Poetry on the Boardwalk | Anthony Lawrence
Nature is often one of a poet’s greatest influences. There is nothing more simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary than a blade of grass, a puddle, or a falling leaf. So, to experience poetry about nature in the place that inspires it was an opportunity that I, as a poet myself, found deeply enticing.
Girls to The Front | Good Chat Comedy
Warmed and guided by the hilarious Ting Lim, the night was a riotous display of some great Brisbane comics. More than just the sum of its laughs, Girls to The Front felt like a celebration of talent, of life, of stories, of the things that define us and those that bring us together. I was reminded of the sheer connective power of comedy, the way it builds tension only so that the audience may collectively feel its release.
Ensnare Burlesque | Wynnum Fringe 21
On the Wynnum Fringe Podcast series, Ophelia explained ‘inclusivity’ being a big driver for her project Ensnare, and this was definitely achieved. Showcasing a deliciously diverse set of bodies, skills, and genres, it was clear that at Ensnare, everyone is welcome and celebrated.
It's Only Life | The Head Bros
Speaking of those performers, Maddison Hutchins brought such joy and levity whenever she walked on stage; matched by her buoyant vocals. Whenever she was on stage, you couldn’t help but look at her as she was so animated.
Portraits: A Haunted Mansion | Observatory Theatre
The play follows the Godbold family as they adapt to rapid changes in their family hierarchy after their father, Ivan (played by James Hogan), suffers from a stroke. Estranged siblings, Josephine (played by Rebecca Day) and Martin (played by Emile Regano), are forced back together to confront unspoken traditions, secrets, memories, trauma, and ghosts.
Shad and Pete Save the World | Shad Wicka and Peter James
If you’re a prude or enjoy more clean humour then this isn’t the show to attend, however if you’re into crude and outlandish comedy that can travel into all kinds of weird and wonderful directions then I would recommend it.
Good Chat Comedy’s Pop-Up Showcase | Good Chat Comedy
Comedy is subjective and the jokes can be hit and miss, but the comedians on display are experienced and have been touring the stand-up circuit for years so they come with the knowledge of how to work a room and get the most out of their punchlines.
Sometimes It's Hot Like The Sun | Imperfect Creatives
I found in the performance and the deeper reading the play later, a refreshing candour for ugliness. The mother who does not particularly like her kids and is somewhat resigned to such a poor choice made some time before. The lack of self-awareness that occurs when an adult berates a tiny child for social transgressions of which it can scarcely be aware. A wistfulness for an imagined life that was never really pursed with any commitment.
Holy Bin A Moley | Art for Earthlings
Samantha, Nicolas, and Jennifer are all fantastic actors. Bringing each of the characters they play to life with an understanding of how to perform children’s entertainment, but like those Nickelodeon shows they still manage to have jokes for the adults. They also aren’t afraid to make fun of themselves or show their improvisation skill when the kids are offering their suggestions.
An Evening with Those Folk | Lawrence Menard & Clare Quinn
They aren’t afraid to be honest and show their relationship on stage in a playful way, and I enjoyed the stories they told between each song while also sharing the meanings behind the music too. Those Folk manage to create songs that are deep, layered and explore multiple themes utilizing folk and incorporating other genres such as bluegrass and jazz.
"Theatre hasn’t always been inclusive for artists and audience of our age." Egan Sun-Bin on The Reaction Theory and creating works about the mid-20's experience
When it was first written, this was Zoey [Dawon]’s first real play and being a new writer in the industry and leaving her drama school, she was feeling so much pressure. That’s how we all feel right now. We want to make a name for ourselves and be a working artist but it’s tough and anxiety inducing and coming straight out of that pandemic, this anxiety is very real for us. It’s us right now. The actors and creatives are feeling scared about our future and in this play, you will see exactly that.
Death and The Maiden | Ad Astra
As an audience, we are left wondering right to the end of the play whether the man she has bound in her home is guilty of the crimes Paulina condemns him for or whether her trauma has shaped an elaborate narrative that allows her to punish the guilty and move on from her past.
Rumble presents The Pageant: Choose your champion and release your inner woo girl
"What I love is that this show fully leans into the chaos and encourages the contenders to fly by the seat of their pants, which is very entertaining for the audience because you never know what you're going to see! As a contender, it's equally exciting because you can only prepare so much going into it before the carry-on takes over. It feels like catching a wave and quickly realising you're surfing in a tsunami!"
Shelter | The Drawer Productions
Intricately woven, utterly impressive, and a crash-course in ancestral healing. Shelter deserves all the success it has had commercially and critically, as well as the success I am sure is coming in the near-future. I am so glad I was able to experience this work.
Grease | Musical Theatre Students, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University
A massive cast of consummate performers tore down QPAC's Lyric theatre with a passionate, charming and energetic production of beloved musical Grease. The theatre was packed and the audience was buzzing, both from the excitement at seeing their loved ones dance and sing up a storm and the nostalgia of seeing the live version of the movie and megamix that we all knew so well. Or so we thought, because while the stage version of Grease is still the story of teen rebels and lost love, it isn't quite the version that we'd been raised on and the nostalgia of what I remembered from the movie didn’t match the reality of the story of Grease.
Shelter | The Drawer Productions
The lighting and sound was used really effectively to direct me and I really liked being pulled around the space by voices from another room, coloured flashes of light or a tv being turned on. On top of this, because there was so much to look at and dig through, as well as sometimes multiple scenes being done at once, you had a lot of power as an individual audience member to shape your view of the story.
Rhythmology | Tyson Goddard & Backbone
It’s 7pm and I don’t want to be late and as we arrive a few minutes past the hour and do the obligatory check-ins, we see the place is teeming with POC people, the familiar feel of Backbone Youth Arts reeks of that uniquely old ozzy bowlo vibe, but as we enter through the next room, the set slips into a shimmering pink backdrop, fully seated with fabulousness dripping, geometry in the ceiling, warm hues with lighting low, you can feel the vibration from the punters peaking with jittered excitement.
A Celebration of Amy Winehouse | Blue Arcadia Music & Fearless Singer Productions
Each performer brought a different flavour to each tune and told their own story through their vocals. They were complimented by the live band behind them, filled with a horn section, bass, drums, percussion, guitar and keys who captured the energy, melancholy and soul of Amy’s compositions.
"We didn’t have any role models or people that looked like us." Tyson Goddard on Rhythmology
“Sexuality is meant to be generous; people can forget it is, but we know it is and want to express this. Rhythmology is Unapologetic Sexuality! And rightfully so.”
Meanjin is Burning: Ella Ganza and the local Ballroom community on the upcoming Alexander Ball. "I want Meanjin to be the capital of Ballroom in Australia."
Ballroom and the Ball is everything that is fashion, that is high-energy. It is going to be that
event you never knew you needed until you go. You don’t have to be a Queer person, a Person of
Colour, or a Queer Person of Colour to appreciate Ballroom. Because what it also stands for individuality. We don’t want another so-and-so. We want you to be authentically you. That’s why for me Ballroom is that one place where you are guaranteed to be jaw-dropped. You’ll leave saying you never knew how much you needed it in your life.