Linda Lokhee

Linda Lokhee is a dedicated primary school and special education teacher, a picture book author and published poet. She has written two children's books. Her debut book, The Sock Monster features a loveable but misunderstood purple sock monster named Ike. In The Night Noise, the main character is a very brave girl heroine named Quinn, as well as a loved furry Australian animal. Ike and Quinn are Linda's book babies! Her poetry book for adults is called Scattered Syllables. Linda loves experiencing all the different aspects of Australia's independent creative arts, and especially the visual and musical elements of live theatre. She enjoys being part of the Whats The Show reviewer team, writing reviews since July 2023. Her website is www.lindalokhee.com.

Adventure Before Dementia – Four Flat Whites in Italy

16 October 2023 Linda Lokhee

With a name like Four Flat Whites in Italy, I knew this play would have an international flavour. Directed by Tui Clark and written by Award-Winning playwright Roger Hall, this show places us as onlookers whilst the narrator, Adrian, portrayed by David Stewart-Hunter, talks to us directly. This works to immediately involve us in Adrian’s world.

Four Flat Whites in Italy is a comedy about a retired couple, librarians Adrian and Alison, played by Penny Church. When their planned trip of a lifetime to Italy faces a hiccup, they seesaw between the decision to cancel the trip or go. During a game of Bridge, when they have their new neighbours over, it’s decided that the four of them will travel together.

Harry, portrayed by Christopher Pali and Judy, played by Karen Pattinson, are as far away in personality from Adrian and Alison as can be. The quibbles begin almost immediately when they arrive in Venice. Some irritations were relatable, and I found myself siding with one character one moment and someone else when another quibble arose. This was thanks to Roger Hall’s clever script and the delivery of all four talented lead actors. Sometimes, all it took was a particular look to elicit laughs from the audience.

At the beginning of the play, Penny Church’s Alison was so uptight; her body language displayed someone who likes to be in charge. She was organised and had a strong dependency, gripping her Lonely Planet Italy guidebook. As the play progresses, we discover a tragedy that has shaped her and Adrian’s somewhat strained relationship, and she loosens her grip on the guidebook. I wondered whether this was intentional and represented Alison letting go of the past and the need to know what is ahead in life.

David Stewart-Hunter is outstanding as Adrian, mixing roles between narrator and acting in the story. He was a very likable character and felt as though he could have been anyone’s kind grandfather. Harry and Judy worked well as a team, with Christopher Pali and Karen Pattinson ensuring an onstage chemistry. Imran Khaliqi and Kimberlea Smith had strong supporting roles, playing several characters in the play.

The set background was well done, with worn exposed bricks and large columns placing us in Italy. The props were versatile, with two particular props used cleverly when turned in various ways.

This was a very character-driven play with minimal need for extra props in scenes, such as cups to hold or bowls of food brought when the characters were eating. The attention was more on the storyline and the interaction between the four characters.

Act 2 of the play becomes more harmonious as understanding, acceptance, forgiveness and letting go of the past develop. We see all characters soften.

There are some takeaway life messages in Four Flat Whites in Italy. As well as the above, I believe it is listening, really listening to the ones you love, and taking advice from those you may not know well. Everyone can show wisdom and kindness when it is needed. And, of course, one more message – visit Italy and have the trip of a lifetime!

Four Flat Whites in Italy is showing at The Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent St, Sydney.

Season: 14th Oct – 4th Nov 2023
Friday and Saturday nights at 7.30pm
Sunday matinée at 4.30pm
Tickets: Adults $35 / Concession $30 / Groups 10 + $30

Running Time: 2hrs 35mins including 20min interval

This review also appears on It’s On The House, or our checkout more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews.

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A Step Back in Time – The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

15 October 202314 October 2023 Linda Lokhee

When Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage…” he could not have more accurately described a Dark Stories interactive theatre experience. The Secrets of Carmichael Manor does not occur on a singular stage, where the audience sits still, watching a play. As with their previous theatre performances, Dark Stories unfolds in the real world and, in this case, inside several rooms inside the historic Experiment Farm Cottage in Harris Farm, Sydney. The audience moves from room to room alongside the characters.

The Secrets of Carmichael Manor was written and directed by award-winning actress Kate Jirelle, who takes on one of the lead roles as the bride-to-be Elspeth Carmichael in the play. Kate brought depth to her headstrong character.

Gary Leonard Belshaw, who played the role of Elspeth’s domineering father, George Carmichael, was a standout in the show. In contrast to brutish George was his gentle wife, Mrs Ada Carmichael, played by Erica Nelson. In some scenes, these three characters argue over family issues and the audience is made uncomfortable, as though we were intruding on a family squabble. However, witnessing this in the same room was a testament to their believable acting.

Set in 1919 and led by Father Patrick, played by Ben Durham, the audience is initially briefed on the mystery to be investigated outside the bungalow, built in 1835 and thought to be one of Australia’s oldest standing properties. I loved having the opportunity to enter this cottage in the evening. It was the perfect setting for the time period.

Entering the cottage, the Australian colonial furniture and beautifully polished wood floors transported us back in time to just after World War 1. Combined with the scent of wood and the steady ticking of the grandfather clock, one of the rooms created a 4D experience for the performance. Though at first, we were observers, this transitioned into us being integrated into the story.

The cast is joined by the Carmichaels’ servant, Mr Peter Schmidt, played by Matthew McDonald-Kearns. The costumes and hairstyling added to the authenticity of the 1900’s, and Mr Schmidt’s costume was one that particularly stood out to me with the authentic colour shade of his shirt and braces.

Father Patrick is our host and guides the audience through the house, propelling the story forward in a Miss Marple type style. There appeared to be a definite nod to Agatha Christie in this script, and at one point, a character asks who that is. (She had not yet released her first novel, which was due to come out in 1920.)

Amongst the seriousness of unfolding events, Father Patrick brings a comedic levity to the experience.

One unique aspect of the Dark Stories theatre is that it is immersive and unlike any other play currently showing. The characters interact directly with the audience, and we become part of the performance by helping to solve a puzzle or participating directly by asking questions or commenting. All of the cast were able to incorporate audience participant comments and adapt their character to respond with interjections and responses.

I imagine that no two performances of The Secret of Carmichael Manor are the same! I can’t give away anything about the plot because of spoilers, but it was an entertaining experience. It was fun to be a part of the play. Step back in time to help solve this mystery and unravel The Secrets of Carmichael Manor.

The Secrets of Carmichael Manor is showing at Experiment Farm, 9 Ruse St Harris Park.

Performances: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, 13 October 2023 – Sunday, 22 October 2023.

Show times: 5.30pm, 7pm and 8.30pm.

Click here for more Dark Stories Theatre Reviews

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I’ll Be Frank – Memories of Opa

12 October 202312 October 2023 Linda Lokhee

The JFF is upon us for 2023, and depending on where you are located in Australia, it will run sometime in the date range of 23 Oct to 29 Nov, so be sure to check dates for your local area. With many varieties of film genres available, let’s delve into Aaron Lucus’ short documentary film I’ll Be Frank which is a respectful nod to his grandfather, Frank.

The film opens with the information that former German citizens between 1933 and 1945 and their descendants who were deprived of their citizenship shall have their citizenship restored upon application. Thus begins an exploration into Aaron’s own family roots beginning in Berlin, Germany, where Frank was born.

Aaron brings out a large red book titled Some Memories of My Life by Frank Lucus, with the inscription, ‘lots of love from Opa and Oma’.

Frank wrote it with the meaning of leaving his family with some facts and memories of his life, and Aaron’s aim is to travel the path of his Opa. “I wanted to know how it felt to be in Berlin,” he says. Aaron opens his Opa’s book, and as he reads, the film seamlessly transitions into Frank’s voice, narrated by John Gadem.

The scenes in Berlin where his Opa lived were full of sunshine and portrayed how Aaron said he felt, a sense of beauty. In one shot, golden brown Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground. Stephen Korytko’s cinematography captured my attention throughout the short documentary film.

I’ll Be Frank is a unique documentary where the flashback memories of Frank and his family are represented by black and white animation, in stark contrast to the colour of the present.

This was an effective filmmaking strategy particularly in displaying some difficult and emotional scenes in the documentary. I’ll be Frank flits between Aaron telling the story and Frank in animation.

Aaron visits many places to learn more about his Opa’s life, such as the New Synagogue Berlin and the hospital where he once worked before the Nazis stripped him of the title of ‘doctor’ and called him a ‘Jewish handler of the sick’. He visited Soest in Germany and Sobibor in Lubelskie, Poland, a Nazi extermination camp where Aaron and the viewer learn about the atrocities committed there.

I’ll Be Frank is directed and edited by Aaron Lucus and won first prize at the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival for the Hearts, Minds, Souls. The original score is by Tarek Soltani, whose music created an emotive feel throughout the documentary.

I’ll Be Frank was successful in capturing my interest and would be suitable for teenage viewers and anyone wanting to hear a personal story of someone who has lived through and survived WW2. The story has heart, and Aaron has captured this in a respectful way.

Look for a film session in your town.

2023 JFF Festival Dates:

MELBOURNE
Classic Cinemas: 23 October – 29 November
Lido Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November

SYDNEY
Ritz Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November
Roseville Cinemas: 2 November – 19 November

HOBART
State Cinema: 2 November – 12 November

PERTH
Luna Palace Cinemas: 16 November – 6 December

BRISBANE
New Farm Cinemas: 16 November – 26 November

CANBERRA
Dendy Cinemas: 15 November – 22 November

GOLD COAST
Dendy Cinemas Southport: 16 November – 22 November

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

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Venus and Adonis – a Play Within a Play of the Sonnet

5 October 2023 Linda Lokhee

Venus and Adonis was filled with such strong performances; it came as no surprise to learn that the cast from Sport for Jove Theatre Company had previously been involved in the world of Shakespeare’s plays. Their delivery of various sonnets scattered throughout Venus and Adonis showcased their skills of navigating and steering the linguistics in a way that enthralled the audience.

I was particularly impressed with Anthony Gooley’s portrayal of William Shakespeare and how he coincided with the creation of sonnets in his mind by performing them aloud as the words appeared on the wall behind him as he spoke. This was a wonderfully original piece of visual theatre.

Venus and Adonis was written and directed by award-winner Damien Ryan, who has directed over 40 productions with Sport for Jove Theatre. I was at the opening night world premiere at The Seymour Centre for the play three years after the feature film of the same name was released in 2020. Many of the cast reprised their roles for this live performance.

It is a bold story of the woman rival to Shakespeare, his secrets, intertwining his wife Agnes Hathaway (Bernadette Ryan) and a personal family tragedy into an engrossing stage production. Bernadette garnered my sympathy as Will’s wife and put in a powerful performance with lines that cut.

The play begins dramatically, introducing us to William Shakespeare and his mistress, Aemilia Lanyer, played by Adele Querol, who also performs the role of Venus. Adele’s solid performance as both Aemilia and Venus stood out as both characters were strong women, with Aemilia (Millie) having a voice essential to the play’s theme.

Damien Ryan brought Millie into the story as a talented poetess and stage actor during the late 1500s when women were not as valued as men and not allowed to perform on stage or be published. (Aemilia Lanyer was the first Englishwoman poet to publish a volume of original verse in 1611).

Adele brought depth when she was portraying Aemelia, who played Venus in a private performance for Queen Elizabeth I. Belinda Giblin’s version of Queen Elizabeth I was both commanding and regal, showcasing a distinct no-nonsense intelligence and sharp humour, especially toward the second half of the play.

Alongside Venus in this play for the Queen was Adonis, performed by Jerome Meyer. In the sonnet, this character was ‘hunt obsessed’ and fairly bland but was brought to life colourfully as Jerome’s portrayal of Nathaniel (Nate) Field, who took on the challenge of playing a male. Nate was previously only performing female roles.

The supporting cast in the ‘play within a play’ was outstanding, with all cast members eliciting laughs consistently. The production and careful costume design by Bernadette Ryan firmly placed us in the Tudor period.

The stage was cleverly lit, with lighting designer Sophie Parker using mirrors and shadows to create atmosphere throughout the play. This was particularly poignant during an emotional scene with Hamnet Shakespeare, played by Liv Rey Laaksonen.

The use of music, composed by Jay Cameron and played whilst the characters spoke, provided the feel of a dramatic cinematic layer.

Venus and Adonis is an original stage production that I recommend for both Shakespeare fans and those who aren’t very keen on sonnets – who knows, after seeing this play, you may find yourself falling in love with the beauty of poetry.

Venus and Adonis is playing in the Reginald Theatre at The Seymour Centre, on the corner of City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale, between 29 September – 21 October 2023.

Duration: 165 minutes (including interval)

Tickets:

Full $54
Concession (Pensioner, Veteran, Full-time Student, Senior) $42
Under 35/ Groups of 8+ $39

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

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