TINA: The Tina Turner Musical | TEG Dainty
review, musical Catherine Lawrence review, musical Catherine Lawrence

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical | TEG Dainty

Brisbane audiences will not be disappointed; this is one show that absolutely deserves to be a sellout. As my plus-one said on the opening night, this must be the best musical we have seen at QPAC. But you’d better be quick, as this show goes back on the road at the end of August.

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What Will Have Been | Circa
circus, review Catherine Lawrence circus, review Catherine Lawrence

What Will Have Been | Circa

The three acrobats are the stars of this exceptional show that features incredible hand balance by Daniel O’Brien, a fluid and moving straps solo (and acrobatic ‘dance’) by Kimberley Rossi, and quite amazing strength work by Zac Stephens. In just over 60 minutes, the performers demonstrated their mastery of circus arts to create moments of beauty, strength, power, fear, tenderness, pain, humour, wistfulness, joy, and connection.

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Chicago | QPAC & Crossroads Live Australia
review, musical Triss Niemi review, musical Triss Niemi

Chicago | QPAC & Crossroads Live Australia

Chicago is the best thing I have seen, perhaps ever. Chicago is A Night At The Theatre – I can’t emphasise enough the visceral nature of the experience or the extent of its quality. Let’s just say: I was in such a state of euphoria I completely blacked out. Go and see Chicago, I don’t care who you’ve gotta screw, shoot, or shun to make it happen, just go and see it.

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Yuldea | Bangarra Dance Theatre
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Yuldea | Bangarra Dance Theatre

Ultimately I felt it was a kind of accounting. There is no want, no ask from the audience of many peoples, each with their own reason for coming to witness. There is just the accounting. The storytelling. The truth telling.

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Choir Boy |  Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta
review, musical Tristan Niemi review, musical Tristan Niemi

Choir Boy | Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta

With any play-with-music, the sudden shifts into musical numbers can snatch the viewer out of the story and prevent them from fully experiencing pathos. It’s actually the opposite in this case. The music is phenomenal and these moments are the most affective of the show both due to the immense vocal talent of the cast and the emotional intensity they bring to the songs. It is the spoken scenes that have to justify their presence in my opinion.

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Girl From the North Country | Conor McPherson & QPAC
review, musical Virag Dombay review, musical Virag Dombay

Girl From the North Country | Conor McPherson & QPAC

The performances from the cast were terrific across the board. Kowitz was believable as an overworked hotel manager and family man who lacks the emotional capacity to do either job efficiently, Elijah Williams was equal parts charming and allusive as the convicted boxer, but McCune stood out for her layered portrayal of a woman battling a mental illness who still finds time for joy in her life.

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9 to 5: The Musical | Jones Theatrical Group & QPAC
musical, review Catherine Lawrence musical, review Catherine Lawrence

9 to 5: The Musical | Jones Theatrical Group & QPAC

The Australian leads did a great job with their roles. Casey Donovan’s vocals were a standout, and if you like Donovan’s voice you are definitely going to enjoy the show. Donovan’s portrayal of the newly-divorced Judy Bernly was excellent—taking us on the journey from a gauche first day at work,through to the depiction of an empowered executive who really did not need her cheating husband back.

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