Tag Archives: darling quarter theatre

Review: Solace (ARA Darling Quarter Theatre)

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Venue: ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Sydney NSW), Nov 29 – Dec 2, 2023
Directors: David Clarkson, Margot Politis
Cast: Kerry Bashford, Lana Filies, Matthias Nudl, Alana Pienkosz, Darlene Proberts, Nick Vagne
Images by Robert Catto

Theatre review
Sometimes the place we find ourselves, proves inadequate at containing the full beings we are. It is a feeling of displacement and incongruity, where things struggle to fit or cohere. Solace is a devised work that explores personal quests for a sense of comfort, often dealing with a state of dissociation, as individuals retreat into deep introspection, withdrawing into somewhere ephemeral yet fundamentally authentic.

Directed by David Clarkson and Margot Politis, the 35-minute work is confidently poetic, and unapologetic with its rendering of a theatrical language that is consistently esoteric in quality, unafraid of obscure expressions, with a view to providing an experience that sings truthfully.

Video projections by Matt Hughes are a key feature of the staging, magically incorporating live action into the imagery we see on screens. Operating harmoniously with Mike Smith’s lights, the results are consistently beautiful, delivering visuals that connect meaningfully on a visceral level. Music by Prema Yin coaxes us persuasively into a cosmic realm, away from mundane realities, yet tethered to the inevitable wordliness of all our existences.

Six devisors for Solace appear onstage to present their own creative musings. They form a sincere cast, memorable for a distinctly delicate approach to storytelling. Having given themselves the permission to  indulge in an art characterised by sensitivity and fragility, we are reminded of the care and support that artists, and everyone else, require to flourish. To be vulnerable is to be honest about humanity, but it is how are able to hold each other, with grace and generosity, that makes all the difference.

www.milkcratetheatre.com | www.boxofbirds.net

Review: Next To Normal (ARA Darling Quarter Theatre)

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Venue: ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Sydney NSW), Nov 22 – 25, 2023
Book and Lyrics: Brian Yorkey
Music: Tom Kitt
Director: Marie-Jo Orbase, Eezu Tan
Cast: Jacen Bennett, Liam Faulkner-Dimond, Sebastian Nelson, Chaya Ocampo, Claire Perry, Marcus Rivera
Images by Hugo Photography & Film

Theatre review
Diana experiences serious mental health challenges; suffering from bipolar disorder, along with depression and anxiety issues, she tries different treatment options, hoping for a cure that could solve her problems decisively. In the musical Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, we take an honest look at a phenomenon that is pervasive yet stigmatised, to help facilitate discussions about how we, as individuals and as communities, navigate psychological well-being.

It is a cleverly structured work, with excellent humour and a sensitive tenderness, culminating in a surprisingly subversive conclusion, that connects with both intelligence and amusement. Directed by Marie-Jo Orbase and Eezu Tan, the production is full of sincerity, and although lacking in polish, tells the story with a vibrant gusto. Sound engineering in the production is particularly impressive, standing out as the staging’s most professional element.

Performer Claire Perry demonstrates great commitment for the role of Diana, and sings the part with admirable precision. The entire cast delivers a good standard of musicality, as well as passion and energy, for a show that provokes valuable thought and discussion.

There are many ways we can choose to deal with our mental health, as long as we know not to neglect its care. We are bruised and battered from simply existing, and what happens in the mind is endlessly complex and delicate. There are no easy solutions, and certainly nothing that could work the same for every person, but to pay it close attention, to understand that it requires constant nurturing and tending to, is crucial to us thriving.

www.whimsicalproductions.com.au

Review: Sunderella (ARA Darling Quarter Theatre)

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Venue: ARA Darling Quarter Theatre (Sydney NSW), Mar 1 – 4, 2023
Playwright: Kunal Mirchandani
Director: Bali Padda
Cast: Nickin Alexander, Aria, Sheila Dickshit, Mohini Dixit, Kashif Harrison, Adish Jain, Zeenat Parveen, Rani, Shabnam Tavakol
Images by Dusk Devi Vision

Theatre review

In this version of a very familiar story, the prince is left with a bangle instead of a glass slipper, to look for the woman of his dreams. Also different in this new iteration of the tale, is that the woman turns out to be a man, who had gone to the ball, dressed in drag. Kunal Mirchandani’s Sunderella moves the story to Mumbai in 1762, for a queer reframing of a classic love story, that should prove more appealing to the many who are tired of the heterosexual dynamic, so obstinately central to virtually all of our fairy tales.

Comical yet tender, Sunderella contains both ironic humour and innocent romance, blended together for a delightful show catering to kids of all ages. Director Bali Padda imbues a delicious camp sensibility throughout the piece, and along with choreographer Zeenat Parveen, deliver something that shimmers reflexively, both on the surface, and from within its vivacious heart. Costumes by Parveen, Shurobhi Banerjee and Mishty Lal, are gloriously assembled, and lights by James Wallis are just as spectacular, for a production that satisfies with its visual sumptuousness.

Parveen further impresses, as performer in the role of The Goddess, with sparkling charisma and a marvellously disciplined physicality, that provides some level of polish, to a presentation that is otherwise memorable for its stable of raw talent. Shabnam Tavakol is strong as the vicious Stepmother, leaving no ambiguity regarding her malicious intentions. The handsome Prince Nirad is played by Nickin Alexander, who brings a valuable earnestness that gives the storytelling a believable anchor. The titular part of Sunderella is shared by Mohini Dixit and Adish Jain, both demonstrating good commitment, to elicit our emotional investment into their show.

The ease with which Prince Nirad was able to adjust to the discovery, that his love is more a man, than a woman, is indeed a refreshing change from what feels like a centuries-long fabrication, that the only appropriate response for a situation of this nature, is panic. It may be with Sunderella that we learn to re-classify the prince as pansexual, or it may be that we learn to ameliorate the way we understand gender, so that those who are disadvantaged because of gender disparities, can begin to live reclaim all they deserve.

www.sunderella.com.au

In Rehearsal: 1790: A Tale Not Often Told

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1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia
1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia
1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia
1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia
1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia
1790: A Tale Not Often Told 2014 Founding Modern Australia

Rehearsal images above from 1790: A Tale Not Often Told by Founding Modern Australia.
At Darling Quarter Theatre, from Nov 13 – 15, 2014.
More info at www.foundingmodernaustralia.com.au

5 Questions with Lasarus Ratuere

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by

lasarusratuereWhat is your favourite swear word?
Slutface.

What are you wearing?
10.Deep and Rick Owens.

What is love?
Love is… rolling around in bed with fresh sheets, a fresh grilled fish salad, glasses with the umbrellas in ’em and my family.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The Effect, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
It’s gonna be a spectacular ride of heart, laughter and landscape.

 

Lasarus Ratuere is appearing in 1790: A Tale Not Often Told, with Founding Modern Australia.
Show dates: 13 – 15 Nov, 2014
Show venue: Darling Quarter Theatre

Review: Trafficked (Darling Quarter Theatre)

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traffickedVenue: Darling Quarter Theatre (Darling Harbour NSW), Jun 13 – 15, 2014
Playwright: Carli Carey
Director: Carli Carey
Cast: Sorcha Harrop, Amy Fisher, Michael Smith, Jace Pickard, Isaac Reefman

Theatre review
The play begins with television news reports from a commercial station about the subject of human trafficking and modern slavery. As is often the case with commercial news, the stories are sensationalist, and the network’s watermarked logo exists almost as a reminder to take everything we see with a grain of salt. Of course, its themes are genuine, but we have learned as a society to remain sceptical about the things we are told, and we demand concrete evidence before outrageous claims can be believed.

Trafficked tells horrific tales of young Australians in captivity and enslaved. They look and sound like any young adult we know, and are even of Caucasian appearance. The play subjects them to incredible cruelty, and tells their stories with earnest fervour. The characters are intertwined and build relationships with each other, but everything they say is addressed directly to the audience. It feels like documentary, but there is absolutely no indication that their words are not entirely fiction. Their stories are unbelievable, and we struggle to be convinced by anyone.

Performances are uneven, but Michael Smith and Sorcha Harrop work hard to make their parts meaningful. They have good focus, and show excellent commitment in tricky moments of melodrama. Smith has a good presence that makes him the most memorable element of the production. Harrop succeeds in encouraging some empathy, and impresses with the stamina she displays for her arduous role.

Technical aspects are very lacking. Light and sound design are poorly judged, and execution seems to go awry from start to end. It is obvious that there is a serious lack of experience in the crew, and it is unfortunate that a more accomplished production manager had not been assigned to assist and nourish this young crew.

Every project in the arts is an opportunity to grow. Director Carli Carey and her team have not created a masterpiece on this occasion, but they have succeeded in turning talk into action. They have put money where their mouths are, and are therefore one step ahead of those who dream but do nothing.

www.traffickedproject.com