1998

Murray Bramwell

Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love by Brad Fraser. Director: Rosalba Clemente. Designer: Robert Kemp. Lighting: Geoff Cobham. Composer: Stuart Day. State Theatre South Australia, Optima Playhouse.

Moliere’s The Misanthrope adapted by Victoria Hill based on an original concept by Tim Maddock. Director and designer: Tim Maddock. Lighting: Geoff Cobham. Costume design: Gaelle Mellis. Brink Productions. Balcony Theatre.

As its meandering title suggests Brad Fraser’s hit play from 1988 is concerned with eros and …

1998

Macbeth

William Shakespeare

State Theatre

Space

Reviewed by Murray Bramwell

The last time we saw Shakespeare performed in the Space was Neil Armfield’s Belvoir Company B repertory season of Hamlet and The Tempest. It was excellent chamber work which used the venue to great advantage. So it was a very great pity when Richard Roxburgh, playing Hamlet, did his cruciate on the second night, forcing the cancellation of an exemplary production.

The contrast with State Theatre’s ill-judged Macbeth…

Master Class
by Terrence McNally
State Theatre South Australia/Adelaide Festival Centre
Optima Playhouse

Reviewed by Murray Bramwell

Master Class is New York-based playwright, Terrence McNally’s account of sessions Maria Callas held at the Juilliard School of Music between October 1971 and March 1972. These classes, as Rodney Fisher’s informative program notes remind us, took place at a difficult time for La Divina. Her career was, by this time – like her voice – if not in shreds, at least in …

State’s 1998 Season

Murray Bramwell

Perhaps it was the threatening storm clouds, perhaps it was the funeral-chic black worn by many of those in attendance. Maybe it was because it has been such a long time coming. Whatever the reason, the announcement of the 1998 State Theatre season, now formally in conjunction with the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, seemed a skittery and desultory affair.

Arrayed on the lawns adjacent to the Back Stage Bar and Grill, a mixed crowd of …

1997

Murray Bramwell

Perhaps it was the threatening storm clouds, perhaps it was the  funeral-chic black worn by many of those in attendance. Maybe it was because it has been such a long time coming. Whatever the reason, the announcement of the 1998 State Theatre season, now formally in conjunction with the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust, seemed a skittery and desultory affair.

Arrayed on the lawns adjacent to the Back Stage Bar and Grill, a mixed crowd of theatre workers, …