The Last Acre
by Sean Riley
Oddbodies Theatre Company
The Bakehouse
February, 2003
Reviewed by Murray Bramwell
We know, and absolutely don’t want to know, how a single action, a single impulse can change everything. This is what we mean by a life-or-death moment, that split second, as we call it, when something irrevocable occurs and it can’t be changed back. This is the moment that can’t be believed even when it is re-lived repeatedly, the moment that is still …
Continue Reading Back to top2003
Nixon’s Nixon
by Russell Lees
P&S Productions
in association with Arts Projects Australia
Dunstan Playhouse, March 2003
Reviewed by Murray Bramwell
Much of what I know about Richard Milhous Nixon came from the unbiased testimony of Hunter S. Thompson. Throughout the Watergate hearings in 1973 he reported for Rolling Stone, despatching down his infamous mojo wire the most scabrous accounts of the disgraced president which were duly published alongside exhilaratingly vehement illustrations by Ralph Steadman.
Nixon was fair game. …
Continue Reading Back to top21 February, 2003
Murray Bramwell
Ristorante Immortale
A Floz Production
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.
Ends 1 March. Tickets $28 -$ 42. $96 Family of 4.
BASS ph. 131 246.
The Ristorante Immortale is unlikely to get a listing in the Michelin Guide, or anywhere else for that matter. It has zany waiters, an accordion wielding cook, an endlessly hopeful owner and, it would seem, no customers at all. This restaurant is not so much immortal as in a state …
Continue Reading Back to top2002
Salt
by Peta Murray
State Theatre Company
The Space
Reviewed by Murray Bramwell
The State Theatre slogan for 2003 promises to spice up our lives. In fact the culinary metaphor already applies. For their final production this year the company has chosen Salt, a work by Peta Murray about mothers, daughters, and food, food and more food.
This play has enjoyed seasons around the country, originating at Playbox in Melbourne, after which it has been served in WA, Queensland …
Continue Reading Back to topSalt
by Peta Murray
State Theatre Company
The Space
November, 2002.
Reviewed by Murray Bramwell
The State Theatre slogan for 2003 promises to spice up our lives. In fact the culinary metaphor already applies. For their final production this year the company has chosen Salt, a work by Peta Murray about mothers, daughters, and food, food and more food.
This play has enjoyed seasons around the country, originating at Playbox in Melbourne, after which it has been served in WA, …
Continue Reading Back to topState Theatre Company 2003 Season
Previewed by Murray Bramwell
The cat is out of the bag. Well, seven cats actually. While the Latin band plays, the Queen’s Theatre is up to its tiara in subscribers, theatre artists and the rest of the State Theatre faithful – all gathered to hear Artistic Director, Rosalba Clemente announce the company’s season for 2003.
Since taking charge of the company three years ago, Clemente has worked hard to rebuild and re-energise the team at …
Continue Reading Back to top7 October, 2002
Murray Bramwell
Scenes From an Execution
by Howard Barker
State Theatre Company of South Australia
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.
Until 19 October, 2002. Tickets $ 42. Conc. $ 37. CLUB26 $16.50
Bookings: BASS 131 246
The execution referred to in Howard Barker’s play, written for radio in 1983 and first fully staged in 1989, is not a death, but the creation of a painting. But the painting is about death, the slaughter in the Battle of …
Continue Reading Back to top30 Sept, 2002
Murray Bramwell
Twinkle Twinkle Little Fish
Based on the Works of Eric Carle
Windmill Performing Arts
Her Majesty’s, Adelaide
Until 5 October. Tickets $20 Adult,
$12 Children/Concession $56 Family.
Windmill Director Cate Fowler describes Twinkle Twinkle Little Fish as a production which was determined to be born. Commissioned for the 1998 Out of the Box Festival in Brisbane, it nearly stayed in its box when ACT based Company Skylark crashed after an embezzlement scandal. Fowler found rescue …
Continue Reading Back to topThe Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Ruysch
by Hilary Bell
Vitalstatistix
Queen’s Theatre
Copenhagen
by Michael Frayn
Sydney Theatre Company
Dunstan Playhouse.
September, 2002
Reviewed by Murray Bramwell
While these are two very different productions – they are a world apart in theatrical style – they share a common reflection about what happens when Science Goes Wrong. Or do I mean : too Far, or too Weird, or when it presses on even when it can’t see what is further up …
Continue Reading Back to topMy Girragundji
by Meme McDonald and Boori Monty Prior
Bell Shakespeare Company
Space
July, 2002
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Based on the book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
Windmill Performing Arts
Dunstan Playhouse
Windmill has opened its account with two excellent works. This new company dedicated to producing programs for families and children was a pet project for outgoing Arts Minister Diana Laidlaw and, boosted by a handsome operating grant, has now become one of the centrepieces in the …
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