‘Don’t you see,’ Jeremy tells the Apocalypse Bear, ‘it was about who we are now and about our childhoods at the same time.’ This concept of duality is at the heart of Lally Katz’s Apocalypse Bear Trilogy. A narrative that stretches across time and space, forcing audiences to consider matters both dark and mundane – from domestic comedy to sexual violence – Katz’s absurdist play … Continue reading Enjoying the Apocalypse
Four Letter Word’s production Triptych introduces three new works written and directed by students from or affiliated with the University of Melbourne. Cherry Bomb, The Mutineer, and Terrorism vary widely in tone and subject matter, ranging from the politics of student theatre, to colonialism, to terror and surveillance. They combine to present a refreshing and thought-provoking collection of theatre. James O’Donoghue’s Cherry Bomb, directed by … Continue reading Triple Threat
The Melbourne University Shakespeare Company’s Henry IV.i was more of an experience than a production. Every aspect of the performance, from its powerful cast to its genius use of set design, allowed the audience to suspend their disbelief and enter a world where notions of honour and loyalty were challenged. For someone who hadn’t previously read the play, and can often struggle keeping up with … Continue reading Shakespeare Revived
Performing Shakespeare’s plays presents any theatre maker with numerous obstacles: the language must be relatable, without losing the flavour of the original; the setting, if modern, must be unpretentious; and if traditional must still be meaningful to a modern audience. Ultimately, MUSC’s production of Henry IV Part 1, directed by James Christenson, manages to overcome these hurdles, and present a relevant modern adaption of Shakespeare’s … Continue reading Long Live the Queen
A mix of playfulness and passion characterised the Balloon Head Theatre Company’s inaugural production, Private Lives, taking the audience on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster. Noel Coward’s classic comedy of romance, with all its twists and turns, is encapsulated by the line ‘Chance rules my life’. The company carried this essence beautifully, with a truly endearing performance that managed to maintain a definite level of professionalism without ever … Continue reading Not-So-Private Lives
There’s nothing quite like the warm, supportive atmosphere of a college-majority crowd at a college play. The opening night audience of Newman’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest fed the energy of the performers, such that an already peppy play was bouncing off the walls in a way that was wonderful to watch. The most prominent stylistic choice in this production is the heavy … Continue reading Earnestly Entertaining
Kissing Booth trails the debacles of four university-aged adults as they flock together in awkward get-togethers and interpersonal relationships, which culminate in a shocking conclusion. N.U.D.E.’s first ever production is generally well put together, with the set kept minimal but effectively dressed, and set pieces – especially the cumbersome kissing booth – used economically and cleverly. The production’s stronger moments, such as Ingrid (Rosie Yates) … Continue reading Kissing Booth
The Book of Everything is a sweet and thoughtfully devised play that shows post-war Amsterdam through the eyes of an overly imaginative nine-year-old. With a cast of just twelve and a set seemingly made of cardboard boxes, young Thomas’ world is immersive as soon as you step into the theatre. Erin Nicholson was endearing in the lead role and did an impressive job conveying the … Continue reading The Book of Everything
Guided by focused performances, Liam Bellman-Sharpe’s Antony and Cleopatra is an engaging production that seldom slacks in pace as it hurtles towards its tragic conclusion. Genevieve Cassin in particular cuts a powerful Cleopatra, whose remarkable stage presence commands respect. The control she exudes on the stage makes clear that the puppeteer in this game of political intrigue is Cleopatra, and her boundless ambition is absolutely … Continue reading Review: Antony & Cleopatra
In the lead up to the Melbourne University Shakespeare Company’s production of Antony & Cleopatra, Anthony Kuiper sat down with director Liam Bellman-Sharpe to discuss his adaptation of the play. Why Antony & Cleopatra? For a few reasons. It is a lesser known work but a well-known story. Everyone knows these characters and has associations with these characters. I think challenging people’s conceptions of what … Continue reading Public figures in private: MUSC’s Antony & Cleopatra
The Dialog 