Performing Arts Reviews:
2008–2022

National Theatre presents ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS – a new play by Richard Bean based on THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS by Carlo Goldoni with songs by Grant Olding, by arrangement with the Theatre Royal Haymarket Company, London. I saw this production in London in early January, 2013.I had also seen the broadcast of this production from the Lyttelton Theatre at the National at the Chauvel Cinema, Paddington, last year.So, twice!! (Different casts). ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS by Richard Bean is an adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS which was a reworking of an old Commedia Dell’Arte scenario:…

Sydney Symphony presents Special Event with Premier Partner Credit Suisse, CARMINA BURANA in the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House. CARMINA BURANA by Carl Orff was presented by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as a special event conducted by a Chinese conductor, Long Yu. It also created an opportunity to introduce a Chinese composer (now French citizen), Chen Qigang to a Sydney audience. The work was ENCHANTEMENTS OUBILES (FORGOTTEN ENCHANTMENTS) – 2008. It is for an orchestra of strings, harp, celesta and percussion – there are no woodwinds or brass instruments. Soaring, floating string melodies juxtaposed with vibraphone and marimba.…

Sydney Dance Company presents DE NOVO at the Sydney Theatre, Hickson Rd. DE NOVO is a three-work evening of dance with the Sydney Dance Company. EMERGENCE, choreographed by Rafael Bonachela; FANATIC by Larissa McGowan and CACTI by Alexander Ekman. The audience loved it. My audience applauded hard, stamped and whistled for all three pieces. I did not love it. I have reservations, reservations, reservations. AHHHHH! I wished I didn’t. I loved the dancers and the dancing, I didn’t much like the dances. Well, not completely true, I thought CACTI was clever and if it were in another program, say like…

  Creative State and Acompany Theatre present MISS JULIE by August Strindberg, translated by Michael Meyer at 72A Sheperd St. Marrickville. This new company, Creative State and Acompany Theatre, for its first production has taken on one of the esteemed writings for the theatre: MISS JULIE by August Strindberg (1888). This production is using the translation of Michael Meyer (1964). Michael Meyer was an expert in the Scandinavian language. He also wrote amongst other work, bio-graphies of both Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg – both regarded as definitive works. It was interesting to watch this play in the hands of…

  Garnet Productions with Theatre 19 present DIRTY BLONDE by Claudia Shear and James Lapine at Theatre 19 (the old Darlinghurst Theatre), Potts Point. For your party conversation note-books: Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before. An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promise. You only live once, but, if you do it right, once is enough. When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad I’m better. Cultivate your curves – they may be dangerous but they won’t be avoided. I generally avoid temptation when I can resist it. It is better…

Photo by John Feely Arthur and Tamarama Rock Surfers presents CUT SNAKE by Amelia Evans, Dan Giovannoni and Paige Rattray at the Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach. CUT SNAKE comes from a team of three writers: Amelia Evans (LYREBIRD), Dan Giovannoni (WRECKING) and Paige Rattray. Ms Rattray directs Julia Billington (Bob), Charlie Davies (Kiki Corriander) and Kevin Kiernan-Molloy (Jumper). Entering through a tunnel of hung squares of varying patterns and variegated colours of fabrics, sewn together, tent like, festooned with little flags and other electrical bunting, the usual big space of the Bondi Pavilion has been curtained into a smaller focused…