reviews – Page 4 – TINSEL and TAP SHOES

Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Comedy Theatre, Melbourne (2024)

For the third year in a row, GWB Entertainment’s A Christmas Carol is once again playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre. Based on the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, the iconic story sees curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.

Review: Latency (2024)

2024, 90 mins
M (Mature themes, horror themes, violence and coarse language)

Stars Sasha Luss, Alexis Ren
Directed by James Croke

A great premise and striking visual style elevate what is ultimately a frustrating and not fully-realised horror thriller. Latency is one of those films that starts out brilliantly and hooks you in, but then sadly doesn’t really go anywhere with its premise. Still, there’s a lot to like in Australian writer/director James Croke’s debut feature.

Review: ‘One Day In September’ at Athenaeum Theatre 2, Melbourne (2024)

When I heard that Maverick Newman and Kohan van Sambeeck had created a new Australian musical based around Australian Rules Football, I was immediately intrigued. I don’t have any interest in the sport but knowing it centred on a fictional closeted player (and to date there has never been an openly gay player in men’s AFL), it sounded like a bold subject for theatre.

Review: ‘Popstars – The 90s Musical’ at Cranbourne Community Theatre (2024)

When the South East Melbourne Windmill Theatre Company announced they were putting on a musical created in a mere 24 hours, I was immediately intrigued. Whether it ended up being brilliant or a total disaster, I knew it would be a unique experience.

Review: ‘Pippin’ at Altona Theatre (2024)

Williamstown Musical Theatre Company’s production of Pippin is playing at the Altona Theatre (115 Civic Parade, Altona) until November 23, 2024.

Tickets start at $46 and are available via https://www.wmtc.org.au/pippin2024

Review: ‘Daddy Long Legs’ at The Anglican Centre, Mornington (2024)

Peoples Playhouse’s production of Daddy Long Legs is playing at the Mornington and Mount Martha Anglican Church (4 Albert Street, Mornington) until November 16, 2024.

Tickets start at $35 and are available via peoplesplayhouse.com

Review: ‘Piper’ (2023)

2023, M (Supernatural themes and suicide scenes), 100 mins
Available on DVD and Digital Platforms from November 13, 2024

Stars Elizabeth Hurley, Mia Jenkins, Jack Stewart and Tara Fitzgerald
Directed by Anthony Waller

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a famous fable that has arguably fallen out of the public consciousness in recent decades, but the creepy undertones of the story have enormous potential to be repurposed for a horror movie. Piper revives the legend to solid effect, and tries hard to evoke an unsettling mood throughout, even if it doesn’t quite work overall.

Review: ‘Sister Act’ at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre (2024)

Sister Act, a divine musical comedy, is currently playing at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre.
More information and tickets can be found at sisteractthemusical.com.au

Review: Smile 2 (2024)

Minor SPOILERS!

Writer/director Parker Finn’s Smile, released in 2022, was a surprise hit upon release. Originally intended as a streaming release, it was so good that it demanded a theatrical release instead and ended up making more than $200 million at the worldwide box office.

A sequel was inevitable, but thankfully Finn has given us a follow-up that feels both of a piece with the original and its own thing entirely, and has a bigger budget to play with and more elaborate horror sequences to delight and scare us with.