Debra Campbell🥈

Author badges: 🥈 Silver Reviewer (33 reviews) Debra Campbell is the founder of Beyond Dance - proudly supporting Beyond Blue (@dance2forblue), which has raised many thousands of dollars for mental health. Debra is passionate that the Arts in all its forms can truly help one enjoy important time for themselves. She has lived a life of dance, theatre and visual art and believes therefore there are no ‘bad’ shows, there is ‘good’ in every show – “they are all different and will give you different experiences and feelings, so it is always worth venturing out to see one”. Returning to writing from her former years, Debra looks forward to meeting new artists and highlighting their creativity for everyone to appreciate. https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/fundraise-for-beyond-blue/posts/beyond-dance https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/t/dancetwoforblue

First Curtain Festival: Seven Short Plays By CGTC

16/03/202607/03/2026 Debra Campbell🥈

First Curtain Festival Rating

★★★★★

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Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre presents ‘The First Curtain Festival’. A 2 hour celebration of seven original short plays, written by local playwrights and staged by Melbourne-born talent. Each play is directed by a seasoned or rising director from the community and audiences are in for a wonderful night of variety.

All plays shown at each performance:

THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN SLEUTHS by Noah Sargent, directed by William Rotor
Trapped by a blizzard, five of the world’s greatest gentlemen sleuths must solve the murder of Mr. Corpse before they all turn on each other instead. Who did it?!

BYSTANDER by Jennifer Pacey, directed by Ben Klein
The unthinkable has happened. A man has thrown himself in front of an arriving train. Three women tell the story of what they saw, trying to make sense of it all, and of themselves.
Please be advised this play contains suicide.

CHIPS by James Gordon, directed by James Gordon
It is Ghafour’s first day of work at Apopotatosis: a company that takes randomly selected people from the Australian population and turns them into chips to then sell off for profit. What could possibly go wrong?
Contains coarse language.

DROP DEAD by Benjamin Chesler, directed by Lakshmi Ganapathy
In the dead of night, in the middle of winter, a slapdash team chop firewood – but nature has other plans for them…
An Australian Gothic play that’ll make you think twice about venturing out into the bush at night.
Contains loud noises and strobe lighting.

EMILY TAKES A LOVER by Julie Murphy, directed by Julie Murphy
Emily’s husband is having an affair. Will she get her revenge?
Contains themes of adultery, abortion and toxic family dynamics.

SALMON by Peter Farrar, directed by Angus Fitzpatrick
During rush hour a frustrated chef and an apathetic waiter have a heart-to-heart in the alleyway outside of the fine dining kitchen.

THAT STORY ABOUT THE LOUVRE by DS Magid, directed by Jai Barlow
Ever hear the one about the impressionist who broke into the Louvre to finish a painting?

This was perhaps the most varied night out at a theatre I’ve experienced. Seven different short plays in one sitting, so something for everyone to sit back and enjoy, assess and chat about afterwards.

I love to immerse myself in the world of the actors in front of me for a couple of hours. This one local to me in my favorite little Clayton Theatrette, easy to get to and park – bonus!

All the scripts were pretty clever, but I liked best ‘CHIPS’ surprisingly which I guessed correctly in advance would be crazy! It was definitely super dooper crazy! ‘CHIPS’ received the biggest laughs of the night so it made the perfect Final piece. Imagine a factory where humans are turned into potato chips – goodness how does a writer come up with such cooky creativity and make it work! Shout out here to Simona Riftin in the cast, her vibrance for roles in community theatre is infectious and I’ve seen her in a number of plays now. Henry Vo had fantastic interaction with Benjamin Chesler who was equally great and his line of being the ‘f….. boss’ spread uncontrollable loud laughter across the entire crowd.

Coming in a close second for me on the program would be my appreciation for ‘BYSTANDER’. Extremely well acted by all the girls; Alexia Brady and Shirin Albert were amazing with their feelings expressed and Crystal Haig (WAAPA grad.) was astoundingly believable in her explanation of how her character felt in watching someone jump in front of a train, and going through the trauma how she was ‘not fine’. I do believe ‘BYSTANDER’ is an award deserving script and took a deep amount of emotional courage from both the writer and actors.

My hubby’s favourite was ‘THE LAST GENTLEMEN SLEUTHS’ as wondering and wandering through a who-dunnit with a cast that also involves the audience with tips along the way is always a lot of fun. The actors’ language accents were excellent and when those same talented people came out in different items throughout the night they really showed off their extraordinary versatility!

Well done everyone!!

Ticket link: https://events.humanitix.com/first-curtain-festival

Seeing original work is a privilege and Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company (CGTC) is a community theatre company formed to encourage alumni, friends and families of Camberwell Grammar School to continue, revive or ignite a drive for the performing arts. It was easy to see their love for the performing arts and what a wonderful way to stay connected and connect to others at the same time. Theatre has so many aspects in which one can be involved, it’s a pity not more schools have these types of groups ongoing after school is finished. I know I would’ve loved to have been involved in one.

To book tickets to First Curtain Festival, please visit https://events.humanitix.com/first-curtain-festival.

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VOGUE: Humor, Glamour, And Edge To The Forefront!

03/03/2026 Debra Campbell🥈

Viva – Vogue Rating

★★★★★

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VOGUE is one of two shows on currently at VIVA Melbourne – above one of the most popular performing arts training centres in the country; Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, but the show employs artists from near and far. Every singer and dancer is a top level representation of hard working talent.

Advertised aptly; ‘Riches come to life and cabaret re-invented!’

I can agree with that. VOGUE is a variety cabaret show unlike any other I have seen, excepting maybe in Las Vegas, and their venue gives a ‘Vegas’ feel as soon as you enter the luxury upstairs. Seating is semi-circled booths and tables. Glamorous dancers in heels will be showing you to your seats and handing you the menu – you can order / eat / drink right here. We are one level up with the best view, but there are tables right on the stage edge …. more about that choice next if you’re game.

A bartender walks on stage and awkwardly introduces himself – he explains he will open the show whilst the real host has been delayed…. Hmmmm… he seems very good at hosting jokes and noteworthy comedic ability is well received by interaction from the audience members he engages with unsuspectingly. If you want to take a punt and sit down front, WARNING: risk to become part of the show LOL 🙂

The digital backdrops in this place are fantastic! I absolutely LOVED the luminous magazine covers for the feature item of VOGUE; each cover-girl positioned spot on and in the dark to suddenly shine brightly under a spotlight of photographers and paparazzi, but Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ is not the only smash hit you’ll be looking at.

We are taken from song to song, country to country and movie to movie. We enjoy flashbacks of stars from the silent screen to more randomly selected audience members getting their chance for a moment in ‘Cats’ and ‘Grease’ – their partners still in their seats needing no encouragement to get phones up and have those videos shaking with laughter!

The Spice Girls were spot on and perfectly costumed; Baby Spice took me back in time in her high boots and pigtails (she was always my favourite). Scary in her signature leopard print, Sporty in her athletic wear (now there’s a chance for sponsorship), Ginger strutting out in the Union Jack and Posh engrossing in a black jumpsuit I would’ve died for in my youth!

Get ready for some ‘tiny’ costumes too – you need to be comfortable with that when watching this show (VOGUE) and Viva’s later night show (VICIOUS) gets even more raunchy we are told.

A highlight is the aerial acrobatics on the huge hoop that appears from nowhere out of a circle above us, not once but many times throughout the evening and each time showing off completely different tricks to the last, all incredible with graceful extensions and some interesting poses – especially when our host dangles himself down (you’ll have to go see to find out what that means…..).

Impossible to list everything this neo-burlesque show offers. You will be witnessing an explosive feast of entertainment including a James Bonds meets Charlies Angels, an ELVIS in Viva Las Vegas like none I have seen before, a rendition of Dirty Dancing that is totally Uproarious, a Spiderman in all his glory, the squealing high kicks of the Can-Can in Paris, the cirque silks of Egypt and the Brazilian Samba moving into Spain, plus MORE, ending in an all-laughs Australian Finale with thongs of all sorts.

My No. 1: I’d have to give it to the side-splitting ‘Bee Gees’ take off

Thank-you VIVA team – this show can only expand in popularity as it becomes more well-known… watch this space 🙂

VOGUE: humor, glamour, and edge to the forefront!

Ticket and info link: https://vivamelbourne.com.au/

I recommend this show for anyone over 18 who has a sense of adventure into the unknown and for Melbourne tourists too interested in seeing our fabulous home grown artists. There are not many shows close to our city for a reasonable price where you can also enjoy good food and drinks whilst watching. Note: We particularly loved the fries, arancinis and the themed cocktails.

VIVA Melbourne’s all-round inclusive show-food-drinks concept is impressive!

Ps. the bathrooms are out of this world – nowhere, anywhere has bathrooms like this, so if you don’t have time to do your make-up at home just bring it with you!

To book tickets to Viva – Vogue, please visit https://vivamelbourne.com.au/events/.

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Mamma Mia!

16/02/2026 Debra Campbell🥈

Mamma Mia! The Musical Rating

★★★★★

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Mamma Mia! is μεγαλοπρεπής (magnificent!)

A little Greek island has popped up in Melbourne’s beautiful old National Theatre.

As I arrive walking in behind two girls who had been turning heads walking down the footpath in full blue jumpsuits and white boots, many more were in the foyer dressed up Insta-ready for a night in the world of ABBA songs and a journey of love, laughter and finding out what’s really important about family.

I’ve seen Mamma Mia! 12 times and each time I love it more. Who doesn’t love ABBA? Well, if you don’t, don’t let it stop you from going because this musical offers surplus to ‘thank you for the music’.

The story in Mamma Mia! is super-charged with questions. ‘What would’ve happened if I’d done that?’ ‘What will happen if I do that now?’

This is where Mamma Mia! sits – a story centering around an important choice where villa owner Donna, played exceptionally well by Bek Chapman, chose to embark on a solo-parenting life. Her now 20 year old daughter Sophie, played beautifully by Belle Parkinson, is confused as to why she does not know her Dad and so invites three potential mentions in Donna’s old diary to her upcoming wedding at the villa, but without telling her mother she has done so. Donna and Sophie share many heartfelt moments and the fact they look similar make it more believable as mother and daughter co-stars. (I tried not to cry this time at ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ but did not succeed – likewise I have girls who wore pigtails)

Strong performances by Sophie’s three possible Dads, all played by accomplished thespians, Sam Anderson as Sam Carmichael, Shannon Foley as Harry Bright and Luke Stephens as Bill Austin, they all give each of their characters due seriousness and light-heartedness. When you have three leads like this with this type of experience you are going to get a WOW factor regardless; they bounce off each other like they’ve been performing the show for months already.

Adding to the males in this impressive cast is Jesse Vasiliadis as Sky (Sophie’s future husband). Jesse is a grad of WAAPA Fine Arts Acting, I particularly felt all his lines were so well delivered I could’ve been watching the movie in those parts, and in any of the more complex movements required about the stage at various times he was also nimble on his feet!

Sky’s buddies Pepper played by Abe Geyer and Eddie played by Deklan Haas were every bit the clowns, so funny!

As for Sophie’s supportive besties; Elena Atanasovski is fabulous as Ali, her training at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance definitely shows; and Ally Long as Lisa, a graduate from the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre – yes excellent! They both understudy main roles too so look out for these two.

There is some hard-hitting choreography in this rendition (by choreographer Adriana Pannuzzo). The energy of the cast is overall infectious and I loved how they added dancers on side to many songs. The ‘moving bed’ is a huge prop to work with and is shown off by brilliant co-ordination of lighting (Ian Scott). The choreography particularly in this scene, ‘Under Attack’, is absolutely well thought out as it’s difficult to make such a scene look seamless.

As is common in this musical, the audience went wild for all the boys in their flippers on stage with the character of Donna’s friend Tanya played by Sasha Hennequin teasingly singing ‘Does Your Mother Know’ and this is usually my favourite. It was fantastic as always and Sasha is superb as the foxy Tanya, however my smile muscles got another good workout watching the interactions of Donna’s other bestie Rosie played by Antoinette Davis with her very direct sex appeal toward the initially hesitant, but then enthusiastic Bill played by Luke Stephens – they were frick” hilarious!!! That ‘Take a Chance on Me’ scene stole ‘best in show’ for me this time around.

Within the ensemble I noticed constantly Patrick Friedlander shining and later learned with no surprise he is a WAAPA graduate and was chosen as the show’s Dance Captain. Another was Geelong’s Lily Mullen-Wood getting my attention, I flip through the program and yes no wonder, she’s currently training at Transit Dance with Andrew Hallsworth. Definitely two to watch in future amongst this whole group of top talents.

Finale was sparkly and spectacular with the biggest ABBA hits! ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Waterloo’ and naturally ‘Dancing Queen’ saw EVERYONE getting involved in the atmosphere, and I have to give credit to Karen Spencer for her outstanding use of having those quick change costumes!

I recommend you grab a bunch of friends (Abba loving or not), dress up (or at least wear something blue), and say I do I do I do want to go see Mamma Mia!

Congratulations to Director Pip Mushin and Musical Director Kent Ross working on this show with Executive Producer Andrew Gyopar and their entire production team, cast, crew and creatives.

CAST:
DONNA – Bek Chapman
SOPHIE – Belle Parkinson
SAM – Sam Anderson
HARRY – Shannon Foley
BILL – Luke Stephens
ROSIE – Antoinette Davis
TANYA – Sasha Hennequin
ALI – Elena Atanasovski
LISA – Ally Long
SKY – Jesse Vasiliadis
PEPPE – Abe Geyer
EDDIE – Deklan Haas
ENSEMBLE – Alessandra Negro, Angelo Vasilakakos, Darcy Ward, Gabrielle Ward, Isabella Gangi, Isabelle Pascua, Joey Phyland, Lauchie Mant, Lily Mullen-Wood, Matilda Simmons, Patrick Friedlander, Sophie Loughran, Steve Thomas.

To book tickets to Mamma Mia! The Musical, please visit https://agtheatre.com.au/mammamia/.

Photographer: Natalie Edge Photography

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STARBOUND MUSICAL THEATRE – Talent, Tenacity, Teamwork!

20/01/2026 Debra Campbell🥈

Starbound Rating

★★★★★

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‘Talent, Tenacity, Teamwork!’ titles the program to the annual STARBOUND MUSICAL THEATRE production. In its 22nd year, those three words really do sum up the high standard and work ethic of everyone involved.

Founded by Jason and Georgina Parker, experienced teachers in the world of drama and all things associated with the stage, they run a tight ship and ask for no less than complete commitment for two weeks from each and every performer, but this well-known husband/wife team along with a myriad of mentors and creatives are also very welcoming, friendly and encouraging.

Every January their annual show ‘STARBOUND’ is a delightful, funny, energetic, thought provoking and outright entertaining mix of musical theatre songs perfected by the strong young cast of students aged 14 – 21 (this year there were over 100!). Each individual song performance could be dropped straight into the musical it came from no questions asked. These young people on stage are all out of the box and they are, without doubt, potential future stars!

Having had my own eldest just leave to live overseas and take up a professional performing contract, I know what these kids on stage are going through and what many are hoping for: to work as a professional performer. Anywhere, but in Australia especially, this is a tough ride, a tough ask and a tough goal to achieve. Participating in STARBOUND MUSICAL THEATRE gives every single person on stage that opportunity – to experience what its actually like to be in a professional show and have the support of a creative team to learn from. The best in the business join Jason and Georgina each year to offer helpful tips and guidance. Putting on the show is just part of this intensive course. Over long rehearsal days, friendships are made and belief is built.

They open spectacularly with TWENTY MILLION PEOPLE (‘My Favorite Year’), followed by OPENING NIGHT (‘The Producers’) and WHAT’S INSIDE/OPENING UP (‘Waitress’). Eagerly awaiting seeing ‘Waitress’ myself to come to Melbourne I absolutely enjoyed a little sneak-peak of the main character and all going on around her.

Following was my ‘pre-decided’ favourite number of the program I NEVER MET A WOLF WHO DIDN’T LOVE TO HOWL (‘Smash’). I watched the Smash series with my daughter after she received it on DVD as a gift years ago and we both squealed with excitement when we heard it was actually becoming a musical. Again, thank you Starbounders for showing off this new work – I have to remind myself that everyone on stage is under the age of 22. So much talent!!!

Lots more favourites continue on with pizzazz and enviable costuming. Who doesn’t love a chance to BEND AND SNAP (‘Legally Blonde’) or completely flip emotion and cry with ONE MORE DAY (‘Les Miserables’) bringing the house down prior to interval.

The fact they’ve done this in two weeks is unbelievable and something lots of the audience are talking about whilst perusing over the ‘Company 26’ names in the program waiting for the curtain to go up again.

An equally fantastic second act included colourful interpretations of ONE SHORT DAY (plus others from ‘Wicked’). Brilliant pink v. green lighting helped make these outstanding and in fact no props were needed in the show, the lighting guys throughout are to be commended.

We finish the two hour production on another of my all-time faves, CONFIDENT (‘&Juliet’ – happy to be hearing it again after my last review) and CAN’T STOP THE FEELING (‘&Juliet’) gives an entire cast party atmosphere with the audience and stairs full of smiles, claps and waves to their loved ones watching on proudly. The theatre is packed!!!

On a side note, I took my Mum to this show and I always ask what my accompanying guest likes best – she loved THE MARCH (‘Suffs’) and said it was extremely powerful! She had not seen or heard of it before but truly understood the message of equality sought and portrayed by the strong presence coming through a young female ensemble. To have given such presentiment deserves recognition. There are still parts of the world where standing strong for equal rights is more than relevant. I am sure the audience felt that final stance in the row of black dresses.

And here’s a few more side notes I’d like to applaud:

The Heathers group with CANDY STORE, I haven’t seen this show, but now I want to!

The jump splits line (Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders inspired?) and all the choreography – NAILED

The ‘Cry-Baby’ transition from THE ANTI-POLIO PICNIC to WATCH YOUR ASS – two completely different songs but seamless, exceptionally well done (also loved the costuming and jiving here)

The guy playing Fiyero in DANCING THROUGH LIFE, exactly!

The tiny little girl who belted out CONFIDENT as confident as Demi L herself

I could go on and on… CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!

If you have children or young adults you know interested in pursuing a career in Musical Theatre, STARBOUND MUSICAL THEATRE is definitely one to check out – see ‘how to audition’ on their website:

https://starboundmusicaltheatre.com.au

“The best two weeks of the year” would be in agreeance I imagine for hundreds of young people over more than two decades, and yes, some have even seen success not only securing roles in professional shows in Australia, but on Broadway too!

This annual show isn’t just for those families who know someone in it, its for anyone and everyone who love Musical Theatre so follow their Instagram @starboundmusicaltheatre

The Alexander Theatre is easy to get to, free parking on weekends, lovely to sit in comfy seats, a lift for anyone needing it and I think the only thing missing is the mandatory ‘choc top’ on the menu, will have to suggest that to them haha.

To book tickets to Starbound, please visit https://starboundmusicaltheatre.com.au/.

Photographer: Georgie Parker

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