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Review: Wonka (2023)

Opens in Australian cinemas from December 14, 2023
Directed by Paul King
2023, 116 mins, Warner Bros.
Starring Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key,
Paterson Joseph, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant

News: ‘Wicked’ Arriving in Melbourne March 2024

Wicked – the phenomenally successful musical is wowing audiences in Sydney right now, as it continues its stellar run at the Lyric Theatre. But Melbourne audiences will not have to wait long until it heads south to the city’s iconic Regent Theatre, kicking off the third run in the city, following previous productions in 2008 and 2014.

To celebrate the announcement of its Melbourne leg kicking off in March 2024 as well as the fact that tickets are going on sale on Friday the 20th of October, Lord Mayor Sally Capp welcomed the show’s two stars – Courtney Monsma (who plays Glinda) and Sheridan Adams (Elphaba) – who arrived in full costume and make-up to help promote the show’s return to Melbourne for the first time in almost 10 years. Added to this was the presence of an enormous Wicked-themed hot air balloon, which was not defying gravity sadly as it was anchored to the ground, but it certainly loomed large in the distance on a perfect Melbourne morning.

Review: Driftwood The Musical

Playing at Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne until May 20.
Glen Street Theatre, Sydney from May 24-28.
Riverside Parramatta, Sydney from 31 May-4 June
The Eternity Playhouse, Sydney from June 7-18.

Tickets and more info can be found at: https://driftwoodthemusical.com.au/

Review: Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre (2023)

Playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre until March 26, Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre from 8-16 April, the Canberra Theatre from 11-21 May, Brisbane’s QPAC Playhouse from May 26-June 10 and Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre from June 15-24.

Tickets and more info: https://themousetrap.com.au/

Review: Tick, Tick… Boom!

Playing at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne until February 12
The QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane from 1-5 March
The Lyric Theatre, Sydney from 20-26 April
Tickets and more info at: https://ticktickboomthemusical.com.au/

Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre (2022)

Charles Dickens’ timeless tale will be adapted and re-told as long as there are theatres and TV and movie screens in the world, with the magic of his story being that, while it’s a relatively simple tale, the impact of its message is never diluted through re-telling.

So, while we have seen many an adaptation of the novella over the years, stage versions of the play are not too common on the local stage, compared to Europe where they are much more of a Christmas tradition. It’s wonderful to see this tradition come to the Australian stages so that Christmas-loving theatregoers can get into the festive spirit early, given we’re still a few weeks out from Christmas Day itself.

Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Playing at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne until January 15, 2023. Opening at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in February, 2023.

The one question I had rolling around in my head over and over again after seeing this latest production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was – is this the catchiest, most upbeat and fun musical ever created? It may very well be, and this revival of the evergreen biblical romp from the legendary team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice might just be the most exuberant interpretation of the show we’ve seen here in Australia.

Review: ‘Jagged Little Pill – The Musical’ at Comedy Theatre, Melbourne (2022)

Now playing at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne until March 16 Playing at the Crown Theatre, Perth from May 14-June 5 and returning to Sydney’s Theatre Royal in July 2022

Jukebox musicals are often a risky proposition. Crafting a narrative out of a collection of songs from a specific era or artist is a difficult thing, and for every Mamma Mia! or Rock of Ages, there are countless other musicals which have adopted this technique but haven’t quite pulled it off.

Thankfully though, Jagged Little Pill, using Alanis Morrisette’s landmark 1995 album as its basis, is one of the best examples of how to do this type of show correctly. With a book by Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult), and featuring hits such as You Oughta Know, Ironic and Hand in My Pocket, this story of a fractured family is a moving and heartfelt one, and the characters are all well-realised and three dimensional.

Review: Adults Only Magic Show

As part of the 2021 Melbourne Magic Festival

Playing at the Houdini Theatre @ Arrow On Swanston, from July 6-10

The brainchild of a supremely talented Melbourne-based magic duo – Sam and Justin – Adults Only Magic Show is exactly what it says on the tin, but while it does get quite raunchy at times, it’s also unexpectedly sweet and a vigorously good natured show pulled off with aplomb by two master magicians. Even with an 18+ warning on the posters, it’s highly unlikely anyone would find anything to get upset about in this hilarious show.