“Doctor Zhivago a new musical”- and a bold, new Australian production has launched itself in the Lyric Theatre at Star City. In the tradition of grand musicals of the early-mid 1980s such as Les Miserables (1985) and Phantom of the Opera (1986), Doctor Zhivago is the classic story of the power of passion and politics, produced by Australian John Frost OAM with Anthony Warlow at the helm in the title role. In recent weeks there has been much in the media about Warlow and a torn calf muscle – and the usual punters demanding money back/replacement tickets… and it’s been pretty comprehensive. Warlow is the darling patriarch of Australia’s Musical Theatre industry and his name attached to a project immediately makes it news worthy. Interestingly, opposite him are two fairly young rising stars of the industry – Lucy Maunder and Taneel Van Zyl. The posters, banners, taxi advertisements have been everywhere – CDs have appeared as a free bonus in magazines and with Valentine’s Day roses. It’s been everywhere and just may be one of the grandest musicals to premiere this year. Read more

Another night at the opera with James Waites… it’s a slow education. Three hours every so often, we venture into the right hand sails of the Sydney Opera House for the next lesson. Read more

This is one of those tricky reviews. I know for a FACT that everyone is going to love this and see it, and laugh and LOVE it. And I don’t know why, I didn’t. I didn’t love it. And I feel very alone in my opinion. Read more

Every now and then it happens. Like shooting stars, but rarer. Illuminating like chain lightning. Like finding love and knowing how to declare it, and keep it. And when it happens, you have no choice but to surrender to the beauty and the cruelty, the devastation of seeing a truly great work of art and knowing that you feel differently now. You are different, now. Forever.

Going to the theatre, as much as I do, can be difficult. The wear and tear on your heart can be difficult. For us foyer-dwellers we are forever optimistic that we will have those experiences which make the treasure hunt for great art, for great theatre, worthwhile.There’s a lot of kissing frogs in play going. There’s a lot of dates that just don’t work out. But I try to find the merit, provide context and offer encouragement to all the makers of this very demanding art form in the hope that somehow, somewhere, someday it translates into one of the great plays. And Speaking in Tongues is such a play. And Sam Strong’s production is such a production. Read more

This Sydney Festival I have spent the majority of my time at The Seymour Centre – watching as punters swirl and spin off into one of three venues – all with a revolving programme – all with an exciting variety of shows to experience. Last time I was at the Everest I was there to review Mike Birbiglia a stand up comic, on this occasion I was there to see a devised work created by a range of physical theatre performers/dancers which was developed over two continents. Though my first love is text- I am always keen to branch out (pun acknowledged) to other modes of performance and am trying to bring myself up to speed on physical performance and dance.

There is something awe-inspiring about dance, for me. Me who sits, reading or writing or watching or thinking… all quite sedentary occupations and past times – the spectacle of watching someone move and twist and negotiate space with their body is impressive. Add to that a narrative created by an ensemble of performers. Ideas about the observations of humans from an animal’s point of view – and I was very curious to see what the results would be. Read more

Australia Day 2011 was huge.

Not in the flag wearing, cooking snags on the barbeque, sun-kissed skin, sandy feet and cold beer sense. While my phone buzzed with messages from friends and colleagues encouraging me to pop by their Oz Day celebrations for a quick hello and some lawn chair conversation, I was up a ladder with a staple gun, pair of pliers and a metal rule helping prepare for an exhibition that opens tonight at Gaffa gallery in Sydney. The show is by my best mate Tim Andrew and his show is a Big Deal – in name and scale.

It’s a brilliant collection of work (and I say this not just because Tim is my friend – it just so happens all my friends make brilliant work – it’s not why we are friends – but it certainly seems the case that I have remarkably talented friends). Sculptures, paintings, film, prints and giant wall-paper murals cover the walls. Though one can see his love of colour and him commentary on the idea of fakeness – what I love about Tim’s work is that he strives to be as authentic as possible. He’s not shallow, or trying to present anything other than who he is. He’s a white, male artist in his early thirties – and his work speaks of his interests and anxieties: there’s mild horror themes and deeply personal confessions and opinions. Read more

I love children’s theatre. I love the creativity of children’s theatre. I love the audiences of children’s theatre.

Whether it is theatre made by children for children (Shopfront Theatre’s junior ensemble always delights me) or if is children’s theatre made by adults, (Eg The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy or The Book of Everything) what is most important is the imagination of the audience and the inventiveness of the artists.

(And please note I am not talking about “children’s theatre” in any pejorative sense.)

For me inventiveness and imagination is the essence of theatre and is most powerful when an image, sound, word that stimulates or inspires in it’s viewer (participant/meaning maker/audience) more than merely the tangible, obvious meaning of what it is made of/what is being shown. It’s that extra level of engagement i am fascinated by – the suspension of disbelief -the willingness to access the possibility of all things.

When we as adults accept the possibility of things, we become brave enough to contribute to the world and consequently (whether we like it or not) change happens. Read more

I couldn’t get tickets to the The Giacomo Variations. As an avid reader of biographies (currently I am reading Brave Mouth a Billy Connolly biography -a book stolen at Christmas time from my parent’s house) I was thrilled to be able to join the mass of pilgrims to hear Jim Sharman and John Malkovich speak in the magnificent Sydney Town Hall this evening.

Other critics (Fairfax and News Ltd critics) were busy at the Theatre Critics Circle Awards at Paddington RSL, delighting in the best of 2010. Some onliners and I waited patiently at the Box office for our tickets to what would be a very stimulating and rewarding evening examining art forms and acting, story, character, career, ensemble, collaboration, celebrity, family, seduction –

This was not quite “Being John Malkovich” as “‘Being’ by John Malkovich” a deeply invigorating conversation I am lucky to have heard…. Read more

As the usual Sydney crowd shuffles like well-dressed cattle into The Studio of the opera house, we pass a sign which warns of adult themes, coarse language and nudity. Which is more of a confirmation of what we may suspect seeing as their marketing materials have the New York Times quoted as saying they are “Irreverent, sacrilegious, foulmouthed and uninhibited.” The prim Opera House ushers are joined by two slightly sparkly “school girls” offering communion wafers to patrons as they enter. While the punters find their seats at tables or in the “safer” upper seating areas, the sisters and their assistants mingle with the guest, welcoming us in a sly Southern drawl. We were accosted momentarily, and after a quick chat where I welcomed her to Sydney, she left me with a passing suggestion for us to loosen up a little and have a nice time.

Before long – the mayhem begins with a Catholic schoolgirl strip tease and some very impressive handstands. Read more

The Sydney Opera House is more than a place for elderly classical music enthusiasts to snooze through concertos. In what appears to be a season of circus spectacular, the white sails are housing some of the most impressive productions touring the world. So much so, you will be forgiven if you mistake these shows as a part of the Sydney Festival.

Soap is billed as “Dazzling, daring and dangerous, eight acrobats will perform in, on and around a series of bathtubs in the Australian premiere of the late-night variety show.” And it absolutely delivers on it’s promises – I would love to meet the person who does not find their jaw-dropped, gut wrenched and heart stopped for the duration of this production. Read more