Performing Arts Reviews:
2008–2022

  Ensemble Theatre presents DREAM HOME written and directed by David Williamson, at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli. This is a catch-up post. I saw this production in early February. DREAM HOME, by David Williamson, is a new Australian play. What was interesting, when reading about this play and its conceptual inspiration, was that it appeared to be about the not uncommon problem of new home owners, who after purchasing and moving into what they believe to be a dream home, instead, find it a nightmare, surrounded by neighbours that can make living there a catastrophe, a hell. We all have…

Photo by Mark Micaleff Photography Skylight Productions present THE PLOT, written and Produced by Evdoika Katahanas, at the Mantouridion Theatre, Building 36, 142 Addison Rd Marrickville. 13 Feb – 1Mar. During the month of March I was ‘afflicted’ with a summer flu, and although I saw some work in the theatre, was not able to diarise. I shall attempt to catch-up. THE PLOT, is a new Australian play by Evdokia Katahanas, and has its origins in the appreciation of the life of the aged and the observation that ‘the measure of a civilised society is how we treat our most vulnerable…

Sydney Dance Company (SDC) present FRAME OF MIND in the Sydney Theatre, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. FRAME OF MIND is a double-bill from the Sydney Dance Company: QUINTETT by William Forsythe, and a new work, FRAME OF MIND by Artistic Director of the company, Rafael Bonachella. QUINTETT, is a dance by William Forsythe, made in 1994, to honour his dying dancer-wife. The work is having its first Australian performance with this company, the significance of the work for five dancers, having special meaning and delicacies for the Choreographer, that permission for its re-creation is sparely given. In rehearsal clothing the…

  Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) presents REFLECTIONS ON GALLIPOLI, at Sydney City Rectal Hall Angel Place. One was brought to deep reflective emotions, that culminated in tears, by a programme of music, classical and folk, with words and images in the Angel Place Recital Hall and, I daresay, one will have to look hard and long for a memorial to the tragic action of Gallipoli – this year, 2015, it’s Centenary year of remembrance –  that could reach to such heights of  integrity, dignity and human feeling and thought, than this concert brought to us by the Australian Chamber Orchestra…

  Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents a Milk Crate Theatre Production, the World Premiere of THIS HOUSE IS MINE, by Maree Freeman at the Eternity Playhouse. THIS HOUSE IS MINE, by Maree Freeman, is new Australian work. Ms Freeman is CEO/Artistic Director of Milk Crate Theatre, Playwright and producer of THIS HOUSE IS MINE. From her notes in the program: Milk Crate Theatre works by, with and for our community of artists who have experienced homelessness and social marginalisation. … it is vitally important to acknowledge the community context from which this work springs. The process of creating THIS HOUSE IS…

New Theatre presents, WHEN THE RIAN STOPS FALLING, by Andrew Bovell, at the New Theatre, King St., Newtown. 17 March – 18 April, 2015. This production of Andrew Bovell’s WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING, at the New Theatre left me in a gratified mood of semi-euphoria. I saw the original Brink Theatre production in the Drama Theatre, at the Sydney Opera House, in 2009, and rated it has one of the great experiences of new Australian writing I had had for a long time. Seeing the New Theatre’s more modest production does not diminish that memory in any way, and…