Adelaide - Whats The Show

About The Production – The Other Place

30 March 2025 Davros Dark

The Adelaide Repertory Theatre is getting ready to dive into the enigmatic world of “The Other Place!” and invites you to join in on the journey.

This emotionally charged theatre production tells a tale of loss amidst human complexity. During an About The Production discussion with The Rep, we discussed what to expect.

About The Other Place

What is this Production about?

“The Other Place” is a gripping and emotionally charged play that explores themes of memory, loss, and the complexities of the human mind. The narrative follows Dr Juliana Smithton, a brilliant neurologist whose life begins to unravel in unexpected ways, taking the audience on an enigmatic journey.

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

It is a very emotionally charged story, which makes for a very challenging production from many different perspectives involving cast and crew.

What will the audience think about in the car as they drive home after this show?

The play has many deep themes that are all relatable to the human condition in all of us.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

SPECIAL EVENT: Following each matinee performance, we are hosting an exclusive Q&A session featuring the Director, cast, and advocates from Dementia Australia. These advocates specialise in providing services and support for those living with Dementia and other cognitive health challenges.

This event offers a unique opportunity for families, friends, and colleagues of individuals with Dementia to engage, learn, and connect with experts in the field. Don’t miss this insightful and meaningful discussion.

Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?

The Other Place runs from 24th Apr – 27th Apr and 30th Apr – 3rd May. To book tickets to The Other Place, please visit https://artstheatresa.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/142694.

Thu 24 Apr at 7:30pm (opening night)
Fri 25 Apr at 7:30pm
Sat 26 Apr at 7:30pm
Sun 27 Apr at 3:00pm (Sunday matinee)
Wed 30 Apr at 7:30pm
Thu 1 May at 7:30pm
Fri 2 May at 7:30pm
Sat 3 May at 3:00pm (Saturday matinee)

Thank you so much for sharing insight into “The Other Place.” Your dedication to exploring such poignant themes is inspiring, and we wish you all the best for the performances. Break a leg!

Other production interviews can be viewed here in our About The Production Series.

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No Love Songs: Poignant And Impactful

20 March 2025 Cherelle

No Love Songs Rating

★★★★★

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“No Love Songs” was my first visit to the newly opened Foundry Theatre located inside The Star Casino’s glamorous building. The quaint size and layout of the theatre creates an immersive and intimate experience for the audience and I look forward to spectating many more shows in this fabulous new venue. The acoustics and viewing would be fantastic from any seat in the theatre which makes it, in my opinion, a very inviting theatre.

The “No Love Songs” musical is based on the book written by Laura Wilde and Johnny McKnight which was inspired by real-life experiences of Kyle Falconer and his partner Laura Wilde. The featured songs are written by the musician Kyle Falconer.

The musical stars the incredible Keegan Joyce and Lucy Maunder and is co-directed by Andrew Panton and Tashi Gore. Music direction is expertly provided by Mark Chamberlain.

“No Love Songs” is a harmonious Yin and Yang balance of grief and joy, sublimely written to strike the audience with the juxtaposition of tears and laughter. The script is superbly written with natural flowing dialogue and a generous sprinkle of witty comedic gags, all of which were delivered impeccably by the stars Lucy Maunder and Keegan Joyce.

The script delves deeply into themes of depression, loneliness and relationships. It highlights the importance of bringing light to the hardships of parenting and in particular post natal depression. Shedding light on these ‘once unspoken’ topics, yet still not spoken enough about, is vital for urging more conversations, actions and reassurance.

The writer has truly achieved a very natural realistic depiction of struggling young parents in their personal relationship together and with their child. I’m certain most can relate to the struggles couples face: keeping in combined rhythm, picking up the missed beats for each other and being cautious not to drop the drumsticks altogether into a fathomless pit of no return.

It was a stellar performance by Lucy Maunder and Keegan Joyce, two immensely talented industry professionals. The acting diversity of both is applaudable and easy to understand their great successes to date and undoubtedly in the future. They delivered unfaltering honest character portrayals coupled with brilliant vocals and musicianship. Neither could be faulted in their brilliant hard hitting performance. Their casting was a commendable choice and they admirably portrayed a convincing real-life couple.

Staging, costumes and props were minimal which felt authentic to the script. Unnecessary props and elaborate staging would have likely depreciated the poignant impactful themes. The music may not leave you singing as you leave the theatre or asking Google to play the soundtrack but I don’t feel like that was the intention. The obvious intentions of the “No Love Songs” musical is to be conversation striking, thought provoking and impactful and these intentions are mastered to perfection.

No Love Songs is on tour around the country. For date/time sessions for your local area and to book tickets to No Love Songs, please visit https://www.nolovesongs.com.au/.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Cherelle

Mario The Maker Magician

18 March 2025 Kenneth Stephens

Mario The Maker Magician Rating

★★★★★

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Mario “the Maker Magician” Marchese is a New York-based performer, author, and maker. He tours worldwide with his wife, producer, and children. He incorporates DIY electronics and robotics into his projects, using magic to inspire limitless creativity in children and families.

This is a fun and amazing show for the whole family. Mario is a dynamic performer. Larger than life, he commands the stage. Even on one of the hottest days in Adelaide, he still put on a stunning show. But I feel we are grateful as he sprays water about the venue, cooling and more sleight of hand.

The audience was totally engaged with Mario’s every move. The hand-made props add a gorgeous charm to the show. They remind you of the toys that children would make themselves with cardboard, paint, and sticky tape. It took me back to my childhood, and I imagine that a lot of the parents were remembering their childhood.

It was also relatable to the younger audience members, the arts and crafts they like to do on a rainy day. Magician David Blaine, whom he has toured with, has labelled Mario “the best kids’ magician in the world”. He has appeared on the “Sesame Street’ show and with Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show. Even David Copperfield has heaped praise on Mario.

The show revolved around robots that Mario had hand-built. There was a lot of audience participation in the show, and the kids loved it. The kids loved the magic, and so did the adults.

Mario touches on his favourite teachers and what they mean to him, reminding the audience that teachers have had a pivotal role in our lives. This is part of the misdirection. In fact, the show starts with some simple, sleight of hand tricks. They immediately draw the audience in. Mario has us all hooked. The pace accelerates, and more tricks are revealed. We are introduced to the simple but fun robots.

The pace of the production helps with the sleight of hand and misdirection, which are important in this show. Mario makes positive statements about children and how the simple act of getting up on stage as a volunteer is a brave moment in their lives. We should applaud this.

The audience’s reaction throughout the show is something to behold. I have never seen an audience so captivated, engaged, and incredibly noisy. He owns the venue, and he takes along his magic journey, meeting those who have influenced him, like Andy Warhol.

As the show progresses to the finale the strings of the story come together. And with an ending we did expect it comes to a close. We are left wanting more. Which is how all shows should end.

The takeaway from this fun, glorious production is “Follow your dreams”.

Performed by Mario “the Maker Magician” Marchese
Written by Mario and Katie Marchese
Produced by Katie Rosa Marchese and Chris Cox

To book tickets to Mario The Maker Magician, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/mario-the-maker-magician-af2025.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Kenneth Stephens

Popera: Sex, Death & Politics

15 March 202515 March 2025 Peta Williams

Popera: Sex, Death & Politics Rating

★★★★★

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Uma Dobia presents this performance as a fun and interactive opportunity to educate the audience on the perils of what it is like to be a female within the world of opera.

Despite her obvious love and clear depth of knowledge of opera, this diva soprano damsel in distress openly blames opera for the docile and tragic stereotypical female roles within this art form. Setting out to set the record straight by influencing the audience about the distaste she has for this long-held ‘norm, ’ Dobia and her accompanying pianist ‘Carol’ start a nonsensical game show that is inclusive of unsuspecting audience members as they become part of the onstage entertainment.

Costumed in a racy red jumpsuit and knee-high sparkling silver stiletto boots (very impressed and left wanting some of my own), Dobia acts as the gameshow’s host for the evening’s frivolity, spinning the wheel for the adults only styled entertainment.

After her assistant and heart throb Trevor left her high and dry, which the audience learns about via a video message left by said assistant, Dobia takes charge of the stage and the show…between the tears and tantrums and unfortunate visuals of Trevor consistently shown by the tech crew who have not been informed of Trevor’s sudden departure, the audience is taken on a ride that interweaves pop and opera music through Dobia’s stunningly performed vocals.

This Adelaide Festival Fringe show performed at The Mill, a venue that provides a wonderful ambiance for a smaller production, did not have a large audience; however, Dobia did an incredible job, working hard to ensure those in attendance were thoroughly entertained.

Although the multiple-choice game show questions were, for the most part, unanswerable by its participants unless they had a reasonably comprehensive knowledge of opera, Dobia’s impressive vocals and call to arms for opera to ‘do better’ does not go unnoticed in the creativity of this informative, entertaining and saucy production.

To book tickets to Popera: Sex, Death & Politics, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/popera-sex-death-politics-af2025.

Photographer: Zena Photography

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Peta Williams

About The Other Place

What is this Production about?

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

What will the audience think about in the car as they drive home after this show?

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

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