Review: GWB Entertainment’s A Christmas Carol

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.

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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.

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REVIEW: The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera has come to Melbourne’s State Theatre, The Art Centre – and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, let alone someone who didn’t rank it in their top 10 favourite musicals.

Thus, the expectation is higher than your average show. Succeed, and you have a hit on your hands. Fail, and there would be outroar in the streets!

Luckily, the 2022-2023 production falls in the former.

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A Christmas Carol set to have its Australian premiere at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre in November 2022

Two visionary Tony Award winners — director Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical) and playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) — have created a magical new interpretation of Charles Dickens’ timeless story, A Christmas Carol.

Dickens’ 1843 novella tells the story of a selfish and greedy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates everything related to Christmas. Ultimately a tale of compassion and redemption, after being visited by Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, Scrooge is changed into a better man.

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