Monthly Archives: September 2013

5 Questions with Scott Irwin

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scottirwinWhat is your favourite swear word?
I have a lot of fun with the C-word, but only ever in fun, it becomes a bit off if you’re serious! Generally I replace every swear word with “Jeepers!” which is simultaneously old fashioned, family friendly and contagious to others.

What are you wearing?
A blue t-shirt and jeans.

What is love?
Wow… love is giving.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Do you know what? It was Legally Blonde the musical, and I have to say I’d give it 4.5 stars out of 5. A slick, sharp, snappy and hilarious example of a modern musical.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Yep. Steve Helper’s writing is fantastic… and if I can just say all of the things he’s written we’ll be off to a fine start! A Sign Of The Times is a story for anyone who has ever wondered WHY…
Read Suzy’s review here

Scott Irwin is starring in A Sign Of The Times.
Show dates: 11 – 21 Sep, 2013
Show venue: NIDA Parade Theatres

5 Questions with Julian Dibley Hall

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juliandibleyhallWhat is your favourite swear word?
Shit. Simple, effective and multi-purpose.

What are you wearing?
A navy blue knitted jumper and my old, comfy, falling-apart track pants.

What is love?
Honesty, compassion and the desire to always give more of yourself to the person or thing you love.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
STC’s Rosencrantz And Guildenstern – 4 stars

Is your new show going to be any good?
YES!

 

 

Julian Dibley Hall is assistant director of Penelope.
Show dates: 12 Sep – 6 Oct, 2013
Show venue: TAP Gallery

Any Womb Will Do (King Street Theatre)

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anywombwilldo1Venue: King Street Theatre (Newtown NSW), Sep 8 – 23, 2013
Playwright: Gavin Roach
Director: Gavin Roach
Actor: Gavin Roach

Theatre review
Gavin Roach is an important voice in Australian theatre. He writes from the perspective of a gay man from Generation Y, and frequently appears on stage as a representation of young men of his community. Even though politics does not seem to feature as an obvious theme in his plays, Roach is a crucial presence in our theatrical landscape in terms of the way his work resonates for sexual minorities, which in itself is political action.

In Any Womb Will Do, the premise of child-bearing for a single gay man is explored. The show is presented in the most simple fashion, a one act monologue with no scene changes, and without lighting and sound effects. Roach is seen simply to be in his lounge room, talking to us about the issues he faces in trying to become a father. His performance begins with a campy and humorous tone, which the audience enjoys and reacts favourably almost like at a stand up show. Roach’s confidence and charm allows him to win the crowd over instantaneously, creating an air of ease and comfort in the theatre. As the play progresses, he switches gear to a more melancholic mode, where unfortunately his command of the space slowly fades. The characterisation becomes less believable and the story’s pathos fails to connect.

Nevertheless, this is an interesting work that addresses real concerns of queer communities as societies the world over progress and become more inclusive. As same-sex marriage becomes de rigueur in many countries, it only follows that family structures are re-examined, and with every other progressive idea, the theatre is where the process begins.

www.facebook.com/gavindanielroach
http://2013.sydneyfringe.com/…

Who Do You See? (Duck Duck Goose Theatre Company)

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whodoyousee1Venue: King Street Theatre (Newtown NSW), Sep 8 – 23, 2013
Playwright: Gavin Roach
Director: Sarah Vickery
Actors: David Griffiths, Emma Jones, Suz Mawer, Jack Michel, Christian O’Connor

Theatre review
It is a brave decision to stage a play entirely in the dark, for what is a play without its visual aspect? Who Do You See? engages only your aural senses, which is an undoubtedly unusual exercise, but it also proves to be a challenging one. Five actors recite sections of the play pertaining to their individual characters, but these are not first-person narratives. They refer to their characters by name, rather than “I”. As a result, the experience is similar to that of listening to an audio book with narration by different voices, and quite extensive but subtle sound effects. One therefore wonders if this production would have worked equally well as an audio recording, and whether having the audience physically present at the venue is necessary.

Similar to the experience of reading, this production engages the imagination much more than a conventional staging would. The evocative title demands that the audience questions the assumptions they make in their own visualisations. We play with identity markers like ethnicity, height, weight, age, and clothing, trying to decide which versions of our imagined characters are accurate or appropriate. At the end of the show, lights are finally turned up and we get to see the actors. If the actors are different from what you had imagined them to look like, what does that say about your beliefs and prejudices?

www.facebook.com/ddgtheatre
http://2013.sydneyfringe.com/…

5 Questions with Mel Dodge

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meldodgeWhat is your favourite swear word?
I like to let out the c-bomb. Followed by a ‘sorry for the c-bomb’ statement.

What are you wearing?
It’s Saturday morning so I’m having a lazy morning in my pyjamas, drinking a good strong coffee.

What is love?
Love comes by surprise. It creeps up on all the Jane Austen characters and I think that’s true in the real world too. It is playful, passionate, loyal and we can’t control the package it arrives in.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Beached. 3.5

Is your new show going to be any good?
Jane Austen Is Dead is lots of fun. It’s a contemporary story about searching for love… love that comes in the package of a Jane Austen hero. We’ve played to sold out crowds in Wellington and Adelaide, so Hopefully Sydney will love it too! It’s a great show for bringing a group of girls (although it has enough laughs for gentlemen too!!!) and having a few pre/post show drinks. Read Suzy’s review here

Mel Dodge is writer and star of Jane Austen Is Dead, part of Sydney Fringe 2013.
Show dates: 16 – 23 Sep, 2013
Show venue: New Theatre

Miss Julie (Belvoir St Theatre)

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757094-1f162f2e-1050-11e3-92bf-1ac22055d80e[1]Venue: Belvoir St Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Aug 24 – Oct 6, 2013
Playwright: Simon Stone after August Strindberg
Director: Leticia Cáceres
Actors: Taylor Ferguson, Brendan Cowell, Blazey Best

Theatre review
Belvoir’s production of Miss Julie is a radical update of the Strindberg classic. It relocates the characters to modern day Australia, drastically changing its form, language, and ideology. Key plot developments are retained, ensuring that the excitement and drama of the original are utilised to their full potential. Importantly, the political unsavouriness inherent in Strindberg’s pre-feminist 1888 work undergoes thorough subversion, giving rise to a new creation that re-imagines a powerful story, and uses it to make a statement that is representative of our times. It is a feminist act to revamp the work, but the political message contained in this new production is thankfully more ambiguous and sophisticated.

Brendan Cowell does exceedingly well by quickly establishing the play in its time and space with a familiar Aussie bloke caricature from his very entrance. He performs the charming larrikin with gusto, and is immediately likable as well as extraordinarily funny. This man has charisma in spades and isn’t afraid to use it, which is appropriate for the role of a man who is caught between two women. Miss Julie traverses very dark territory, and Cowell’s comic presence serves well to keep the tone humorous, although there are a few points that could have been more impactful if things were allowed to go more serious and grave.

Taylor Ferguson plays the 16 year-old Julie with an enthralling character development that could surprise any seasoned theatre-goer. The role showcases her versatility and courage as a young actor, and the play relies solely on her strengths to introduce a sense of believability and empathy. While her Julie is not the most endearing character to behold, the effect she has on her audience is deep and enduring.

Director Leticia Cáceres and playwright Simon Stone have created this new Miss Julie with a young, revolutionary voice. Their work is fiercely contemporary and fearlessly dramatic. The politics of the story is not immediately evident, but it is the reconstruction of works in the “misogyny cannon” (Cáceres’ words) that is relevant, and one can only hope that they return to that cannon and disrupts it again one play at a time.

www.belvoir.com.au

5 Questions with Sarah Vickery

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sarahvickeryWhat is your favourite swear word?
Fucking fuck.

What are you wearing?
Vintage

What is love?
Consistent

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
I saw Beached at the Griffin. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
It’s going to be off the charts good.

 

 

Sarah Vickery is directing Who Do You See?, part of Sydney Fringe 2013.
Show dates: 8 – 23 Sep, 2013
Show venue: King Street Theatre

Lifeforce: The Mother Of All Journeys (King Street Theatre)

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rsz__wp_5900_bubblesmed_Venue: King Street Theatre (Newtown NSW), Sep 6 – 21, 2013
Songs, book and lyrics: Joanne Weinberg
Director: Lisa Freshwater
Choreographer: Christopher Horsey
Actors: Natalie Lotkin, Tyran Parke, Monique Salle, Meredity O’Reilly, Charlotte Kerr, Christopher Horsey

Theatre review
Without an orchestra or band to perform a prologue, the show starts off clunky and stilted. It is a shock to the ears when characters replace conversation with big rousing musical numbers, especially when irony and comedy are not yet introduced at that early stage. Thankfully, by the time of the third song, things begin to fall into place, and Lifeforce unfurls its magic, telling a story with themes that are deep and universal. Its story isn’t a particularly interesting or unusual one, but the emotions it communicates and the ideas it explores have a profundity that elevates the musical genre from mere entertainment.

This is a demanding show for the small cast. Without support from a chorus, stage hands and elaborate sets, these six performers are required to take us on their journey, relying only on their skill and talent. Leading lady Natalie Lotkin’s confident voice is beautiful, and provides an emotional truth that gives the show a feel of authenticity. Tyran Parke demonstrates outstanding abilities both as a vocalist and actor, with a performance that is simultaneously entertaining and moving. Monique Salle gives her roles a sense of light and liveliness. Her voice is the brightest in the group, and accompanied with a keen sense of comedy, she owns some of the show’s most memorable moments.

Lisa Freshwater’s direction is accomplished. She treats her story with reverence, and imbues her characters with dignity. Freshwater’s emphasis on truthful character development allows its audience to engage and to empathise with those characters. There are instances in the production, however, where comic elements could have been played up more as the tone tends to get overly serious. From a structural perspective, the work misses the opportunity for a stronger surprise ending that could have taken the show to a more emotional conclusion. This is unfortunate and slightly bewildering.

Themes of family and parenthood when taken seriously, never fail to connect. In the case of Lifeforce, we are served an earnest and thoughtful tale of motherhood in several forms. Along with clever song-writing and beautiful singing (King St Theatre’s cosy acoustics are the perfect showcase for a small musical), this is a show that aims for the heart and never misses its mark.

www.facebook.com/lifeforcethemusical
http://2013.sydneyfringe.com/…

5 Questions with Alicia González

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aliciagonzalezWhat is your favourite swear word?
I have a few colourful ones that I am attached to. Choose one Alicia. Ok, ok! My fave this month is fuck-face.

What are you wearing?
An American Apparel mens tee and ugg boots. It’s my day off. Oh, and trackie pants. Don’t forget the pants.

What is love?
Absurd, at its best and worst of times. It is like a poisoned chalice.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Fred by Lisa Chappell at Old 505. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Brilliant, original, courageous one-woman piece. Go see it if you can 🙂

Is your new show going to be any good?
Yes, it’s a labour of love. You’ll either love it or love to hate it and walk away and say, “fuck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before”, and that’s ok with me.

Alicia González is performer and devisor of Fred & Ginger, part of Sydney Fringe 2013.
Show dates: 16 – 22 Sep, 2013
Show venue: The Old 505 Theatre

5 Questions with Kelly Young

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kellyyoung1What is your favourite swear word?
Let’s just say that singing a song called “Everybody [is having a lovely time with their partners] But Me” answers that question. That’s the print friendly title, by the way…

What are you wearing?
I’m wearing as many jumpsuits as I can. I have 15!

What is love?
My daughter.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The last show I saw was the STC’s Roz and Guil. 5/5 stars. I loved existentialist Minchin.

Is your new show going to be any good?
My new show is going to be hilarious, quirky and touching. It’s going to be great! Read Suzy’s review here

Kelly Young is writer and star of Oh! My Shattered Illusions, part of Sydney Fringe 2013.
Show dates: 12 – 14 Sep, 2013
Show venue: Seymour Centre