Reviews

Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: One Infinity explores ideas of cultural exchange through incredible contemporary dance

I have a single word for you. Wow! Walking into Malthouse Theatre, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. The audience was split in two, both facing each other on opposite sides of the black lacquered stage, which is set up minimally with Eastern Asian instruments. We are told to mirror the women who sit…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: Campagnie Carabosse’s Fire Gardens light up Royal Botanic Gardens

Fire and gardens… it’s not exactly what you expect to go together isn’t it? Yet as the sun starts to set across Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens are only just lighting up with a (completely sold out) installation churning with people and garden pots filled with flames. Different, immersive and enveloped in an eerie atmosphere,…

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Review: Shatner’s World is a warm, funny and occasionally surprising evening with a celluloid legend (Perth)

Monday night saw William Shatner kick off the Australian tour of his one-man show Shatner’s World: The Return Down Under in Perth. It was an evening of warmth, humour and philosophical musings. All. Delivered. In. That. Distinctive. Cadence. However, it was also not without its surprises. For example, whilst Shatner is likely best known for his role…

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Melbourne International Arts Festival Review: My Name is Jimi is keeping Wagadagam culture burning bright

“There is a Fire, a bright flame that was lit in the past, it is still burning but the woods are burning out. My job is to put new woods in to keep the Fire burning.” This is a quote created and practiced by Jimi Bani‘s late grandfather, Adhi Ephraim Bani Jr. The fire represents…

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Live Review: Canberra’s National Gallery American Masters: Friday Night Live feat. Brass Knuckle Brass Band

Coinciding with the National Gallery of Australia’s American Masters exhibition, featuring classic American artwork from the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Morris, Roy Lichtenstein, the National Gallery of Australia announced a “Friday Night Live” event, with live music and dance acting as support and accompaniment to a selection of the artwork. The exhibition primarily includes works…

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Melbourne Fringe Review: The sounds of Woodstock explode in the tremendous Yasgur’s Farm

The year is 1969. It’s the middle of August, summer is coming to a close but as you descend on the property of Max Yasgur for one of the single biggest events in music history, the air is notably warm with the throng of 400,000 bodies. With one of the most prolific musical lineups known,…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Zoe Lyons – Entry Level Human (Performances to August 26th)

Having made a name for herself on Live at the Apollo (BBC Two), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Room 101 (BBC One) and regularly heard on BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz, Just a Minute, The Now Show and plenty more, the popular Brighton based comic Zoe Lyons has returned to the Fringe with her new…

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Arts Review: Bowie Unseen celebrates the handsome and chameleon artist in a series of rare photographs

David Bowie may have been Messer Jones, Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke. But there was no question that this chameleon artist was also one handsome and photogenic man. Blender Gallery are celebrating this with a new exhibition titled Bowie Unseen, which is also part of the Head On Photo Festival. Bowie Unseen includes…

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Arts Review: Adman: Warhol before pop shows a different side to the influential artist

For most people the iconic artist, Andy Warhol is synonymous with the colourful pop art of Campbell’s soup cans, portraits of Marilyn Monroe and the record sleeves from The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones. What some people may not realise is that Andy Warhol was an accomplished commercial illustrator and draftsman who worked in…

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Arts review: Point & Shoot – An Exploration of Music Photography, Crowbar, Brisbane (6/9 – 9/9)

Point & Shoot – An Exploration of Music Photography has returned to Brisbane’s Crowbar for it’s 2016 run. AU Reviewer Jodie Fairclough headed to the Fortitude Valley venue to check out this year’s offering. Curated once again by The Brisbane Collective, Point & Shoot is a four day showcase of some of the local area’s most…

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Arts Review: Megan Hilty in Concert – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (8.6.2016)

An open letter to Megan Hilty. Dear Megan, Hi, my name is Kara. You may remember me from the other day. Or not? I bumped into you outside The Langham Hotel in Melbourne as you were wrapping up a photo shoot. You startled me. I honestly couldn’t believe I’d met you. Let me tell you, the…

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Arts Review: Songs for a New World – Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne (Performances until June 12)

What better way to spend a wintery Sunday afternoon than at the theatre soaking up all the incredible orchestrations by the one and only, Jason Robert Brown. As you enter The Loft at the iconic Chapel Off Chapel you are wistfully calmed by the sounds of a lapping sea, as a ship with its mast…

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Arts Review: The Imperial Bells of China, Capitol Theatre, Sydney (25.05.16)

The Imperial Bells of China is all at once a vivid display of colour and sound and a glimpse into a revived culture right before your eyes, and I’m not sure which part I enjoyed more! Narrated in Chinese, the staging offers English subtitles so we can follow the tale. We are introduced to State…

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Arts Review: Ships in the Night #13 – Paper Mountain, Perth (19.05.16)

Ships in the Night is Perth’s bi-monthly celebration of words and music, bringing together and showcasing new writers and bands. Last week’s event was the first since a successful outing at the Perth Fringe World. Instalment #13 was a certainly a mixed affair. Ultimately I found it to be disappointing and a little disorganised – though…

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Arts Review: Singin’ in the Rain – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne (Performances until June 5th)

For many who aspire to be on the stage, Singin’ in the Rain is one of those shows that ignites the fire within and allows us to dream the dream and hope to one day turn it into a reality. On Saturday night, the Australian premiere of this iconic show fulfilled every heart’s desire as Adam Garcia,…

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Arts Review: Carole King: The Songbook of Her Life – Arts Centre Melbourne

You wouldn’t necessarily think a show dedicated to the legacy of Carole King would resonate so profoundly to a younger audience. Let it be known that this show is for absolutely anyone who has a connection with music, a respect for the truth and a deep-seeded love for nourishing your soul. As we are taken…

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Arts Review: The Detective’s Handbook – Hayes Theatre Co (Performances until 7th May)

Who knew the old trope of the hard-boiled detective paired with eager up-and-coming youth set to solve crime and make safe the streets could be so smoothly re-imagined as a musical? An utterly hilarious musical at that! Ian Ferrington, writer of “The Detective’s Handbook” sure did. For hilarious it is. The audience could hardly save…

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Arts Review: The Original Grease – Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre (Performances to 7th May)

Just when you thought you were so sure that you knew the story of Grease, Squabbalogic is here to revive THE ORIGINAL GREASE for all of our grimy reeducations. The original is dark and dingy, full of the sex and swearing of the rock ‘n’ roll era that our bubblegum Pink Ladies and swarve T-Birds know…

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Arts Review: Annie – Bankstown Theatre Company (Performances to 20th March)

Annie, that curly redheaded good-hearted orphan and quite possible epitome of the family friendly musical. It is this charm that makes Annie such a perfect choice for any smaller independent theatre companies. Particularly with a younger cast as there’s just something that gets you in the “smiling” mood about being in a crowd full of…

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Arts Review: Little Shop of Horrors – Hayes Theatre (Australian Tour)

Little Shop of Horrors, the musical where a giant man-eating plant takes center stage (or majority of the stage really). Oh, and it sings. Very sassily. If that doesn’t sell it for you then maybe you need to revisit your theatre needs. This is a quirky dark comedy is brought to you by the very…

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Arts Review: Romeo and Juliet – Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Opera House (Australian Tour)

The world’s most recognized story proves it’s still got something new to share in this latest production of Romeo and Juliet by Bell Shakespeare. Whether it be in the heights of the stage’s scaffold set, or the choreography of its power swordplay, or in the hilarious delivery of well-loved lines that we never knew we…

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Arts Review: Mayhem Kings Cross 1945 – Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney (15.02.16)

Inspired by events in and around Kings Cross at the end of the Second World War, Mayhem Kings Cross 1945 at the opulent Elizabeth Bay House was a celebration of the end of the war and a way to bid farewell to American GI’s returning home. A coloration between Sydney Living Museums and The Festivalists,…

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Arts Review: Stephen Schwartz in Conversation with Leigh Sales – Theatre Royal

From writing some of our most beloved pieces of musical theatre, including Wicked, Pippin and Godspell, to some of our most treasured songs from the likes of Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt, Stephen Schwartz has touched our music-filled hearts in one way or another. Currently in Australia for Defying…

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Arts Review: Luisa Miller – Opera Australia (performances until 29th Feb)

Luisa Miller is a lesser known earlier opera of Verdi, it’s name perhaps less extravagant then his La Traviata, Don Carlos or Aida, but in its musical telling are far more applicable characters and a genuinely beautiful yet tragic tale of love. This production by Opera Australia is a co-production with Opera de Lausanne of…

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Arts Review: The Barber of Seville – Opera Australia, Sydney (Performances to 22nd March)

Some fun facts about The Barber of Seville that I didn’t know going in is that it is based on a novel and is actually the prequel for The Marriage of Figaro, despite Seville being the work of Rossini and Figaro of Mozart. Having of course seen Opera Australia’s The Marriage of Figaro last year…

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Arts Review: Miss Universal by Atlanta Eke – Chunky Move Studios, Melbourne (Performances to December 12th)

One of the beautiful things about contemporary dance is its ability to transcend mediums not often explored by mainstream dance disciplines. However, when it comes down to it, there does need to be a message that isn’t clouded by obscurity and organic motive. Miss Universal is Atlanta Eke’s second work commissioned in the Next Move…

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Arts Review: Jerry’s Girls – the Production Company – Arts Centre Melbourne (Performances To December 6)

What a breath of fresh air for Australian musical theatre. In recent years, we’ve tried to create our own original work but it hasn’t always translated. Well, let me tell you; this one translates. Starring 11 of the industry’s most dazzling ladies comes a show dedicated to celebrating the works of American composer and lyricist…

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Arts Review: SDS1 – Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), Perth (On Tour through October)

‘The Beautiful Game’ is a well worn cliché that is off trotted out when talking about football. It seems to be the best you need to not only have tactical know how; but also have some fleet and fancy footwork and an array of tricks to outwit the opposing team’s defenders – I’m thinking your…

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Festival of Dangerous Ideas Recap: Peter Greste "Journalistic Freedom" – Sydney Opera House (05.09.15)

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy… but it’s brought you all here today.” Peter Greste knows that journalists don’t have the best reputation at the moment. He even puts them up with used car salesmen and politicians in public opinion. But all jokes aside, Greste spoke at this year’s Festival…

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Arts Review: An Evening With Cornel West – The Astor Theatre, Perth (10.06.15)

Fresh from his crowd pleasing appearance on ABC’s Q&A, American philosopher and activist Cornel West appeared at The Astor Theatre in Perth for the first of a series of lectures around Australia, speaking primarily about race relations and the forced closures of aboriginal communities. Over the course of his career West has been a regular…

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