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Fran and Leni: Unapologetically feminist

In picking the inaugural text for a female led production company, Seemingly Wholesome Productions couldn’t have selected a more perfect first endeavour than Sadie Hasler’s Fran and Leni. Punchy, raw and real, Fran and Leni follows two punk rockers from their quaint British public school upbringing, through their years of near infamy, into their middle ages, as they struggle with the powerful nature of female … Continue reading Fran and Leni: Unapologetically feminist

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Twelfth Night: The garden party of the summer

As a rule, a warm balmy evening, picnic rugs, wine and crackers laden with cheese are all conducive to a great night. Then add a playful and reactive cast, a classic love story, some 80’s classics and by-gosh; you’ve got yourself a hit. Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is set up in Central Park, Malvern East. It takes the classic tale … Continue reading Twelfth Night: The garden party of the summer

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Love’s Labour’s Lost: A rollicking ride for the child in us all

Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost gives you everything you expect from a romantic comedy – plenty of laughs, a touch of slapstick and quite a few caricature-esque characters. What it lacks perhaps, is a relishing of Shakespeare’s language and just a touch more professionalism. The atmosphere is beautiful – an in-the-round theatre within a park, with a balmy breeze drifting … Continue reading Love’s Labour’s Lost: A rollicking ride for the child in us all

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Holy Mothers: Lost in translation

La Mama’s Holy Mothers takes a domestic world of petty judgement and watches as it slowly unravels into a distorted, nightmarish scene. Andre Bastian’s adaptation follows a translation of Werner Schwab’s original script, where three middle aged cleaning ladies gather in a kitchen to discuss their lives. The conversation flits from church and neighbours to disowned children, eventually spiralling into their own self indulgent and … Continue reading Holy Mothers: Lost in translation

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The Lady in the Van: She’s safe and reliable

This production is directed by Dean Bryant, stars Miriam Margoyles and, at first glance, encapsulates everything I am wary of when it comes to main stage theatre. A reliance on a famous international actor (albeit one that has recently become an Australian citizen), partnered with a well known international play and a resident director. It is very safe, even by the standards of Melbourne Theatre … Continue reading The Lady in the Van: She’s safe and reliable

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BECOME THE ONE: Not quite ‘the one’

Become the One, written by Adam Fawcett and directed by Lyall Brooks, has made its onstage debut this February as part of Midsumma 2019. The work, co-presented by Lab Kelpie and Gasworks Arts Park, promises to be a fearless exploration of hyper masculinity packaged within a queer love story. From the outset it’s funny, it’s charismatic and it’s also a total cliché. Tom (Chris Asimos), … Continue reading BECOME THE ONE: Not quite ‘the one’

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Cock: Comedic but unsettling

Director Beng Oh’s production of Cock by Mike Bartlett returns after a 2018 season at The Stables, Meat Market, and is now being staged at the inimitable fortyfivedownstairs as part of Midsumma 2019. Cock centres around John (Matthew Connell), who’s in a seven-year relationship with a man M (Shaun Goss). Having long identified openly as gay, John finds himself attracted to a woman W (Marissa O’Reilly). The play’s tension … Continue reading Cock: Comedic but unsettling

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A Party to Murder: Killing It

Melbourne University Chinese Theatre Group’s production of A Party to Murder is a homage to possibly the world’s most famous detective writer, Agatha Christie. As I enter the theatre on the production’s closing night I am torn between excitement and apprehension – as an avid Christie fan I’m a sucker for a good mystery, but I’ve also seen a few too many twee repertory productions of The … Continue reading A Party to Murder: Killing It

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Rhinoceros: What’s Grey, Weighs a Ton and is An Allegory For Fascism?

The programme for Trinity College’s 2018 production, Rhinoceros, states the college’s move away from more serious theatre to something funny. Perhaps the most studied piece of absurdist theatre in the world after Waiting for Godot, this play certainly is ripe with comic potential. The students at Trinity have, accordingly, provided a hilarious, madcap rendition of Ionesco’s work. Being an allegory for fascism, the weighty themes … Continue reading Rhinoceros: What’s Grey, Weighs a Ton and is An Allegory For Fascism?

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IDA: Not Your Princess

Reproducing respected writer Anita Punton’s much loved 1994 production of ‘The Princess Ida Parlor’ was always going to be a challenge. Completely readapting IDA for a modern audience whilst also being forced to completely re-compose the score seems almost impossible. Yet, despite the potential setbacks, the indispensable Union House Theatre has triumphed once again in creating an engaging, informed and most of all, inspiring theatre … Continue reading IDA: Not Your Princess

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