SUNDAY at the MTC is one helluva play with a stunning performance from Nikki Shiels as Sunday Reed. I doubt if I will see a better acting performance this year on a Melbourne stage. Actually, everyone is wonderful including Matt Day as John Reed and Josh McConville as Sidney Nolan. The play is 3 hours long but the performances and writing are so strong that I overlooked the time. The play is said to be in the style of something like David Hare’s Plenty. But it felt more like an Aussie version of O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night, particularly in the second act, only with a handful of performers, five actors all up. If you have an interest in Australian art (Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series) and great acting (I mean GREAT acting, thanks Nikki) and theatre like it’s supposed to be… challenging and at times unsettling but in the end rewarding…then this is a must-see show set in Heide about an unconventional threesome. A brilliant production for the first show of 2023 from the Melbourne Theatre Company.
The stage musical, & Juliet, at the Regent Theatre is a winning show that makes for a lively night out. If you love pop music (and who doesn’t), you are sure to enjoy it. The staging, lighting, design, and casting are all on point. In fact, it’s hard to pick a fault at all. The story (who cares really) is based on Romeo and Juliet, and the simple idea of, “What if Shakespeare changed the ending of his play? And he doesn’t kill the star-crossed lovers off?” The musical continues on from there. This reimagining of Romeo and Juliet pokes fun at modern life and even asks us to re-evaluate our thoughts on gender. The mostly young cast (mixed with well-known Aussie musical theatre stars) give it all they’ve got and are mostly big-stage confident. I did notice the odd moment of uncertainty on a few faces on the night, but hey… it was a preview performance. Part history lesson, part musical, and often a big pop concert, & Juliet could be the standout musical of 2023. I absolutely loved it ❤️
I went to 2.22 A Ghost Story last night with my friend. I expected a lot (perhaps too much) after reading several overseas reviews. While it is well produced and performed, Daniel MacPherson a standout and the best-written character, I found the surprise ending was a bit of a letdown. If it was written by Stephen King there would have been blood 🩸 But it’s not! What 2:22 does well is examine the notion of “ghosting” and gaslighting, the type that occurs in dysfunctional relationships. It’s also very funny. The set design and sound design get full marks, and the script when you think back is clever. But I expected a bigger bang at the end! 2:22 A Ghost Story is an entertaining production that unfortunately left me wanting more cheap thrills and another ride on the roller coaster.
I just got back from the first performance of ‘Loaded’ by Christos Tsiolkas. Do you remember the Aussie film adaptation “Head On” with Alex Dimitriades released, believe it or not, 25 years ago? Same author and story, only this time done live on stage. Now, I enjoyed the book and the film and I really liked this Malthouse production. The lead actor Danny Ball gives an incredible performance. I could watch him act all night. Being critical, it could do with at least 10 minutes shaved off the running time. But it was a preview performance, so all is forgiven. A one-man show requires you to surrender totally to the performance. Years of watching theatre (and working with actors myself) have oiled me up well and truly, and I can give myself over body and soul to a live performance. Some people, my friends I went to see Loaded with tonight, struggled. Consequently, I came out raving about Loaded (well done Danny Ball and Stephen Nicolazzo, your hard work was appreciated), but my mates weren’t raving. Oh, well. Someone in the group is always going to have a different opinion, aren’t they? Loaded is definitely adult entertainment, with its beautifully written X-rated dialogue. It’s a piece written for anyone who has ever dreamed of getting lost in the night. Because I enjoyed the performance, I guess that must be me! Sexy, well-acted, terrific writing…did I mention challenging? Loaded isn’t for everyone (as my friends told me in the taxi on the way home), but it was perfect for me 😊
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