Performing Arts Reviews:
2008–2022

Photo by Eric Berry National Theatre of Parramatta and Third Space Productions present THE CARTOGRAPHER’S CURSE, in the Lennox Theatre at the Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, 5 – 8 October. Paula Abood the Director of this project says in her note in the program: THE CARTOGRAPHER’S CURSE clears a space for Arab Australians artists, thinkers and performers to create a show that means to decolonise time through a dynamic re-imagining of a subjugated past that has powerfully shaped our shackled presence. As Lebanese historian Kamal Salibi affirms, ‘History is not merely a search for knowledge. It is also a search for…

Sydney Conservatorium of Music presents the Verbrugghen Ensemble, in Verrbrugghen Hall, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Tuesday 4th October. OF MAGIC AND MADNESS is the final concert of the inaugural season of the Verbrugghen Ensemble. The Ensemble is in residence at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It is made up of internationally acclaimed soloists and orchestral musicians, most of whom are faculty members of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It is Directed by Conductor, John Lynch. This concert consisted of the presentation of work from the last half of the last century and a World Premiere by Australian composer,…

Belvoir in association with Oombarra productions present THE DROVER’S WIFE, by Leah Purcell, in the Upstairs Theatre, in the Belvoir St Theatre. 21 September – 16 October. THE DROVER’S WIFE by Leah Purcell, is a new Australian play. Henry Lawson’s short story, THE DROVER’S WIFE, was a reading that most of us of a certain generation had at school. Ms Purcell in her program notes tells us that it was a part of her growing up, a personal and familiar story shared with her by her mother, regularly, such that at the last line: I would stop her and say.…

Australian Dance Artists in association with Ken Unsworth, presents SEVEN IMPOSSIBLE PIECES, in the Ken Unsworth Studio, in Alexandria. October 1, 2, 3 4, & 6,  2016. SEVEN IMPOSSIBLE PIECES has an original score by Jonathan Cooper. Seven pieces written for six musicians – solo, duets trios etc. Jonathan Copper plays piano and Harmonium; Claire Edwardes, side drum; Genevieve Lang, harp; Jason Nobel, bass & clarinet; James Nightingale, soprano saxophone; James Wannan, viola. To these ‘impossible pieces’ the Australian Dance Artists: Susan Barling, Anca Frankenhaeuser, Patrick Harding-Irmer and Ross Philip with Creative Collaborator Norman Hall have Choreographed dance. Ken Unsworth…

The Hermetic Theatre Company, Poor Toms Gin and Red Line presents THRENODY, a New Australian Work written by Michael McStay, at the Old Fitz Theatre (late night, 9.30pm) 27 Sept – 8 October. THRENODY, is the second work by Michael McStay that we have seen this year at the Old Fitz. The first having been: BRIGHT THOSE CLAWS THAT MAR THE FLESH. In this work Virginia has been sequested all her life in the home (womb? – Ian McEwen’s recent novel NUTSHELL!) of her mother, a writer. ‘The Rider of the Diamond Horse’, a cautionary tale, is their favourite work…

Photograph by Helen White Darlinghurst Theatre Co presents, REMEMBERING PIRATES, by Christopher Harley, in the Eternity Theatre, Burton St Darlinghurst, 16 September – 16 October. REMEMBERING PIRATES is a new work by Christopher Harley, who gave us BLOOD BANK at the Ensemble Theatre late last year. The ‘core’ of the dramatics of this new play is similar to the last one by Mr Harley. Two brothers: one of them lost (Michael), the other (John) subsequently traumatised. (In BLOOD BANK, it was Justin that was lost and Michael traumatised). In this instance we also have a sister, Wendy and the haunting playtime…