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

5 Questions with Kate Gaul

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kategaulWhat is your favourite swear word?
FUCK (Has to have caps!)

What are you wearing?
Black jeans I found in an op shop and a black T shirt from Supre – charming!

What is love?
Breath on my neck – oh hang on that’s lust… LOVE? Love is being flirted with even after all these years…

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Einstein on the Beach – 5 out of 5.

Is your new show going to be any good?
FUCK! It will be MAGNIFICENT – funny, dark, perilous, slightly weird, unexpected, beautiful and an amazing achievement for everyone who helped make it.

 

Kate Gaul is director of Penelope.
Show dates: 12 Sep – 6 Oct, 2013
Show venue: TAP Gallery

5 Questions with Clare Heuston from The Slow Days

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clareheustonWhat is your favourite swear word?
I am trying to give up! Kids have sensitive ears and make it very clear they don’t like swears, and I think in the end they might be right. And I used to get such a kick out of swearing!

What are you wearing?
My pyjamas – a long-sleeve black top and black tights – but my secret is that I AM ALWAYS wearing my pyjamas! All my work clothes are my pyjamas with a skirt over the top and a bra underneath! Tell no one.

What is love?
It is my bedspread which my 60-something mother hand-knitted for me. A double-bedspread. It features in my costume for Distilled.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
It was a dance showcase for emerging choreographers at the Bangarra space last week and it was splendid and I give it 4 stars!

Is your new show going to be any good?
Yes, you have to be there! You will feel understood and loved and amused! We promise!

The Slow Days show Distilled is part of Sydney Fringe 2013.
Show dates: 12 – 14 Sep, 2013
Show venue: King Street Theatre

5 Questions with Brendan Cowell

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brendancowellWhat is your favourite swear word?
Fuckpig.

What are you wearing?
Sports short and training tank-top.

What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
I saw Persona at Belvoir: 4 and a half.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Yes it’s vital art.
Read Suzy’s review here

 

 

 

Brendan Cowell stars in Miss Julie.
Show dates: 24 Aug – 6 Oct, 2013
Show venue: Belvoir St Theatre

Empire: Terror On The High Seas (Tamarama Rock Surfers)

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1173881_628047743894506_803955022_n[1]Venue: Bondi Pavilion Theatre (Bondi NSW), Aug 29 – Sep 28, 2013
Playwright: Toby Schmitz
Director: Leland Kean
Actors: Anthony Gooley, Ella Scott Lynch, Billie Rose Prichard, Nathan Lovejoy, Anthony Gee

Theatre review
Empire: Terror On The High Seas is a murder mystery set on an ocean liner in the late 1920s, but it owes little to the world of Agatha Christie’s writing. Instead, Toby Schmitz’s script is evocative of improvisational jazz music and the work of William S. Burroughs, with a structure that lends itself to a plot that unfolds mesmerisingly, but also freely goes away on lyrical tangents as though the story takes a break to feed an opiate habit at suitable intervals.

This is a big cast, with the participation of just under 20 actors. Performances are consistently good, with even the smaller roles excelling at creating an impression. Leading man Anthony Gooley is spellbinding as an unorthodox writer of sorts, on a journey grappling with personal issues including his concept of setting poetry to the stage. Gooley skilfully creates an endearing character who surprises with dramatic turns that are deliciously outlandish. Nathan Lovejoy steals the first half of the show with an exquisite flamboyance. His stage presence is irrepressible and he rules the stage with perfect comic timing at the show’s lighter sections. Ella Scott Lynch’s creation of a wild, gutsy flapper provides some of the most entertaining moments, and her stage husband Anthony Gee is memorable with a high energy performance that is manic and menacingly intense.

Leland Kean’s direction is thorough and meticulous. His vision comes through distinctly from his players who obviously understand their captain’s destination and purposes. Kean does not shy away from shock value, but he is simultaneously elegant in his approach. There are explicit scenes of debauchery and murder but his show is an aesthetically stylish one. Costumes and set are cleverly and beautifully designed. Sound is outstanding by being omnipresent and crucial to the fluid machinations of the storytelling, but is never distracting.

This is an artistic work that takes many poetic licenses and while it does not always communicate clearly, it takes its audience on its trip and triumphantly weaves through styles and genres, ending up with a theatrical narrative that is gripping, fascinating, and utterly fabulous.

www.rocksurfers.org