Scenes from a Yellow Peril : A hard-hitting minefield of contemporary identity politics through an Asian lens
article, theatre Writeousness article, theatre Writeousness

Scenes from a Yellow Peril : A hard-hitting minefield of contemporary identity politics through an Asian lens

“Theatre can only survive if we provide opportunities for the marginalised to be seen and heard. It's essential to develop platforms where artists can push boundaries and build careers, and cater to audiences who normally don’t get to see themselves represented and feel included … If we continue to invest in these spaces of access and inclusion, we will cultivate more artists and develop broader audiences, proving that theatre is for all. “ Co-Director and Producer, Egan Sun-Bin.

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AMOR | D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective
review, theatre Ofa Fanaika review, theatre Ofa Fanaika

AMOR | D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective

Each phrase is a delightful piece of poetry expertly delivered. I long to read the script in it’s entirety, so that what was shared could be later accessed as a source of wisdom. I contemplate returning for another night just to hear it all again. Recitals came through in various dialects and the tonality of each reminds us of love’s universality. We all can sometimes struggle in it, or thrive in it, regardless of cultural background.

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Observatory Theatre: ‘What does theatre do in a post-truth, post-pandemic world?’
article, theatre, featured Catherine Lawrence article, theatre, featured Catherine Lawrence

Observatory Theatre: ‘What does theatre do in a post-truth, post-pandemic world?’

The Observatory Theatre team launched their 2024 Season at Yeerongpilly’s Studio1. Lachlan Driscoll (Creative Producer), Lucy Rayner-Toy (Associate Producer) and colleagues certainly have much to celebrate. In developing what Driscoll describes as ‘big, bold, ambitious theatre that responds to today,’ the 2024 Season focuses on supporting and developing new works, centred on their successful Telescope new writing program.

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Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit | Fake Blood
theatre, review, physical theatre Catherine Lawrence theatre, review, physical theatre Catherine Lawrence

Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit | Fake Blood

I loved the detailed research, the entertaining Harry Potter and Indiana Jones references, the story arc of the show, and the high-energy performances by each of the three artists. And I enjoyed the clever use of the apples as a metaphor for opening the eyes of performers, creatives, commentators and audiences.

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Obstacle | Grace Longwill
review, theatre Triss Niemi review, theatre Triss Niemi

Obstacle | Grace Longwill

What a body does, what theatre does, what doing a body and doing theatre looks like are all for her to decide. She has created a space that is accessible to her in every sense and while this may disrupt the viewers sense of “good” and “polished” theatre, she doesn’t apologise for it and we (or at least I) don’t have a single complaint about it.

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CAKE | IMRSE
review, theatre Georgia McKenzie review, theatre Georgia McKenzie

CAKE | IMRSE

This extravagant new work by IMRSE is a feast for the senses and an unapologetic exploration of cancel culture and the concept of an invariable history writing itself. Expect no less than extreme over-dramatics–in the best way, I promise! CAKE is hilarious, sexy, and high energy, offering a deeply satisfying way to spend a night out. 

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Lucie in the Sky | Australasian Dance Collective (ADC)
review, dance Ranjini Ganapathy review, dance Ranjini Ganapathy

Lucie in the Sky | Australasian Dance Collective (ADC)

Lucie in the Sky is far more than a dance performance. It is an endearing and provocative work of art compelling us to consider deep-diving into the world of cybernetics. Evaluating the potentially detrimental repercussions of AI’s revolutionary progress on some businesses, it begs the following question: What does it mean to see, situate, and elevate humanity at the centre, if not the forefront, of technology?

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From Little Things | Casus Creations and Flipside Circus 
circus, review Darcie Rae circus, review Darcie Rae

From Little Things | Casus Creations and Flipside Circus 

I went to this show expecting a fun show that has that fuzzy feeling of community, but I got a lot more than that. It’s a beautiful creation, with artistry and skill that sometimes made me forget how young many of these performers were. Their opening season has been a sell-out, and I hope they bring this show back, so more people can see this delightful piece of art and circus culture. 

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"Our biggest and boldest season yet!" Lachlan Driscoll on the launch of Observatory Theatre's 2023 Season
article, interview, theatre Catherine Lawrence article, interview, theatre Catherine Lawrence

"Our biggest and boldest season yet!" Lachlan Driscoll on the launch of Observatory Theatre's 2023 Season

I think seasons are a fantastic way to involve audiences more deeply in what we do as a company and also the shows themselves. The season becomes an invitation to get a bit closer. The curation of a season of work around a core focus is a chance for audiences to gain more meaning than if the shows were just standalone.

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Bloom Girl | Charli Burrowes
review, theatre Harmonie Downes review, theatre Harmonie Downes

Bloom Girl | Charli Burrowes

Bloom Girl takes us to her world, a world of instant attention, interaction, gratification. Of being hyper alert ready for the next beep and armed with the next retort complete with the right hashtag. It reminds us of how demanding being connected to social media is, and what it like to be an influencer seeing what other influencers do. I’m led to think perhaps social media is a virus when I hear the mispronounced influenza spoken.

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Death In A Statesman | Debase Productions
theatre, review Katie Rasch theatre, review Katie Rasch

Death In A Statesman | Debase Productions

Death in a Statesman has a lot of fun playing with genre conventions, taking things we typically associate with gritty American crime stories and placing them on a journo in Bundaberg who uses a bike to get around. The whole audience was really receptive to that playfulness and humor, laughing heartily along with the fourth wall breaking jokes and the over the top minor characters. Noir and comedy make a fun combination and I think that genre blend made a good vehicle for a story about family and transitions.

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Sad Boys Luv Art | Baby Blue
review, theatre Kaylee Vera review, theatre Kaylee Vera

Sad Boys Luv Art | Baby Blue

Dance, drag, costume, and performance come together in Baby Blue’s Sad Boys Luv Art. The show is a journey through male femininity that seeks audience interaction and reflection. Thalia Novela leads travellers through a fantasy world, with each new location introducing a new mythical creature. These magical entities are portrayed by Luna Thicc, Brandi Doll, Bailey Strothmann, Crimson Coco, and of course, Baby Blue.

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Batshit | Leah Shelton
review, theatre Fliss Morton review, theatre Fliss Morton

Batshit | Leah Shelton

Leah Shelton’s BATSHIT was fast and frenzied. Inspired by Leah’s grandmother’s experiences of mental illness and forced medical treatment, the show was equally intimate and hard hitting. Kicking off with an ear shattering soundscape that was brilliantly timed with the lighting design, the precision of the scenographic elements were a highlight of the show.

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STOP THAT NONSENSE | Nicholas ‘Prince’ Milverton & IMA
theatre, installation & visual art, review Writeousness theatre, installation & visual art, review Writeousness

STOP THAT NONSENSE | Nicholas ‘Prince’ Milverton & IMA

In spite of its brevity, STOP THAT NONSENSE managed to touch on what it takes for a young black man to excel with the loving support of his adoring parents and set within the context of race, privilege and perception underpinned by colonialism. I look forward to the playwright expanding STOP THAT NONSENSE into a full-length work where the many levels of black excellence can be explored in greater depth.

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