Mayhem abounds in Travesties. Set in Zurich in 1917, the play follows a British consular official, Henry Carr, who locks horns with a Dadaist, Tristan Tzara. Dadaism is an artistic movement that started around the First World War, meant to ridicule the meaninglessness of the modern world. Carr also falls for Cecily, a librarian with…
Finding love and keeping the flame flickering is difficult enough for any couple. But the couple in Patricia Cornelius’ Love are two rough-as-guts junkies. Tanya (Tahlee Fereday) fell in love with Annie (Carly Sheppard) the moment she set eyes on her in jail. That love was reciprocated. Annie dreams of a better life with Tanya…
If you’re a Simpsons fan, you’ll find immense enjoyment in Mr Burns, a novel adaptation of the iconic cartoon legacy. Split into three acts, the production gives you almost two hours of snippets from the series, skits and even a superb a cappella song bracket. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world. Clearly the world is…
The world premiere comedy Lottie in the Late Afternoon explores some big questions. What is life all about? Can it be meaningful? What is the path to true happiness? Lottie (Laura Maitland) who works in a craft store, and her 37-year-old husband Ryan (Linc Hasler), are stress-heads. They rarely get time to see each other,…
Sparkling wit, energy and enthusiasm characterise Coral Browne: This F***ing Lady!. Maureen Sherlock’s smart script showcases the colourful life of a girl raised in Melbourne’s West who went on to conquer the West End. Now all but forgotten, BAFTA winner Coral Browne wasn’t one to pull her punches. After Melbourne success, she took all before…
Strong, emotive performances are the hallmark of Venus in Fur. This sado-masochistic two-hander is brim full of verbiage. It’s a play within a play, during which the power shifts. New York theatre director Thomas (Darcy Kent) is trying to cast the lead female role for a play. It’s a play he’s adapted from the 19th century book…
An intense study of vulnerability, heartache, anger and loss, Shrine packs punch. Written by Tim Winton – the only author to have won the Miles Franklin Award four times – the play is directed by Marcel Dorney. 19-year-old Jack Mansfield (Christian Taylor) has died in an early morning car crash. He was in the vehicle with…
Superb vocals and an engaging pop/rock score are the features of The Gathering, a mystery involving a young man who is seemingly forever on the run. His name is Tom (Joel Granger) and one day five years ago, he left behind his foster sister Kelly (Shannen Alyce Quan) and their parents and just walked away…
Two actors – presumably in their 60s – dressed in dark attire, sitting on fixed chairs about five metres apart, one questioning the other and then the roles are reversed … for 100 minutes without interval. No set. The audience on tiered seating on either side. Hardly what you may imagine could lead to riveting…
An intelligent, insightful and emotion-charged work from Melbourne writer and performer Helen Yotis Patterson awaits those who venture to see this world premiere production. Inspired by untold true stories of love, sacrifice and courage, Taxithi opens the door to the Greek migrant experience to Australia in the 1950s and ‘60s. Ten tales are delivered by…
