Performing Arts Reviews:
2008–2022

    The Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival 2009 present THE WAR OF THE ROSES, Part 1 & Part 2 by William Shakespeare adapted by Tom Wright & Benedict Andrews at the Sydney Theatre. Before we talk of the present production under the title THE WAR OF THE ROSES there will be a preamble of information that I think is relevant. ( Skip forward if you wish.) Shakespeare wrote two tetralogies or eight plays chronicling a turbulent 88 years of English History (from the 1380’s to the 1480’s) covering the reigns of English monarchs from that of Richard II to…

    Hot Seat, ROAR Theatre and 2SER in association with the Tamarama Rock Surfers present the Australian Premiere of VINCENT RIVER by Philip Ridley at The Old Fitzroy Theatre. Philip Ridley a playwright, film maker, children’s novelist and artist/photographer in an interview was asked about a scrapbook collection of photographs of his that is famously “notorious”. Mr Ridley comments that there are “more severed heads than pansies…. more severed heads than kittens in boots” in it. Mr Ridley’s most famous and notorious play is MERCURY FUR, which had a season several years ago at the SBW Stables Theatre, is…

    Bambina Borracha and Griffin Stablemates present a World premiere: HAMMERHEAD (IS DEAD) at the SBW Stables Theatre. Hammerhead has been hit in the head by his sister and the play begins with her calling for help. “8.00 – the accident. 8.01 – the play begins. ‘Hammerhead’ is dying. 9.30-the play ends, ‘Hammerhead’ dies.” “The time in between includes some sex with dreamboat Denny, adventures on the high seas with Mindy, and conversations in a seaside shack with Jones.” This is a new play by young playwright Nick Coyle. Although this is the first play of his that I…

    FAKER at Oxford Art Factory, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. As you know my deal with myself is to review all the live “theatre” I see. A Diary of my experiences. So, this is how cool I am…….!!!! On Friday night I was invited to a performance of FAKER, an Australian alternative rock band, to see a friend of mine make his debut as one of the guitarists. It was also a Christmas Party put on by the Band. My name was on the door list plus one. Very Special I thought. The Oxford Art Factory is a really “coool”…

    Christmas and the New Year is hurtling towards us. Have the Holiday wishes from me. I thought I would go back over the year and list responses that left impressions upon me. I hope it leads to some ease of conversation for you. I feel that the possibility for good work in the performing Arts has most to do with the writing.The writer as “GOD”. So, that’s where I’ll begin. After drawing up a rough draft and some cogitation here we go. This is mostly in a chronological order of experience. THE SERPENT’S TEETH by Daniel Keene. Two…

    Company B presents the Ridiculusmus production TOUGH TIME, NICE TIME, written by Jon Haynes and David Woods at Belvoir Theatre. There is a blackened stage with just a lit bathtub in the centre. The lights go down. I can see two men, in the dark, wrapped in white towels, enter, and sit in the small tub. The lights come back up. Two men sitting in a bath, supposedly in a bath house, maybe in Bangkok, tell each other stories. The stories may be factual, they maybe distilled from film, fiction. The men maybe naked in the tub. There…