later she followed that up with another star turn in the maestro’s Sunset Boulevard. So, it seems only fitting that she should reprise solo…
For the uninitiated, The Good Room’s productions can be difficult to define. The celebrated, independent company founded by Daniel Evans and Amy Ingram creates unique theatre experiences, often from community, crowd-sourced content. Continuing on from its previous Brisbane Festival successes, Let’s be Friends Furever follows a familiar format to pull together a celebration and commemoration…
Scott Hicks, the director and writer of the Academy Award winning movie Shine, had never heard of ‘Guadagnini’ before. I, too, wasn’t familiar with the term until I saw this movie, his latest as both director and cinematographer – a documentary. Hicks found out about Guadagnini in a conversation he had two years ago with…
Coming up to 20 years after Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance officially debuted in Dublin, his company has lost none of its panache. These dancers are nothing short of phenomenal. Of course, now it is a new cast and a new show, even if several of the routines are familiar. The story of good…
I never cease to be amazed at the beauty, and dramatic strength of the Bangarra Dance Theatre with its ingenious blending of traditional indigenous movement and modern dance. Lore was no exception. The energy and skill of the troupe and the creation of storytelling with music and dance, which is done superbly and with great…
A dynamic lead, some stirring and familiar numbers and a moving story with which I wasn’t familiar make Dusty: The Musical well worth attending. Director Jason Langley was one of the actors who workshopped Dusty back in 2004. Written by John-Michael Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow (the team that also wrote Shout! The Legend…
Starting in Georgia in 1909 and spanning 38 years, The Color Purple is based around the struggles of African-American woman Celie Harris (Fantasia Barrino). Celie and her sister Nettie (Halle Bailey), are brought up by their abusive father Alfonso (Deon Cole) since their mother died some time ago. Alfonso marries off Celie to an equally…
