The Drowsy Chaperone: Pure Theatre Joy at Queen’s College

Reviewed by: Jade Smith Fundamentally, this production of Drowsy can only be described as an absolute romp – fun, vibrant, and carried by an incredibly strong cast and crew, a fabulously loving homage to musical theatre. The Drowsy Chaperone follows the Narrator (Will Serafim), an anxious, socially awkward older man living alone in what one can presume is his New York apartment, as he takes us through his … Continue reading The Drowsy Chaperone: Pure Theatre Joy at Queen’s College

UMMTA’s Spamalot: A Successful Quest!

Reviewed by: Emma Parfitt Spamalot is a show advertised to knock Broadway back by 1,000 years – and UMMTA sure delivered a knockout performance at Union Theatre as they transported us back to middle ages in spectacular fashion. The musical, with book and lyrics by Python legend Eric Idle, is essentially a direct spoof of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Directed by Nick Reynolds … Continue reading UMMTA’s Spamalot: A Successful Quest!

A Kooky, Spooky Night with St. Hilda’s “The Addams Family”

Reviewed by: Felicity Siegenthaler St Hilda’s production of Addams Family was a killer hit! The kooky musical comedy brings everybody’s favourite family of darkness on a light-hearted journey of love, growth, and acceptance. The story follows the iconic Wednesday Addams, who has now grown up, fallen in love, and becomes engaged to a conventional young man called Lucas Beineke. After organising a dinner party at the Addams Family Manor for the two families to … Continue reading A Kooky, Spooky Night with St. Hilda’s “The Addams Family”

Harrowing and Inspired: The Theatrical Tapestry of Ormond College’s Spring Awakening

Reviewed by: Simon Brownjohn Ormond Drama’s rendition of Spring Awakening took the 21st century classic to the Union Theatre in an enthralling performance of rock and sadness. The show presents the lives of adolescents, each of whom uniquely come to terms with their burgeoning feelings of sexuality, against the backdrop of a repressive environment which shuns the characters into silence. The themes discussed encompass topics … Continue reading Harrowing and Inspired: The Theatrical Tapestry of Ormond College’s Spring Awakening

UC’s Grease is the Word!

Reviewed by: Emma Parfitt Grease is the time, it’s the place, it’s the motion – it’s the musical that has thrived since the release of the hit movie starring John Travolta and the late Dame Olivia Newton-John in 1978. Nonetheless, its outrageous storyline and at time controversial characters make it a challenge to produce in a modern context: a challenge that University College rose to.  … Continue reading UC’s Grease is the Word!

Divinity: A Demonstration of Flare’s Impressive Community

Hearing ushers detailing how they volunteered just to nab a ticket, and witnessing multiple wannabe audience members be gently turned away as they are informed the performance is sold out, it’s clear that Flare have built a passionate community that is united by a love of dance. Their mid-year showcase, Divinity, is an exciting re-introduction with a focus on developing emerging choreographers as they build … Continue reading Divinity: A Demonstration of Flare’s Impressive Community

Dialog Spotlight: Short Straw Theatre Company – “The Effect”

Interview by: Oscar Lidgerwood Two weeks away from opening their debut production of “The Effect”, Short Straw committee members, Charlotte Rogers, Hazel Pigrum, and Freddie Carew-Reid meet with the Dialog to discuss the importance of student theatre, and open up about their experience starting their own company. Charlotte: We all met through Lord of the Flies with Four Letter Word last semester and decided to … Continue reading Dialog Spotlight: Short Straw Theatre Company – “The Effect”

High Praise for Newman Theatre: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

Reviewed by: Ellie Dean In 2023, we have been blessed when it comes to fairy tale theatre. The premiere season of a new Australian take on the Cinderella story, Midnight, was lighting up the stage of the Comedy Theatre until just a few weeks ago, and is expected by many to announce a tour (or something even bigger) very soon. Even globally, crossing borders to … Continue reading High Praise for Newman Theatre: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

LOVEMACHINE: A Striking Presentation of Modern Love

Reviewed by: Oscar Lidgerwood “My love for you was greater than my wisdom” To love is to hurt. It’s to break, and to heal. To love is knowing when it’s time to go. Through a striking blend of theatricality and a humane vulnerability, LOVEMACHINE finds a beautiful intimacy beneath the complexities of contemporary relationships, underpinning the timelessness of theatre. LOVEMACHINE delivers a nuanced mix of classic with a … Continue reading LOVEMACHINE: A Striking Presentation of Modern Love

Dialog Spotlight: Benjamin Nichol

Interviewed by: Oscar Lidgerwood Ahead of his upcoming run of kerosene & SIRENS this August at fortyfivedownstairs, VCA graduate Benjamin Nichol sits down with The Dialog to discuss his creative process and grants us insight into his life as performer, writer, director, and true theatrical all-rounder. Right now, you’re really doing it all – writing, directing, and performing in the upcoming kerosene & SIRENS double … Continue reading Dialog Spotlight: Benjamin Nichol