Today, we had an About The Production discussion over Australian Open. This production is coming to the PIP Theatre in January courtesy of the production company 7th Floor Theatre. Australian Open, not to be confused with the actual Australian Open tennis tournament, is a fast-paced comedy about tennis and open relationships.
About Angus Camerons Australian Open
What is this Production about?
Australian Open is a play about tennis and open relationships. It’s a hilarious ensemble piece that uses witty dialogue to challenge societal norms whilst championing queer culture.
What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?
I am understudying the role of Belinda as well as the Assistant Director.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
I first became involved with 7th Floor Theatre through their weekly moved play reading series, Pot Luck Plays, and things evolved from there.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
I hope it will start conversations around open relationships. I identify as ENM (Ethical Non-Monogomous) which includes open relationships. I’m really excited to be part of a play that asks those kind of questions, and I’ve been enjoying chatting to the cast about it. The ENM world still faces a lot of discrimination.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
People are going to be surprised just how funny this play is!
Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?
Australian Open runs from January 8th to 18th, 2025. There are 7:30 p.m. shows from Wednesday to Saturday, and 2 p.m. matinee shows each Saturday.
Today, we had a Meet The Performer chat with Ellen Hardisty. Ellen will perform in Australian Open, which will come to the PIP Theatre in January courtesy of production company 7th Floor Theatre. The Australian Open, not to be confused with the actual Australian Open tennis tournament, is a fast-paced comedy about tennis and open relationships.
About Ellen Hardisty
What do you enjoy most about acting?
I love discovering different parts of myself and different ways of understanding the world that come from immersing myself in a new character. I love sharing stories and building community and asking the big questions and making people laugh.
What productions have you acted in before?
I have toured theatre around Europe – 6 shows in Rep!
What has been your favourite role so far in your career?
Playing Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble.
Do you believe talent or training is more important to an actor?
Acting is a mixture of craft and art. The craft of acting takes practice and training. The art of acting takes imagination and inspiration and bravery.
What do you think can make a role challenging?
I love challenging roles where the character’s experience is very different from my own life experience, and the depth of research that goes into these roles.
What do you think makes a performance most believable?
An actor having a thorough understanding and connection to their character, the story, and the world of the play.
Where can patrons purchase tickets to see your performance?
The Australian Open runs from January 8th to 18th, 2025. There are 7:30 p.m. shows from Wednesday to Saturday and 2 p.m. matinee shows each Saturday.
Last night I joined Esther and Jerry along with their ethereal counterpart ‘Abraham’ for “Esther Hicks is Vibrationally speaking” at the intimate PIP theatre space in Brisbane. The show is an engaging and quirky parody of the real-life teachings of American inspirational speakers Esther and Jerry Hicks.
From the very outset – and before we even take our seats, we’re allocated participant lanyards and instantly plunged into a simulated workshop that promises closer alignment to the vibrations inside the vortex and the laws of attraction!
The audience buzzed with playful anticipation of what was ahead of us. In just under an hour, award-winning director Elizabeth Millington cleverly guides us through the simulated interactive self-help workshop. Woven into this timeline is Jerry and Esther’s behind-the-scenes journey to inspirational speaking, which also hints at their increasingly tense relationship.
Claire Pearson (actor, writer, producer, comedian) and Kyle Walmsley (actor, comedian and RAW National finalist, 2012) hilariously bring Esther and Jerry Hicks to life with heart and conviction. Claire’s adept ability to morph into the entity ‘Abraham’ with such physical intensity made it impossible not to laugh! The show’s interactive nature encouraged the audience to ‘co-create’, ‘manifest’, and, in a mantra-like style, engage in a call-and-response communication, highlighting the powerful conformity of group behaviour.
Opposite Claire, Kyle delivers a strong portrayal of Jerry Hicks, the Ex-Amway businessman focused on sales, who grounds Claire’s whimsical Esther in the earthly plane.
The chemistry between Claire and Kyle is so palpable and convincing in their delivery that at one stage during the ‘workshop’ I found myself, along with other audience members reaching under our seats to find that elusive latest release book, which they hinted was there. They drew the audience into their world effortlessly, creating a shared experience that felt communal but also individual.
The minimalist set used subtle lighting to divide the stage, ensuring Esther and Jerry could be the central focus. They seamlessly moved from the cooler ‘on-stage’ left side to the warmer, soft purple glow of their home on the right side. The use of projected wall images effectively supports real-life excerpts of writings, teachings, and even a real video clip of Esther Hicks speaking.
The apt use of sound effects and music reminded me of the vibrations of a theremin instrument with an overlay of heartbeat sounds, adjusting the mood and pace of the show. The music signalling the show’s end was much more joyous and almost childlike.
Whether you’re a fan of self-help teachings or a curious sceptic, this show will resonate and make you laugh. Whilst there have been other iterations of inspirational teachings and books over the years, “Esther Hicks is Vibrationally Speaking” makes a brave move in highlighting the absurd attempts people make to find their true happiness.
If Abraham could speak to us now, he might say: “Are you ready to launch your rockets of desire and find your bliss?” With a blend of humour, tension, and unforgettable ‘mantra’ moments, “Esther Hicks is Vibrationally speaking” will leave a lasting impression and will likely resonate with audiences long after.
“Esther Hicks is Vibrationally Speaking” was performed as part of Pip Theatre’s annual Toucan Club festival, running until 21st December. For more details, visit www.piptheatre.org/toucanclub/.
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.
Villanova Players’ rendition of “My Fair Lady,” directed by Jaqueline Kerr, was a show that I looked forward to writing about. With such a diverse cast and creative set design, it was, for the most part, a pleasure to watch.
The stage was a rather limited but well-utilised space. Because of the large dancing numbers, including almost the entirety of the Chorus, opening the back curtains and allowing for slightly more space could have been to their benefit. There were also some issues regarding the security of the backdrops, as they were often seen swinging out of place, with parts of the props falling off or down on occasion. This was resolved quickly some of the time. The set design was cleverly planned, however, and involved three fold-able pillars on wheels. This assisted in the scene changes, creating a cleaner and more efficient method.
The choreography was simple but well thought out. Their use of space and shapes was reminiscent of old-school Broadway choreography, which was a joy to see. There were a few occasions when it seemed as though the Chorus required more practice or was overly nervous. Despite this, their vocals were almost always on point. Seeing how those in the Chorus were having a good time engaged the audience and allowed them to feel part of the revelry.
While the lighting and the timing of which was fairly polished, there were a few moments when the audio used throughout the show did not play at the correct moments. Or, possibly, the actors moved through the dialogue quickly enough to have a small amount of space between conversations and the beginning of the song. The cast played this off well, repeating lines and continuing on. It was good to see the actors attempting to work with the tech team. Having natural transitions and well-timed lighting and audio can make all the difference.
The casting of the lead roles brought the show together. Amelia Burton’s depiction of Eliza Dolittle was seamless and absolutely stunning. Her rendition of “I Could Have Danced All Night” can only be described as angelic and captivating. She captured the audience’s hearts from the very first note, perfectly portraying Eliza’s wit and tenacity. Andrew Alley played a highly convincing Professor Higgins, expertly portraying the emotional layers and theatricality that this role requires – and then some. His performance of “Let a Woman in Your Life” was thoroughly enjoyable and impressive.
Other notable mentions include Barry Hawarth (Col. Pickering), John Evans (Alfred Dolittle), Karen Marrinan (Mrs Pearce), Nicholas Sayers (Freddie/Chorus), and Jill Cross (Mrs Higgins). These are all admirable and charming depictions. The audience especially enjoyed Freddie’s “On the Street Where You Live” and Alfred Dolittle’s comedic stylings during the much-loved “I’m Getting Married in the Morning.” The male vocalists accompanying Dolittle’s songs were also praiseworthy and a joy to watch.
All in all, this production has a lot of potential, and I feel that with some polishing, it could be a triumph. Either way, it’s wholesome, fun, and a great evening out for all the family. I look forward to seeing where the Villanova Players go next.
The final show of the calendar year this season runs from 29 Nov – 8 Dec 2024. To book tickets to My Fair Lady, please visit https://www.villanovaplayers.com
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.
