Sunday, MTC REVIEW 28 Jan 2023 ***1/2

THEATRE

Sunday by Anthony Weigh by Melbourne Theatre Company

At MTC Sumner Theatre, Southbank Theatre until 18 Feb 2023

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***&1/2

 This review is published only on this blog. k

Josh McConville, Nikki Shiels, Matt Day MTC Sunday_photoPiaJohnson

Sunday by Anthony Weigh incorporates public information about the life and arts philanthropy of Sunday and John Reed who established an artists’ colony that became the Heide Gallery in Heidelberg, to weave an imagined story about their private lives – particularly that of the troubled Sunday.

 

The real Sunday, played in this production with febrile, audacious, nervy energy by Nikki Shiels, was part of the wealthy, Melbourne old money Ballieu family and married successful lawyer, John Reed (Matt Day). In Weigh's play, Sunday steers their lives on a path that leads to their patronage of artists including Sidney Nolan (Josh McConville), Albert Tucker and his wife Joy Hester (Ratidzo Mambo).

 

Her long-standing affair with Nolan, known to her husband, degenerates into antipathy after Nolan proposes that she leave John and marry him. Although Sunday is a force of nature who shapes an entire bohemian, hopefully idyllic, artistic world, her delicate mental state is a continuing problem that is exacerbated by Nolan’s sudden and volatile departure from Heide and his demand that she return all of the paintings that he left at Heide.

 

Shiels gives a vivid and complex portrayal of Sunday that makes her attractively charming and fiery, but also repellent in her unpredictable, controlling and often bullying behaviour.

Nikki Shiels-MTCSunday_photoPiaJohnson

McConville’s Nolan is totally credible, initially as a stammering, under-confident, working-class young man who develops into a confident, successful, sometimes arrogant and manipulative artist. Day as John Reed provides a still point in the tempest that is Sunday and Nolan’s explosive relationship, while Mambo’s Joy Hester gives us a glimpse into the rest of the artists’ community at Heide.

 

Weigh’s writing is witty and does not get bogged down in too much historical fact, but rather relies on the central relationship between Sunday, Nolan and Reed. Sarah Goodes’ direction is deft and unobtrusive, allowing the characters and relationships to create the drama.The production is set on a cavernous, almost empty stage, with the walls of the design (Anna Cordingley) that resemble a painter’s streaked, abstract canvas.

 

The three-hour play is unnecessarily long although it never bores as we witness the galloping disaster that is Sunday Reed’s life and loves.

 

By Kate Herbert

 

Cast

Nikki Shiels- Sunday Reed

Matt Day -John Reed

Josh McConville- Sidney Nolan

Ratidzo Mambo -Joy Hester

Joshua Tighe – Sweeney Reed

 

Creative Team

Writer - Anthony Weigh

Director - Sarah Goodes

Designer -Anna Cordingley

Much Ado About Nothing, ASC, 6 Jan 2023 ****

THEATRE

Written by William Shakespeare, music by Paul Norton

Australian Shakespeare Company (ASC)

At Botanical Gardens, Southern Lawn, until 4 Feb 2023

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: **** (4)

This review is published only on this blog. I’ll do a radio review on Arts Weekly on 4 Feb 2023. KH

Cast-of-Much-Ado-About-Nothing 2023_Credit-Ben-Fon

 

 

Shakespeare’s plays were performed under an open sky for people who were not fancy-pants literati. Glenn Elston’s audacious, summer production of Much Ado About Nothing, set against a backdrop of lush trees in the Botanical Gardens, would have delighted the bard’s audience, so don’t expect a stodgy or even predictable version of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy.

 

The production opens with a comical intro by clown security guards /roadies, Dogberry (Madeleine Somers) and Verges (Antony Rive), followed by The Babes: four of the female characters sassily singing a hot rock number. Then the lead male characters, a band of returning soldiers, enter as rock band, The Loved Ones, all accompanied by on-stage guitarist, Tony Harvey.

 

Paul Norton’s songs are deliciously eclectic and, although they were written for a previous ASC production of Much Ado in 1998, they sound new and contemporary. Norton’s use of Shakespeare’s poetic text as lyrics or titles in these rock/pop songs is a cunning addition that adds another layer of enjoyment.

 

The entire cast is versatile, able to play both the comedy and drama and to perform the repertoire of songs. Nicholas Cameron is suitably seductive, arrogant, witty and charming as Benedick, playing the character as a loose limbed rock star in the style of Michael Hutchence. Anna Burgess, playing Benedick’s equally combative love match, Beatrice, captures the boldness, verbal sparring and seductiveness of the character.

 

Special mention must be made of Larissa Teale as the sweet, loving and tragically abandoned Hero. Teale’s warm and lovely vocal quality singing Hero’s solo ballad was a thrilling surprise.

 

Elston’s new production of Much Ado About Nothing is a rollicking, Shakespearean rock musical that provides another summer treat. Get a picnic and a bottle of wine and get down to the gardens before 4 Feb.

 

 \

by Kate Herbert

 

CAST

BENEDICK Nicholas Cameron

BEATRICE Anna Burgess

CLAUDIO Alex Cooper

DON PEDRO Hugh Sexton

DON JOHN Kevin Hopkins

BORACHIO Elizabeth Brennan

LEONATO Claire Nichols

ANTONIO Syd Brisbane

HERO Larissa Teale

MARGARET Meg McKibbin

URSULA Olivia McLeod

DOGBERRY Madeleine Somers

VERGES Tony Rive

BALTHASAR/MUSICIAN Tony Harvey

 

CREATIVE TEAM

DIRECTOR Glenn Elston

MUSICAL DIRECTOR Paul Norton

COSTUME DESIGN Karla Erenbots

 

 

Madagascar the Musical REVIEW 6 Jan 2023 ***1/2

MUSIC THEATRE

Madagascar the Musical: Book by Kevin del Aguila, Original Music & Lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan

Selladoor Worldwide Production based on DreamWorks movie

At Comedy Theatre, Melbourne until 15 Jan 2023 then Perth 19-26 Jan.

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***1/2

This review was published only on this blog. I'll do a radio review on Arts Weekly 3MBS on Feb 4, 2023. KH

Madagascar the Musical-pic by David Hooley - supplied

Much of the joy in watching Madagascar the Musical is hearing the delighted reactions of the littlies that comprise much of the audience. They giggle and clap and dance in their sets during the finale, and each has a favourite character; the child beside us loves Gloria the Hippo.

 

The musical is based on the hit movie by DreamWorks but it chooses a select few of the animals that escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo when Marty the adventurous Zebra (Joe Kalou) decides on his tenth birthday to take an overnight train to The Wild. His pals, Alex the conceited Lion (Andrew Papas), Melman the hypochondriacal Giraffe (Bryn Monk) and Gloria the sassy Hippo (Moniquewa Williams) pursue him, but all four friends end being captured captured in the middle of New York City.

 

They are transported in containers on a ship bound for Africa, but the four mischievous penguins, led by the wily Skipper (Cole Johnston) – He has the famously wry catchphrase, "Smile and wave boys!"– plan to get to Antarctica. They take over the ship and the other animals end up stranded on Madagascar, the realm of bombastic and flamboyant King Julien (Jonathan Martin), king of the lemurs.

 

Friendship is the core of this story. Even when Alex the carnivore is starving, he restrains himself from biting into his pal, Marty’s plump rump, then chases off the ravening enemies of the lemurs, the insidious, sneaking meat-eaters, the Fossas.

The songs by George Noriega & Joel Someillan are short and peppy with simple, cheeky lyrics and the styles range from pop tunes to R and B, Jazz and even Latin beats, all performed with accompanying dance routines that appeal to the children.

 

The lead characters are played by actors in costume while others are large puppets manipulated by a talented ensemble. The performers are all versatile and polished singer/dancer/actors, but special mention must be made of Martin as the hilarious, audacious character of King Julien. He has a rich vocal quality and his entrance singing the funky song, I Like to Move It!, is a highlight.  Madagascar is chock-full of jokes and sight gags for all the family and Martin’s King Julien milks a fart gag for all it’s worth, sending the kids into paroxysms of laughter.

 

This is not a lavish musical production like The Lion King, but it is just the ticket for a summer indoor entertainment for little kids.

 

 

by Kate Herbert

 

Australian Creatives

Associate Director -Nick Purdie

Associate Choreographer - Fabian Aloise

Associate Musical Director - Mark Bradley

 

Original Creatives

Director - Kirk Jamieson

Choreographer - Fabian Aloise

Designer - Tom Rogers

Musical Supervisor - Mark Crossland

The Wind in the Willows, ASC, RE-POSTED REVIEW of 2019-2020 production ****

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Adapted by Glenn Elston from book by Kenneth Grahame

Australia Shakespeare Company

At Botanical Gardens, Current season (Jan 2026) until 25 Jan 2026

Links: The Wind in the Willows - Melbourne

Enter via F Gate - Corner Birdwood Ave & Dallas Brooks Drive Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Please note: This is a re-post of my review of the 2019-2020 summer production of The Wind in the Willows. There will be a new cast and probably some changes for this season. KH

Photo Supplied

 

The most treacherous creatures for outdoor children’s performers are the kids themselves, and actors in The Wind in the Willows in the Botanical Gardens sometimes contend with little ones mobbing the stage.

 

Their participation is encouraged, albeit controlled, in Otis Elston’s production of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved story of Toad of Toad Hall (Ryan Hawke) and his creature cronies.

 

The enthusiastic children sing ‘Waggle your ears, wiggle your nose,’ and ‘Quack quack quackady-quack’, roar laughing at the antics of Weasel (Paul Morris) and Head Chief Rabbit (Callum O’Malley) , then go on a dangerous mission with Ratty (Isaac Broadbent) and Badger (Chris Asimos) to rescue little Portly the Otter (Cierra Shook/Kempton Maloney) from the Wild Wood.

 

This 2020 production includes some recasting, new comic bits and some more updated pop songs with witty lyrics for the adults.

 

Morris is the hilariously sly and sleazy Weasel who invades Toad Hall with his weasel mates, wielding giant water pistols filled with ‘weasel wee’, to the children’s delight.

 

O’Malley hosts the show as a youthful and charming Head Chief Rabbit, leading songs, playing guitar and, with Morris as Weasel on mandolin, entertains the parents with witty new lyrics to pop tunes.

 

Wearing a suitably gaudy green and pink outfit, Hawke is gleefully flamboyant as the vain and manipulative twit, Mr. Toad, who is obsessed with every sporty fad from canoeing to motorcars and gets himself arrested and sentenced to 40 years for car theft.

 

Broadbent is playful as the down-to-earth, river-dwelling Ratty who loves ‘messing about in boats’, while Alex Cooper plays Otter as well as a smug Policeman and a doddery Judge.

 

Asimos is suitably pompous and long-winded as the black and white Badger who – according to Weasel – looks like a renegade from Kiss or, worse, a Collingwood supporter, while Chloe Bruer-Jones is sprightly as the timid Mole.

 

Willows is ideal summer family entertainment so, pack a picnic, but guard your snacks and wine with your life, because Rabbit and Weasel will raid your hamper.

 

by Kate Herbert

 

Arts Weekly RADIO INTERVIEW with Kate Herbert 10 Dec 2022

 

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2022

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Saturday 10 December 2022. 

On this program, host Kiera Stevens, interviews me about my life in theatre, writing, reviewing etc. Producer, Nick Tohurst, thought the listener/s (if there are any!) would like to hear my story.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 12 mins. K

 

Arts Weekly 3MBS Radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert, Sat 19 November 2022

 

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2022

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Saturday 19 November  2022. 

On this program, I review A Christmas Carol, conceived by Matthew Warchus and written by Jack Thorn, Sunshine Super Girl by Andrea James, and comment only on Emilia as I saw only the first 45 minutes before it was stopped by a cast injury.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7 mins. K

 

Arts Weekly 3MBS Radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert, Sat 5 November 2022

 

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2022

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Saturday 5 November  2022. 

On this program, I review Girls & Boys by Dennis Kelly at MTC and the new production of The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7 mins. K

 

Arts Weekly 3MBS Radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert 22 Oct 2022

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2023

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Sat 22 October 2022. I talk about Naomi by Patrick Livesey, and All That Fall by Samuel Beckett, at La Mama. It's about 7-8 mins and I did it by phone so the sound is a bit down-a-drainpipe.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7-8 mins. K

 

Arts Weekly 3MBS radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert, Sat 8 October 2022

 

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2023

This is my Arts Weekly review spot on Sat 8 October 2022. 

On this program, I review Cyrano by Virginia Gay at MTC and The Meeting at Red Stitch.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7-8 mins. K

Arts Weekly 3MBS Radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert 24 Sept 2022

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2023

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Sat 24 September 2022. I talk about Australian shows that are/were available to stream online. Companies have created digital, filmed versions of their live shows since Lockdowns ended.

At MTC Digital: The Heartbreak Choir  by Aiden Fennessey and Berlin by Joanna Murray-Smith, and Slap, Bang, Kiss by Dan Giovannoni, Shakespeare's As You Like It and Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes by Hannah Moscovitch.

MTC digital shows stay online for about 2 years.

La Mama On Screen had plenty of digital shows that have short digital season.

I restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7-8 mins. K

 

Arts Weekly 3MBS Radio REVIEWS Kate Herbert 10 Sept 2022

 Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2023

This is my Arts Weekly review spot from Sat 10 September 2022. I talk about K-Box at Malthouse, and Bed and Breakfast at Chapel off Chapel.

I  restarted reviewing theatre for 3MBS on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files. It's about 7-8 mins. K

Arts Weekly 3 REVIEWS Kate Herbert 27 Aug 2022

Arts Weekly Saturdays 10-11am, restarting 4 Feb 2023

I started reviewing theatre for 3MBS again on 27 Aug this year after a few years away from the station.

 I'm on every second Saturday morning on Arts Weekly after 10am, usually before 1030am, for about 7-8 minutes.

I love doing radio reviewing even if it's unpaid!

In this episode from Sat 27 Aug 2022, I talk about Anna K at Malthouse, Caught at Red Stitch and More Than A Game a footy musical. 

Click on the file below to hear the reviews. It's a video without pics cos Blog won't accept audio files.  It's about 16 mins.

A Christmas Carol REVIEW 18 Nov 2022 *****

THEATRE

A version written by Jack Thorne, conceived by Matthew Warchus

An Old Vic production

At Comedy Theatre Melbourne until 29 Dec 2022

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: *****

This review is published only on this blog with a radio review on Sat 19 Nov 2022. KH

David Wenham and Ensemble_pic Jeff Busby

Matthew Warchus’s exhilarating, multi-award-winning production of A Christmas Carol, adapted from Dickens’ ripping yarn by Jack Thorne, is a very Christmassy feast of carols, choral harmonies, mass bell ringing, snow, faith, hope and charity and even a veritable feast of fruits, vegetables, meat platters, puddings and breads all sliding down from the balcony along draped sheets to the stage and into wicker baskets. Yes, real food – mostly.

 

The pre-show musical entertainment also includes actors walking around with mince pies and tossing mandarins to audience members who wave furiously at the actors to get their hands on the mandies.

 

Thorne’s version of Dickens’ story extracts crucial moments, takes licence with some dialogue, and omits some characters and scenes because, let’s face it, Dickens’ book would take many hours to perform in full.

 

Ebenezer Scrooge, played with relish by the virtuosic David Wenham, is a miserly old moneylender who thinks Christmas is ‘humbug’ (Wenham says the word only once in this show) and who underpays and makes unreasonable demands on his dutiful, hard-working office clerk, Bob Cratchit, who lives in poverty with his wife and many children including Tiny Tim (Theo Watson-Bonnice on opening night).

 

Scrooge also reviles the carol singers at his door and sends his kind nephew away. He fears everyone wants his money.

 

Wenham is magnetic and credible as the wizened, growling, unpleasant Scrooge. He seems almost to be folded in upon himself to avoid all human contact. His transformation from this stone-hearted old grump into the skipping dancing benefactor is swift but credible and his 180-degree change triggers the truly joyous Christmas celebration that follows.

 

The supporting cast is superb with Debra Lawrence as the wry, pert, elderly Christmas Past, and Samantha Morley as the critical, chivvying Christmas Present. The entire cast takes the role of Christmas Future – a group of black-clad veiled ghostly figures – then Scrooge’s late sister, little Fann, (Emily Nkomo) takes Scrooge to view his own, lonely funeral at which he learns his lesson of love and kinship.

 

Anthony Harkin is compelling as Jacob Marley and his warm, velvety baritone is welcome in the final song, Nicholas Kong is playful and engaging as Fezziwig and Sarah Morrison is warm and composed as Belle, Scrooge’s past love.

 

We marvel like children at the gloriously atmospheric set design (Rob Howell) of tumbled lanterns and drop lights, falling snow, Scrooge’s money boxes and secret compartments in the stage floor, and the evocative, often spooky, sometimes festive lighting.

 

There’s live music, song, dancing, snacks, tears and laughter. A Christmas Carol is a wonderful a Christmas tonic that reminds us of those who struggle to make ends meet. In London and here, moneys are collected and donated by the show to charities for the poor. Wenham spoke with warmth about donation to Foodbank. Collection boxes were at each door. 

by Kate Herbert 

David Wenham Ebenezer Scrooge

Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward -Young Ebenezer Music cello bass

Melanie Bird Jess

Benjamin Colley George

Andrew Coshan Fred

Bernard Curry Bob Cratchit

Anthony Harkin Father / Marley

Nicholas Kong Fezzwig

Stephanie Lambourn Mrs Cratchit  Mandolin

Debra Lawrance Ghost of Christmas Pasty

Samantha Morley  Ghost of Christmas Present

Sarah Morrion Belle

Emily Nkomo Little Fan

Cameron Taylor Nicholas

Alexis Abela, Sasha Hampson, Evie Rose Hennessy, Theo Wason-Bonnice Tiny Tim

David Wenham, Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Emily Nkomo_pic Jeff Busby

 

Ensemble_pic eff Busby