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This page contains "news" and "reviews" - from Australia / New Zealand! - could you help?
If you are interested submitting news of forthcoming productions or a review of a show in your Country for publication on this page - please email me:
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AUSTRALIA
Theatre News & Reviews
by Peter Kemp
why not visit Peter's own 'homepage'
pktheatre.com
and for DIRECT CONTACT for what's on in OZ - contact Peter direct at: peterwi@net2000.com.au
Magnormos
The Thing About Men
Director: Aaron Joyner Season: July 3 – 12, 2008.
A story of infidelity and why it is OK for men but not for their wives. Also about big business and how it can change lives.
A well set sage with the home of the married couple on audience left, the artist’s loft on audience right with the centre varying from a park bench, a taxi, two bars and a confessional.
The husband/advertising director Tom was well played by Chris Parker. Tom had several affairs but when he found he found his wife was having an affair well! That was a different matter.
Tom’s wife was Lucy played with finesse by Laura Fitzpatrick. Lucy’s boyfriend Sebastian was played by Liam Pederson. Pederson captured the character of a down and out artist to on the go advertising executive with ease and looked relaxed in the role.
The man was played by Lyall Brooks who had a challenging job of playing many characters from a bystander to a taxi driver to a priest to a drunk. A great performance of being able to change characters with such apparent ease.
The woman was played by Nicolette Minster. Minster also had many characters partnering Brooks and Tom’s mistress. Another good interpretation of so many changes of characters.
An interesting challenging play handled very smoothly and one not to be missed.
Her Majesty’s Theatre
SPAMALOT
Director: Mike Nichols
Musical Director: Peter Casey
Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw.
For Monty Python fans this is it. A musical of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Very close to the original film which as the program says a new musical lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Also the show includes a touch from The Life of Brian and Fiddler on the Roof.
Reading the program convinced one that this would have to be a Monty Python production as it opened with a description of a new Moosical Dik ?d Triaaanenen F?l (Finns Ain’t What They Used To Be)
And the opening number after the narrator announced this story was set in the year 932 in England was set in Finland.
A very good interpretation of Finland folk music and dance plus background until the narrator returns and emphatically announce “ I said England not Finland” All the performers looked at each other saying sorry and walked off stage then the scene changed to England of the period with Arthur searching for knights.
A well constructed production with great stage settings using all the stage including an enchanter flying in on a rocket propelled broomstick. In true Monty Python tradition there were breaks with film clips interspersed, a cow being thrown across a castle, the killer rabbit with his attack very realistic.
The main cast of nine all but three played various characters very successfully. Billie Brown made an imposing King Arthur. Brown has excellent stage presentation and had the right attitude for a King whose subjects either had no knowledge that they had a king or had no respect for authority. A hard working player was Derek Metzger as Patsy the King’s servant. All the program he carried all Arthur’s luggage plus clapping the coconut shells for the horse rhythms. He also played the Mayor and Guard 2.. Metzger gave a good performance in all characters but Patsy was the outstanding effort.
Mark Conaghan was the Historian who announced the show plus Not dead Fred, French guard, Minstrel, Prince Hubert.. A good performance in all roles.
Jason Langley was Sir Robin the slightly cowardly Knight who had trouble with his bowels at any sign of danger, described as not so brave as Sir Lancelot. Langley captured the character with finesse giving a good portrayal both as Sir robin and Brother Maynard.
Sir Lancelot, the French Taunter, Knight of Ni. Tim the enchanter were played by Stephen Hall. A very good stage presentation n all roles particularly as the Knight of Ni.
Dennis, Sir Galahad, The Black Knight, Prince Hubert’s Father were performed by Ben Lewis. Not an easy task changing from the argumentative Dennis to the huge demanding father of Prince Hubert.
David Whitney was Dennis’s mother, Sir Belvedere, Concorde. A good interpretation particularly as Dennis’s mother an imposing woman peasant who stood no nonsense from even a King.
Lucinda Shaw was the Lady of the Lake who was upset in the second act about her lack of role. Shaw has a wonderful voice good stage appearance and the right sense of the ridiculous for such a production.
The last main character was only heard but his legs did come into view. This was God played by John Cleese.
The set changed from Finland, the English countryside, various castles in England with a French castle thrown in, a life size cow thrown over the French battlements, a dark and very expensive forest, The holy Grail being found in the most unusual place. A very entertaining musical which sticks to the true Monty Python tradition.
The Australian Premiere season opened December 1 at Her Majesty’s Theatre Exhibition Street Melbourne. Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012.
NEW ZEALAND
NEWS and REVIEWS
Theatre News & Reviews
by John Curry
For more details or individual advice/help - email:
GPowner@aol.com