Lamina | VOiiiD Collective
They entered in brightly coloured heat mapped leotards and perfectly groomed and shiny Gattaca-esque heads. They moved beautifully, fluidly in one scene, in tandem for a note, again an element of robotic science fiction. The wearing of wigs as a taking on and putting off of the Role Of Woman.
Eat Slay Zombie | Alinta McGrady
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies rule and the only form of communication for the remaining survivors is via TikTok, Eat Slay Zombie is a highly entertaining romp led by three contagiously charismatic actors.
Winona | Ebony Rattle
Shared cigarettes, discussions of what medication they’re currently taking, and manic depressive episodes define the relationship, and Rattle and Robinson’s rapport throughout the work keeps the duo both believable and elevated in a way that astounded me from a purely technical level.
Dragspeare: Drag Kings do Shakespeare
The Stallion Squad are a singing, dancing, stripping band of kings on a regional tour from Innisfail to Goondiwindi. Feeling stuck in groundhog day doing their usual sexy choreography they decide to get serious and add some Shakespeare to their show. Absolute hilarity, a touch of romance and unabashed queerness ensues.
Playground In The Sky | Virag Dombay Productions & Room to Play Kids
It explored real-life struggles, and themes, such as hardship, stress, and the emotional toll of moving away from friends. Lines such as “Why is everyone leaving”, “all I want is to scream” deeply resonated with me, highlighting the crucial role of community support and friendship during challenging moments in life.
AI May - Embodi Theatre
AI May is a play that explores grief, and the ways in which we process it, or the ways in which we do not. It is a slice of tomorrow-styled science fiction, or as it totes itself, futuristic realism, wherein potential technologies of artificial technology have become commonplace in the not-too-distant future, replacing social services and healthcare and other daily essentials.
WOman | WOmen
Perhaps the most apt description I could give to the work is that it is theatre by way of riot grrrl - punchy, witty, and cruel, but with a true sense of camaraderie and sisterhood behind it.
Harpies | Eli Free
At times graceful and at others deliberately repugnant, these actors gave their all for this show, creating a sense of community with each other and their audience as they progressed. They also involved other artistic elements including electric guitar, puppetry and roving, and it was clear that this is a multi talented, local cast.
Maho Maho Magic Bar | Broad Encounters & Darkfield | Realscape Productions
There’s nothing like being stumped by a magic trick and some of them blew me away. I was racking my brain to work out how they were pulling off those tricks and I doubt there is anyone who could keep a smile off their face while objects disappear and then reappear inside a completely in-tact orange.
The Cat Empire with Queensland Symphony Orchestra | Queensland Symphony Orchestra & Brisbane Festival
For all the fun and frivolity of the night there too was a sincerity to the evening. It was born of a shared love for the work of this iconic Australian band, but also for the power of live music to escape us from our troubles and honour our survival.
Common People Dance Eisteddfod 2024 | Common People Dance Project
The message of the evening was loud and clear – dance was and is for everybody and EVERY BODY. Every single team served and slayed in its interpretation of its respective chosen theme. Every fibre of their being seemed to scream cries of unadulterated joy.
Assembly Vol. 1 | Australasian Dance Collective
Assembly Vol. 1 truly lived up to its name, and that is what made it feel so special. In the end, it turned out to be an assembly not only of talented artists, but also of everyday people united by their love for the arts
Pasifika Made | Brisbane Festival Street Serenades
Pasifika Made was a beautiful way to spend a Saturday evening and I left with my heart and stomach full. Brisbane's Pacific community has so much talent to offer and I know I’m not the only person desperate to see more of this kind of programming from Brisbane Festival in the future.
Cirque Bon Bon - Le Retour | JACs Entertainment
There were so many excellent moments in Le Retour, but one special highlight for me was contortionist and foot archery artist, Shannen Michaela, who performed her spectacular and technical archery act. The crowd was blown away by the acts, how she was able to set the scene, with accompanying epic music, as well as her charisma and perfect execution.
Big Name, No Blankets | Andrea James with Anyupa Butcher & Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher
Each of the actors presented a compelling portrayal of the members of the band. Baykali Ganambarr’s Sammy was humble, modest, honest and a great narrator of the story. Definte highlights included the fantastic vocals and performances by Cassandra Williams (Suzina, Mum & Ensemble), and the superb stage presence and singing by Taj Pigram, as the Warumpi Band frontman.
Private View | Restless Dance Theatre
Private View is a work that encourages us to dream wildly and let others dream wildly of the love, desire, kindness, lust, and affection we all deserve. It shows us its dreams and gently invites us to remove the barricades and barriers we have within our own. And, with every dream it liberates, I know it changes our world for the better. It’s just bloody lovely, is what it is.
Trent Dalton’s Love Stories | Tim McGarry, Trent Dalton and Fiona Franzmann with Brisbane Festival and QPAC
Following the resounding success of Boy Swallows Universe as a novel, play, and Netflix series, it was almost a given that we would see another of Trent Dalton’s books adapted for the stage. Walking into Love Stories it is nearly impossible to not have expectations. But comparing the two adaptations is unfair, Love Stories is its own experience with a very different narrative approach.
Lighting the Dark | DanceNorth
As the performers are presented, they are each warmly hugged and welcomed by Chris Dyke—communicating a sense of the artists as people who need to work closely with and trust their fellow dancers. It’s wonderful to then watch those individuals transform from initial ‘chatter,’ and playfulness, to performing impressive dance—here a literal lighting of the dark stage, when the artists ‘switch on’ their performance skills.
Adrift | Counterpilot
If we think in terms of pure impact? In terms of that basic audience question of - well, what did it matter? It’s hard for me not to call Adrift some kind of masterpiece.
Us and All of This | Liesel Zink, Lawrence English, & Performing Lines
Zink and English have achieved something incredibly special here - a true collaboration with highlights coming from both mediums present within the work, it was an honour to watch it in this iteration, with these performers, at this location. Installation art has the ability to change the world in which it exists, and nowhere have I found this to be more true than with Us and All of This.