Sir Terry Pratchett’s The Fifth Elephant

The Fifth Elephant

The Fifth Elephant Rating

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6

The Fifth Elephant, one of Terry Pratchett’s many successful fantasy novels, inspires this whimsical and spellbinding stage play from Brisbane Arts Theatre Company. This production, directed by Sarah Drew and Eleni Koutsoukis, was especially exciting to attend as I was interested to see how the themes and characters of Pratchett’s Discworld novels come to life.

While the stage design was simple, the crew used contemporary methods to convey scene changes and effective space use. In the top right corner of the stage was a black, long staircase from which characters could emerge to signify a character’s status or moods and give group scenes more varied dynamics. It was well received in each instance and an adequate expression.

Something of note was the use of lighting and projections. In the first act, the lighting crew encountered occasional timing issues a few times. Despite this, each time, they recovered quickly, and it became less of a distraction as the show went on, and their cues were more on point. The use of red flashing lights during one of the action scenes and the red lighting during one of the final scenes aligned well with what was happening and engaged viewers. Using projected images to signify scene changes was a simple but clear way to manage the design and cast movement. Instead of moving furniture between scenes and waiting for transitions, the cast could immediately focus on the next one.

 

As for the actors and actresses, I was very impressed by the amount of talent and focus they conveyed in each scene. The physical demands of the roles of those who played werewolves/wolves/talking dogs were also commendable, as they often had to move about the stage reasonably quickly during action scenes.

Especially notable mentions include the roles of Commander Vimes, Carrot, Igor (all of them), Wolfgang, Littlebottom and Skimmer. I enjoyed seeing how all of these characters interact and how the actors professionally and thoughtfully executed them. Their use of comic relief, tension, body language, and vocal tone made each scene stand out in quite a unique way. If I were to pick one scene that the audience and I seemed to have favoured and thoroughly enjoyed, it would be the final scene between Vimes and Wolfgang. The audience also enjoyed the Igor scenes; many spoke lovingly of them during intermission.

Each actor, whether in a major or minor role, did an amazing job, and I am eager to see how their skills are utilised in the next production.

The Fifth Elephant runs until the 2nd November. Book your tickets for one of the remaining performances @ https://www.artstheatre.com.au/productions/sir-terry-pratchetts-the-fifth-elephant/

Friday 25th October – 8pm
Saturday 26th October – 7pm
Sunday 27th October – 2pm
Thursday 31st October – 8pm
Friday 1st November – 8pm
Saturday 2nd November – 7pm

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.

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Redcliffe Musical Theatre Presents The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones Rating

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1

Redcliffe Musical Theatre’s interpretation of “The Lovely Bones” is a spellbinding, tragic tale of the Salmon family as they navigate the grief and the investigation behind the murder of their daughter and sister Susie. Watching from her place in the heavens, Susie attempts to interact with and process the scenes that play out in the world she has since left. Based on the book by Alice Sebold, this play was adapted for the stage by Bryony Lavery and directed by local theatre professional Sandra Harman.

One of the first things I noticed was how well the actors took advantage of the space. The set design gave them a white backdrop, using varying heights and whitewash lighting to create a dynamic that clearly defined each scene. To distinguish the spiritual realm from the earthly, they used stairs and a small platform for scenes where Susie (Zoe Hitchcock) would struggle and bargain with the laws and limitations of her personal heaven. When challenging those limitations, Susie would come to centre stage to interact with other actors or deliver emotionally gripping monologues. Whereas, the Salmon family would mainly have their scenes stage right, either seated or around the family dining table. The left of the stage was often utilized in the scenes outside of the family home.

Contemporary theatre techniques, such as the use of music and multi-media were, for the most part, appropriately applied to complement scenes. While there were times they were used to accompany some comical relief, it was otherwise used to portray emotional moments, memorials or memories Susie relived. The simple backdrop allowed the audience to focus in on the actor’s performance, allowing actors to pull focus when needed. As there were a lot of emotional and psychological layers to the characters and plot, I felt that they each portrayed their roles quite well.

Jack and Abigail Salmon (Jonny Sweeper & Dee Heath) were especially commendable in their roles as they portrayed an accurate depiction of grieving parents, trying to keep the family from falling to pieces while still having their personal struggles. The actors playing multiple roles (Rachel Albrecht & Nikki Glowacki) gave impressive performances as Franny, the Sargent, the heavenly counsellor and Grandma Lynn. Minor roles such as Ray (Cobe Robbins), Ruth (Sarina Brener), Lindsey (Rory Argyles) Buckley (Lyds Dunne), Holiday the dog (Tylah-Jay Foster) and Detective Fenerman (Tim Albrecht) were colorful and confident in their depictions, adding the warmth and sentimentality required to paint Susie’s life as it was.

The character of George Harvey (Adrian Mackay) was appropriately executed and especially notable for their subtle ferocity and calmness in the face of conflict. I would have liked more complex scenes for this actor to explore the character further and see more of the actor’s skillset.

The role of Susie Salmon seemed to require a lot of emotional depth and the ability to explore that through multiple, heart-wrenching monologues, all of which actress Zoe Hitchcock executed effortlessly. Stepping into such a demanding role could be daunting for most, but it was quite clear that they were up to the task. I am eager to see their success as they grow in their skills as performers.

While there were occasions where nerves were apparent, I admire the cast for their commitment and professionalism within their roles. If there is any feedback, it would be with the volume and quality of the musical transitions. There were times when the music was too loud or did not seem to line up with the emotion of the scenes. Other times, the music felt too abrupt and distracting, seemingly taking away from the scene. It may put the audience at ease if there were a gentle fade-in or similar approach when playing music to enhance the show.

All in all, I highly recommend “The Lovely Bones”, and I am eager to see what the cast and crew of Redcliffe Musical Theatre do next.

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.

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Lord Of The Flies: Presented by the Gold Coast Little Theatre

Lord of The Flies

Lord Of The Flies Rating

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3

Due to budget cuts or in an effort to shield the students from the harrows of castaway life, my school decided to remove Lord of the Flies from the English curriculum. So, Gold Coast Little Theatre’s production last night was the first time I’ve ever experienced the madness of William Golding’s literary classic.

If you, like me, aren’t aware of the full story of Lord Of The Flies, let me give you the cliff notes version, literally:
In Lord of the Flies, British schoolboys are stranded on a tropical island. In an attempt to recreate the culture they left behind, they elect Ralph (Amelia White) to lead, with the intellectual Piggy (Mia Waldron) as a counsellor.

But Jack (Bree Paige) wants to be leader, and one by one, he lures the boys from civility and reason to the savage survivalism of primeval hunters. The disturbing tale portrays the children’s journey into turmoil and indicates that humanity’s inherent nature is barbarous.

To say that this production kept me on the edge of my seat is an understatement. The all-female cast of 13, led by Amelia White as Ralph and Bree Paige as Jack, under the direction of Joshua McCann-Thomson, worked tirelessly to bring this disturbing story and all of its themes to life in the most exciting way. Even though the actors might be young, this story and its dark motif are probably suitable for teenagers and above.

 

Gold Coast Little Theatre is nestled in Southport, a stone’s throw from Australia Fair, surrounded by pubs and restaurants if you want to make a night of it. It has ample off-street parking if you want to drive, but it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from Southport South Station if you want to leave the car at home.

Seating for people with disabilities is available for all shows on request to the Box Office (until booked out). These seats can be booked by phoning the Box Office and are not available online. So, if you’re looking for an exciting night out, give Gold Coast Little Theatre’s Lord Of The Flies a go. The show runs from August 21st until September 21st.

Book your tickets for any one of the six remaining shows @ https://gclt.com.au/lord-of-the-flies/

Remaining Sessions
Friday 13 September, 7.30 pm
Saturday 14 September, 7.30 pm
Sunday 15 September, 2 pm

Thursday 19 September, 7.30 pm
Friday 20 September, 7.30 pm
Saturday 21 September, 7.30 pm (Closing Night)

Photographer: TTL 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.

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Javeenbah Theatre Presents: Kimberly Akimbo

Kimberly Akimbo

Kimberly Akimbo Rating

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2

To be honest, I am struggling to write this review. Not because it wasn’t an amazing show but because I wasn’t adequately prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that was David Lindsay-Abaire’s Kimberly Akimbo. Even though my therapist would highly approve of me writing to process my trauma, I am pretty sure that she meant it in a private journal and not in a public theatre review.

The year is 1999. Kimberly could be a typical 16-year-old if her life weren’t anything but typical. A rare medical condition means her body’s aged four times faster than it should. Grey hair, failing eyesight and forgoing body glitter for anti-wrinkle cream don’t quite make you Miss Popularity. But Kimberly’s about to make a friend. And just maybe, her life is going to change. If only her pregnant Mum could tone down the hypochondria. Hopefully, her Dad will start keeping his word. And with any luck, her aunt’s new scheme won’t blow up in their faces.

But don’t let the theatre’s fluffy synopsis fool you. This play is as heartbreaking as it is funny. But suppose you are looking for a redemptive “feel good” story about family members adapting and learning to live with someone with a chronic or terminal illness or disability, then you will probably leave impacted with plenty to think about on the trip home.

The story is less about the people in Kimberly’s life supporting her through her challenges and more about Kimberly having to tackle those obstacles entirely on her own. As someone with a chronic illness myself, some of the themes hit a little close to home for me. The show also tackles the challenging themes of addiction, family dysfunction, and mental illness, so it is better suited to audiences 16+.

Having said that, though, the entire cast brilliantly acted out the story. Kimberly is played by Naomi Thompson, who does an excellent job of playing a teenager juggling life and the symptoms of an illness in the most insane circumstances. Her parents, Patty and Buddy, are played by Cassie Baan and Rory Schiele and are joined by Patty’s eccentric sister, Debora, played by Maegan Weir. The cast is rounded out by Jeff, played by Sam Modra, a fellow student from Kimberly’s school who takes an interest in her for a school project. All of the actors put in such heartfelt performances under the fantastic direction of Kaela Gray that left me crying tears of laughter and sadness.

 

The whole production was extremely professional, and you could tell that everyone poured their heart and soul into bringing this story to life. Everything from the costumes to lighting, sound, and set design was thoughtfully planned and executed, making it easy to get swept up in the story. I encourage you to give Javeenbah a go and support your local community theatre artists.

Javeenbah Theatre is nestled on the corner of Steven and Ferry Street in Nerang, overlooking the Gold Coast skyline. There is ample parking onsite or on the street, and the theatre serves drinks and a small selection of snacks for patrons to enjoy before or during the show.

The theatre is on ground level, surrounded by grass and gravel, but there are no stairs to negotiate for theatre access if you use a mobility aid. The theatre is quite intimate, with excellent views of the stage from any seat in the house, comfortable chairs and ample legroom.

If you are looking for a fun evening on the Gold Coast, I highly recommend attending this show.

Kimberly Akimbo is playing at Jeveenbah Theatre, Nerang, from August 31st to September 14th, and I am excited that there will be an AUSLAN-signed performance on September 7th and a “relaxed, toned-down” matinee performance on September 14th.

For tickets, book at https://javeenbah.org.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.

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