Author: thedialogtheatreblog

A log of student theatre reviews at the University of Melbourne. A dialogue between theatre makers and audiences.
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Little Hall Arts Society dares to ask, “what the hell is a cabaret!?”

REVIEWED BY ELIJAH VALERY SLAVINSKIS EDITED BY MIRANDA WILSON If there was one thing I was meant to take away from Little Hall’s absurdly long-titled cabaret, it was that “if AI says it’s right, then it must be true.” At least I think it was… ME: Hi ChatGPT. CHATGPT: Hey! What’s up? ME: I’m hoping you could help me out with something. CHATGPT: Sure—what do … Continue reading Little Hall Arts Society dares to ask, “what the hell is a cabaret!?”

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SPOTLIGHT ON MUSC’s Macbeth

Read time: 12-19 minutes INTERVIEW BY CHARLOTTE FRASER The Dialog head editor, Charlotte Fraser, recently sat down with Alana Collins, Giulia Magagna and Flynn Lhuede to discuss Melbourne University Shakespeare Company’s upcoming production of Macbeth. This production takes one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays and re-stages it in 1920s New York, bringing the socially relevant messages around greed, power and corruption present in the original … Continue reading SPOTLIGHT ON MUSC’s Macbeth

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Camp chaos rings loud in RMIT Redacts’ Present Laughter

REVIEWED BY KIT WILLS EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER Starting their year off with a bang is RMIT Redacts’ Present Laughter a 1939 comedy by Noël Coward that feels incredibly modern despite its pre-World War II setting. Sitting in the Kaleide Theatre waiting for the show to begin, I could feel the buzz of excited audience members ready for opening night. Immediately setting the tone was … Continue reading Camp chaos rings loud in RMIT Redacts’ Present Laughter

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A Captivating Battle Between the Mind and the Heart: Experimenting with Our Body’s Chemical Reactions in THE EFFECT

REVIEWED BY AUDREY MUELLER EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER We often expect enormous acts to transform our lives, but ultimately it all boils down to the small decisions. In Key Conspirators and Theatre Works’ production of The Effect – an award-winning play by Lucy Pebble – we meet Connie and Tristan, two young volunteers who get involved in an anti-depressant drug trial. They expect 4 weeks … Continue reading A Captivating Battle Between the Mind and the Heart: Experimenting with Our Body’s Chemical Reactions in THE EFFECT

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ICAC’s Godspell found the light

REVIEWED BY ISLA TEAGUE EDITED BY RACHEL THORNBY The Intercollegiate Activities Council (ICAC) kicked off the Melbourne University theatre season with their production of Godspell, directed by Stella Bryne. Written by John-Michael Tebelak and composed by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell filled the Union Theatre with joy, energy and lots of vines from the 16th – 18th of April. Centring on parables from the Gospel of Matthew, … Continue reading ICAC’s Godspell found the light

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Moving Pieces establishing their status as The Goat

REVIEWED BY SUNDAY WILLIAMS-STARKIE EDITED BY MYA HELOU I tried my very hardest to go into watching The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? blind. When I volunteered to review it, I was warned: ‘make sure you’re careful about that one. It’s pretty… full on.’ In my case I decided to carefully stay uninformed. I got the sense the play relied heavily on shock factor, and … Continue reading Moving Pieces establishing their status as The Goat

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Help me, If You’re Hearing This. You’re my only hope.

REVIEWED BY BATRISYIA MD KHAIRIL EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER When entering the Motley Bauhaus, you’ll notice the colourful posters of various comedy festival acts. Keep an eye out for the poster for If You’re Hearing This. It’s the one with a space-suitted Ally Morgan looking out with mild confusion and bewilderment. Don’t let this fool you; Morgan knows exactly what she’s doing. Using only a … Continue reading Help me, If You’re Hearing This. You’re my only hope.

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‘God Can’t Make Me Come’: CONFESSIONAL by Gumboot Theatre Company

REVIEW BY JADE BREEN EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER We’ve all felt it. The stomach dropping, cheek warming, goosebump giving embrace of a crush. Perhaps it was a coworker, or a stranger on the street. Maybe it was a little closer to home, a best friend, a classic forbidden love. Whoever it was, however it may have festered, the vulnerable act of yearning is a universal … Continue reading ‘God Can’t Make Me Come’: CONFESSIONAL by Gumboot Theatre Company

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Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale

REVIEW BY JESSICA FANWONG EDITED BY CHARLOTTE FRASER In our current age of spiking inflation rates and a volatile political landscape, the second-hand market has seen a boom. We’re seeing a resurgence of trend comebacks: from Y2K to 80s glam to piratecore and grandpacore. For some of us, treasure-hunting a preloved store is nostalgic. For others, it’s out of necessity – the best place to … Continue reading Alanah Parkin’s Garage Sale

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Two Households Both Alike in Dignity: The Bloodthirsty Battleground of Articulate

REVIEW BY JADE BREEN EDITED BY AUDREY MUELLER A tale as old as time. Warring households.Star-crossed lovers.An intense age-old rivalry.Sound familiar? It’s that time of year again, the annual share house showdown where Bourke Street and Vine Street go head-to-head in a tense game of ARTICULATE. The winners will leave victorious beaming with eternal glory, bragging rights, and dominion over the streets of North Melbourne. But the losers? … Continue reading Two Households Both Alike in Dignity: The Bloodthirsty Battleground of Articulate

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