Tag Archives: old fitzroy theatre

Review: Legend! (Decorum / Sydney Independent Theatre Company)

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legend1Venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Jan 28 – Feb 15, 2014
Playwright: Pat Sheil
Director: Lex Marinos
Actor: John Derum
Image by Katy Green Loughrey

Theatre review
‘Slips’ Cordon is in his home, reminiscing. We don’t know why, or who it is he speaks to, but there is certainly no shortage of tall tales to share. Pat Sheil toys with our “European history” in his script, re-writing events involving our iconic war heroes, legendary sporting personalities, celebrated performers, and various significant political figures of times past. These revisions are amusing, and depending on your level of affinity with the “source material”, possibly even hilarious.

Cordon is played by the effortlessly charming John Derum, who carves out a character that is immediately endearing. This is an actor who revels in spinning yarns, and his enjoyment of the limelight is infectious. We are drawn in and are glad to be his captive audience. Derum is excellent at punchlines. Indeed, the show does at times, feel like a stand up comedy routine, where a comedian simply tells jokes, without much concern for context or character development. We do not learn very much about Cordon, but he does make us laugh.

This is a clever script that could work well in the form of a novella, but Derum’s interpretation adds a dimension of time and place that is strangely (and ironically) authentic, even though we are free to imagine where and when the action before our eyes actually takes place. Legend! is only mildly iconoclastic. In fact there is an air of reverence for these legends that hangs heavily over the production. Rest assured that our sacred cows are left unscathed.

www.sitco.net.au

5 Questions with John Derum

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johnderumWhat is your favourite swear word?
Feck! – It took the Irish to come up with a swear more powerful in more combinations than the Anglo Saxons could imagine.

What are you wearing?
Out! There comes a time in longish lives that only just precedes the state of being “worn out”. It is the state of wearing out… fast!

What is love?
It is cruelly ironic that in the scorebook of this sporting life, love is what you get when you fail to score.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
You mean, all the way through?!!! Penelope was top draw! Always good to see a strong silent woman discombobulate ambitious men! They were all stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
When an unreliable irascible know-all decides to tell-all and destroy the reputations of a nation’s heroes – be afraid, be very afraid. Some insensitive people will laugh uproariously throughout. More sensitive folk will groan and wince and wish they were watching someone more emotionally nurturing like Ricky Gervais, or Larry David. Legend! is an outrage. A disgrace. ‘Slips’ Cordon must be stopped!

John Derum stars in Legend!, from Sydney Independent Theatre Co’s 2014 season.
Show dates: 28 Jan – 15 Feb, 2014
Show venue: The Old Fitzroy Hotel

Review: Wittenberg (Brevity Theatre / Sydney Independent Theatre Company)

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rsz_wittenbergVenue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Jan 7 – 25, 2014
Playwright: David Davalos
Director: Richard Hilliar
Actors: David Woodland, Alexander Butt, Nick Curnow, Lana Kershaw

Theatre review
Wittenberg is a play that examines the struggle between theology and philosophy. We are positioned along with Hamlet (in his younger years) in the centre of the action, caught between reason and religion. David Davalos’ text is a dense one. Western literature is referenced relentlessly, creating a post-modern structure based on citations of classical concepts, characters and quotations.

Richard Hilliar’s direction is confident and precise. He places equal emphasis on dramatics and content, ensuring a show that appeals intellectually and is also fabulously entertaining. Hilliar does his best to make sense of the lines, which are frequently academic and cerebral, and while some of us might find it challenging to absorb everything, the direction succeeds in keeping us engaged at all times.

Design elements of the production are simple, elegant and effective. The set in particular, works well with the space and the performers. Lighting is creative but also unintrusive. It is a pleasure to see the Old Fitzroy stage given some three-dimensionality and lightness.

Performances are consistently strong, and all actors seem to be very thoroughly rehearsed. Intentions are clear, and their control over their tricky lines are very accomplished. David Woodland’s performance however, is completely show stealing. His portrayal of John Faustus is charismatic, committed and irresistibly convincing. He has a fearless approach that effervesces unceasingly, and he resonates strongly at every turn. We hear his points of view clearly, and we empathise with his vulnerabilities. His co-actors are not weak by any stretch of the imagination, but the show becomes unintentionally asymmetrical in its intellectual arguments due to the overwhelming persuasiveness of one side.

Ultimately, this is not a play that seeks to change anyone’s core beliefs, but it reminds us of the other, and the values it holds close. Wittenberg is about the plurality of our existences, and the constant negotiations we endure in making sense of our daily lives.

www.facebook.com/BrevityTheatreCo

5 Questions with Ashley Bell

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ashleybellWhat is your favourite swear word?
‘Fuck’ has a multitude of uses, and I’m a big fan of versatility.

What are you wearing?
A knitted green and gold Gorman dress. So blatantly Australiana! However I feel wool was a bad choice on such a muggy Sydney day. Sweat’s sexy, right?!

What is love?
“…Baby don’t hurt me.”

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The last show I was meant to see was Summertime In The Garden Of Eden last week by Sisters Grimm/Griffin Theatre, but something came up and I didn’t get to go which was such a shame because I heard it was amazing! Lots of glitzy drag, exotica and American deep south references, with lots of cultural and gender reversals. It sounds like something I’d be right into, design-wise, so I’m thinking of re-booking so I don’t miss out!

Is your new show going to be any good?
Of course! The cast and crew are enthusiastic and passionate, and we’ve got a great script and great talent ready to show Sydney what they’ve got.

Ashley Bell is Costume Designer for Wittenberg.
Show dates: 7 – 25 Jan, 2014
Show venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre

5 Questions with Lana Kershaw

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lanakershawWhat is your favourite swear word?
*Bleep* face – if well articulated it’s a delightful blend of vulgarity and humour.

What are you wearing?
Some hideously gorgeous 80’s-inspired-patterned-florescent-lycra-bike-pants, and a black shirt (or what I like to call ‘evening attire’).

What is love?
Love is a deep and unrelenting longing, whose momentary satisfactions justify a lifetime of desire.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The last show I saw was King Lear at The Old Fitz. It was a lovely production, with some really beautiful and poignant moments. Five stars!

Is your new show going to be any good?
The Brevity team are working to develop a show that audiences will find engaging, entertaining, and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic script, and I’m honoured to be part of the company that is introducing it to Sydney.

Lana Kershaw is appearing in Wittenberg.
Show dates: 7 – 25 Jan, 2013
Show venue: The Old Fitzroy Theatre

5 Questions with James Townsend

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jamestownsendWhat is your favourite swear word?
Are you gonna print that? Geez… I’m going to stick with the one I use the most and the ever versatile, fuck.

What are you wearing?
An oversized vintage green jacket, dark tee, skinny black jeans with rips at the knee and black chucks.

What is love?
A chemical imbalance in the brain? Or maybe it’s balance. Either way it tends to make you do things.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Hamlet at Belvoir, 4 stars

Is your new show going to be any good?
That’s not for me to decide, we’ve worked hard on both of them and it’s for an audience to receive it and they hopefully respond positively. The reviews so far suggest we’re doing great work. Very encouraging.

James Townsend is appearing in Sydney Shakespeare Festival.
Show dates: 20 Nov – 21 Dec, 2013
Show venue: The Old Fitzroy Hotel

5 Questions with Amy Scott-Smith

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amyscottsmithWhat is your favourite swear word?
“Abott” and “sprance”…

What are you wearing?
Everyone else’s patience.

What is love?
It’s something you put your hand in to keep it warm… Oh wait that’s wrong. Then I don’t know.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Our director, Richard Hilliar did a sexy dance for me the other day… that was pretty good. Two stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Our new shows: King Lear and Measure For Measure are going to be sprancing amazing they will be the motherabotting epitome of epic.

 

 

Amy Scott-Smith is appearing in Sydney Shakespeare Festival.
Show dates: 20 Nov – 21 Dec, 2013
Show venue: The Old Fitzroy Hotel

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2014 Theatre Highlights

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Here’s a list of theatre productions in the 2014 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras festival season.
These are the most exciting events in the Mardi Gras calendar for me, and I cannot wait to go see them!
Other events including cabaret performances and visual art exhibitions can be seen at www.mardigras.org.au.

Falsettos Darlinghurst Theatre Venue: Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Date: Feb 7 – Mar 16

Falsettos
Darlinghurst Theatre
Venue: Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst
Date: Feb 7 – Mar 16

Privates On Parade New Theatre V enue: New Theatre, Newtown Date: Feb 11 – Mar 8

Privates On Parade
New Theatre
Venue: New Theatre, Newtown
Date: Feb 11 – Mar 8

Pinball Duck Duck Goose Theatre Co Venue: TAP Gallery Date: Feb 11 - 28

Pinball
Duck Duck Goose Theatre Co
Venue: TAP Gallery
Date: Feb 11 – 28

The Death Of Kings Adam Deusien Venue: Gingers Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst Date: Feb 13 - 19

The Death Of Kings
Director: Adam Deusien
Venue: Gingers Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst
Date: Feb 13 – 19

Discovering Eugenia Devisor: Mark Tedeschi QC Venue: Police and Justice Museum, Sydney Date: Feb 13

Discovering Eugenia
Devisor: Mark Tedeschi QC
Venue: Police and Justice Museum, Sydney
Date: Feb 13

Jump For Jordan Griffin Theatre Company Venue: SBW Stables Theatre Date: Feb 14 - Mar 29

Jump For Jordan
Griffin Theatre Company
Venue: SBW Stables Theatre
Date: Feb 14 – Mar 29

The Dead Ones Vitalstatistix Theatre Company Venue: Seymour Centre, Chippendale Date: Feb 18 - 22

The Dead Ones
Vitalstatistix Theatre Company
Venue: Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Date: Feb 18 – 22

Everything I Know I Learnt From Madonna Devisor: Wayne Tunks Venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre, Woolloomooloo Date: Feb 18 - 22

Everything I Know I Learnt From Madonna
Tunks Productions
Venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre, Woolloomooloo
Date: Feb 18 – 22

Desperate Houseboys Matthew Management & Neil Gooding Productions Venue: Seymour Centre, Chippendale Date: Feb 18 - 28

Desperate Houseboys
Matthew Management & Neil Gooding Productions
Venue: Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Date: Feb 18 – 28

Bata-Me! (Popwitch) Director: Diego Bagagal Venue: TBA Date: Feb 25 - 28

Bata-Me! (Popwitch)
Director: Diego Bagagal
Venue: TBA
Date: Feb 25 – 28

An Ordinary Person (Sydney Independent Theatre Company)

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anordinarypersonVenue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Oct 22 – Nov 16, 2013
Playwright: Robert Allan
Director: Julie Baz
Actors: Cherilyn Price, Alexander Butt, Mel Dodge, Jai Higgs, David Jeffrey, Carla Nirella
Image by Katy Green Loughrey

Theatre review
At the heart of An Ordinary Person is an unusual relationship. It is an unconventional marriage not often represented on stage, but it is an entirely believable one. Robert Allan has written an interesting story, and he has crafted characters that are idiosyncratic, curious and memorable. The structure of the plot, however, is a challenging one. The show’s first half is full of intrigue, but not much else. It takes its time introducing the various characters in an air of mystery, but the audience needs a stronger sense of the impending drama for these characters to be compelling. Fortunately, the second half is much more satisfying, with drama bursting at all its seams.

Performing the piece is an ensemble of uniformly strong actors. Cherilyn Price is particularly impressive, playing her character Aggie at two different ages. She switches effectively between the portrayal of a middle-aged woman and her 14 year-old version, without the use of costumes or makeup, relying only on her acting. It is quite an experience to see Price’s method in her subtle but distinct transformations. Carla Nirella plays Fiona, and stands out with the effortless intensity and conviction she brings to the production. Her role is a simple one, but she attacks it with clarity and energy, giving very solid support to the key characters.

The play’s themes are dark and uncommon but Julie Baz’s direction does not exploit them gratuitously. She is careful to depict all characters with compassion, so that we leave the show thinking about our society’s issues in a mirror that reflects the social, rather than the personal. Although fundamentally a singular species, ordinary persons bear infinite differences between each and every separate entity. It is in the meeting of these individuals that extraordinary things happen, good or bad.

www.sitco.net.au

5 Questions with Jai Higgs

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jaihiggs1What is your favourite swear word?
Definitely CUNT. Sound it out. C-u-n-t… Feel how each sound moves further forward in your mouth, starting the back of the throat and ending with a sharp, direct spit? It’s like the word is designed to cut through the air and attack the listener. I know it sounds like I’ve over-thought the trajectory of this word, but it’s only because my character unleashes the c-bomb a couple of times in this show, honestly…

What are you wearing?
My corporate slave-wear. Please come and see An Ordinary Person so that we can all make millions and I can overthrow my capitalist overlords to devote my life unceasingly to my craft.

What is love?
A battlefield. Am I right, ladies??

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Miss Julie at Belvoir. 4.5 stars. What the actual fuck? It was the most intense piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time. I sat in my seat for five minutes afterwards trying to digest what had just happened.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Fuck yeah. It’s going to make King Lear look like Mean Girls.

Jai Higgs is appearing in An Ordinary Person.
Show dates: 22 Oct – 16 Nov, 2013
Show venue: The Old Fitzroy Hotel