‘Caravan ” by Donald Macdonald, an Australian writer, was first published in 1984 and reworked in 2000. After a wet week in sunny Brisbane, it was ironic that Nash Theatre opened with a play about a caravan holiday that hits a purple patch.
Firstly, a special mention of the set – wow, every barbie doll owner’s dream – the inside of a full-size caravan with bunk beds, double bed, sink and table and bench seats that took up the whole stage. It really was impressive, a great design that allowed the actors to be in a caravan, brilliant concept. Well done to the design and construction team led by director Phil Carney.
What could possibly ruin a rain-soaked caravan holiday with friends at a nudist beach? The mostly matured audience lapped it up as the high jinks and low spots of 3 couples were played out in the caravan of the Robinsons. Penny and Parkes (who had left the children at home) were joined by childless couple and long-time friends Monica and Rodney and “the Man about town” Pierce, with his latest, younger girlfriend, Gwendolyn.
What starts as a holiday with friends soon gets very complicated as it transpires there are friends and then there are friends with benefits, yup the good old running off with your best friend’s husband plot. The clumsiness of the affairs, the revelations of further affairs are all brought to the surface in this funny tongue in cheek look at the swinging side of caravan life.
Penny aka Phillipa Bowe was the unlikely adulteress and with an air of Mrs Bouquet had the audience chuckling away with her dowdy dress sense, it was at times like watching Susan Boyle flirting with Simon Cowell, very comical and funny to watch.
But with a husband like Parkes, played by James Hogan no wonder she is looking further afield. The aloof Parkes couldn’t seem to look anyone in the eye as he fussed about his precious caravan, and wanting to run things his way or the highway it did not take much to stir him up.
Gemma Keliher played Monica, mother to 2 fur babies, a sort of Kim character from ‘Kath and Kim” and she played it well. Great bogan voice, stylish dress sense and a downtrodden husband. Her experience as a performer did give her character a very polished edge and she was very entertaining to watch on stage, with mannerisms and interactions with the other characters that led to some very funny moments.
Nathan Seng as Rodney was the most unlikely to have an affair, but what would we know. What transpired was a rather nerdish Casanova adding to the hilarity of the awkward situations the lovers created.
And what group of friends wouldn’t be complete without a good looking rogue which was played by the rather loveable Hayden Sullivan as Pierce. With younger girlfriend in tow, he too harboured secret desires and his youthful and swashbuckling charm suited the character. This is his first appearance with Nash and he fitted right in.
Samantha Herde played a naive Gwendolyn with a sweetness that added a dynamic of youth to the middle age spread of actors. With traits such as twirling her hair and enthusiasm she brought a believability to her character with the audience on her side when the others were giving her a hard time.
Overall, this was a fun way to spend a Friday night – very well received by an audience that may have lived that holiday themselves tsk tsk. Again, congratulations to Phil Carney and team.
Make sure you catch it before it ends on the 6th of June. This friendly community theatre is tucked away in the leafy suburb of New Farm in the Merthyr Road Uniting Church. Lovely area with popular eateries nearby
Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie Rating
★★★★★
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First staged in 1953, Witness for the Prosecution is an enduring thriller from the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, following prisoner Leonard Vole (Reagan Warner) as he stands accused of murdering the wealthy widow Emily French, shortly after being made the primary beneficiary in her will. His fate turns on the testimony of his wife Romaine Heilger (Sandy Adsett) who hatches a plan which sends the proceedings into disarray, perplexing the prisoner’s barrister, Sir Wilfrid Robarts (David Hill) and audience alike; In typical Christie style, suspense ascends certainty, the solution is shrouded until the very end – and we are in for entertaining evening, piecing the puzzle together.
Reagan Warner is animated and layered as Leonard, showing appealing restraint in the role, effectively embodying his character’s very English sensibilities. Leonard is portrayed as familiar, respectable and at least superficially decent – however the audience question their trust in his true character and motivation, with cause for our reservations remaining throughout. David Hill has some fine moments as Sir Wilfrid Robarts, capturing suitable ambivalence with nice rhythm in the witness examination scenes; While Hill strains for his lines occasionally on preview night, his portrayal is nonetheless sympathetic, with the bearing and gravitas required for an esteemed man of the law.
As Romaine Heilger, Sandy Adsett is enigmatic, eye-catching and thoroughly enjoyable, as we wonder whether she is duplicitous or dedicated. Liz Hull as Janet Mackenzie is another highlight, creating a memorable characterisation, paying fabulous attention to small details such as gait and gesture, turning her supporting role into a scene-stealer. As Greta, Kailan Tyler-Moss is sweetly naïve, bringing some levity to the plot’s more serious business.
Elsewhere, Luke Friedman is a lively study as Mr Myers KC – showing deft comedic flourishes, serving side-eye and sanctimony as he huffily adjusts his horsehair wig. Toby Chittenden is a memorable and commanding Inspector Hearne, David Scholes provides an unflappable and determined Dr Wyatt, with John Grey an assiduous Mr Carter. Wayne Hinton as The Judge, Paul Hynes as Mr Mayhew, Kip Jeffree as Court Clerk and Marisa Bucolo as The Woman each make an impression in their smaller roles.
The costumes look wonderful, the set and sound design are simple, yet effective. Unfortunately, the timing of sound effects is off in parts – i.e., a collective gasp from the jury, which lands about 2 seconds late. I think the jury sound effects could be dispensed with altogether, but if they are retained then tighter timing and smoother fadeouts would benefit. However, such critique is minor as overall Vox Productions have delivered a riveting revival of this compulsive courtroom caper. Hearty congratulations to Director/Producer Nicky Whichelow and the entire Vox Productions team.
Get ready for an unforgettable school holiday experience as Cirque Nouvelle returns to Queensland for a strictly limited season, bringing its visually spectacular and high-energy contemporary circus to Brisbane (Friday June 26) and the Gold Coast (Saturday June 27). Following sell-out performances across Australia, this internationally acclaimed production features an elite ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancing artists, delivering a thrilling fusion of physical artistry, theatrical storytelling and modern stagecraft.
At the heart of the show is a charismatic and quirky ringmaster confronting a universal theme: change. Blending humour, heart and breathtaking skill, Cirque Nouvelle explores the evolution of circus—from the nostalgic wonder of the traditional Big Top to the bold, technology-driven spectacles of today.
Audiences are taken on a visually rich and emotionally engaging journey that honours circus traditions while reimagining what the future of the art form can be. Perfect for families these school holidays, Cirque Nouvelle promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its blend of daring feats, storytelling and theatrical magic. A new evolution of circus has arrived. Book now!
“Elevated by on-point storytelling, Cirque Nouvelle is a celebration of everything circus, highlighting its humble beginnings and showcasing what the future may hold as a sleek, theatrical spectacle for all.”
The Bubbles Festival Melbourne: A celebration of all things sparkling!
Natalie Pickett founded The Bubbles Review 10 years ago, when her first blog educated those who thought Moet was spoken like the end of the word, “ballet”, with a silent T, when really, it’s pronounced “Mo-wett.” Natalie should know. When working as a tour guide in Europe, on a guided trip to Moët et Chandon, she confirmed this exact fact.
Natalie’s ‘Bubbles Reviewers’ Club’ offers members monthly rewards, tasting technique masterclasses and more discoveries and invitations via www.thebubblesreview.com
I met some of her club members on Saturday, 2nd May, for Bubbles Festival Melbourne, at River’s Edge Events in the World Trades Centre – in a room with a stunning view of the Skyline Wheel and Polly Woodside. Holding our complimentary Riedel sparkling glasses (included in our tickets), we were all thirsty to begin when Natalie welcomed our group and spoke about some important terms to remember before sampling the bubbles on offer. She reminded everyone to hold their glass by the stem, as best to view the bubbles in the middle. We were advised to enjoy the experience of each sparkling with each of our five senses; even holding the glass to our ears – as though listening to a seashell on the beach – and to take in the scent with our noses, as far as they’ll go into the glass before tasting.
“Bubbles – Just like a hug in a glass” and “ABC = Always Bring Champagne” slogans called to us from TV screens around the room. After this, we would visit all the Exhibitor tables to indulge in the exquisite selection.
In between tastings, we were served trays of various Canapés – including Truffle and Mushroom Arancini. We also indulged in a succulent seafood station and a cheese station – perfect bubbly food companions.
Ian was the friendly host from Clover Hill. He poured my first tasting with CLOVER HILL TASMANIA EXCEPTIONELLE MULTI-VINTAGE, (59% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier) – a light straw/green hue in the glass, vibrant citrus and stone fruits on the nose and crisp acidity on the palette.
My second tasting was the CLOVER HILL TASMANIA ROSÉ MULTI-VINTAGE (66% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier) with fresh vibrant strawberry notes upfront on the nose. The palate was layered and creamy with red forest fruits, to a balanced, long finish. This one was sweeter than the first and a little too perfumed for my taste – still a lovely sparkling.
My third taste was the CLOVER HILL BLANC DE BLANCS MULTI-VINTAGE – Tasmania with 100% Chardonnay. This one reminded me a tad of the lovely Billiecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV from France. It too, is characterized by aromas of citrus, white peach, and brioche with a creamy texture.
Tasmanian cool-climate sparkling wines are dominating at the moment, having taken out all the trophies at the 2025 Australian Sparkling Wine Show and Clover Hill is no exception, having been recognised by The Real Review as one of the best producers in the country. They are consistently ranked among Australia’s top producers with a 5-star Halliday rating.
Ian had a fourth offer in CLOVER HILL ROSÉ D’ASSEMBLAGE MULTI-VINTAGE (63% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Meunier), which I didn’t get to sample as I felt drawn to the French table while there was a lull in the crowd.
I met Jean Paul at the Philippe Fourrier table for a quick chat. Since 1847, this family Champagne house located in Baroville, is anchored in an exceptional terroir, the Côte des Bar, in the south of Champagne appellation area.
JP’s first French pour was the CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – ROSÉ DE SAIGNÉE (NV) (90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay) with a light red to deep rosé hue and orange reflections, its fine and persistent bubbles adding elegance in the glass. The nose opened with ripe raspberry and fresh red berry aromas.
JP’s second French pour was LOUIS PERDRIER FRENCH BRUT (NV) – Bordeaux – France (100% Chardonnay), an exceptional French Sparkling. Deliciously toasty notes melt into the scent of golden apples. Gentle and harmonious on the palate with some richness tempering the citrus finish. For me, this was the best sparkling of the day.
The third French pour was CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – PINOT MEUNIER BRUT (NV) – Champagne, France (100% Pinot Meunier), with a beautiful pale-yellow hue and fine bubbles bright in the glass. The nose offered fresh red fruit aromas of subtle blackberry, hints of peach and plum. This one seemed a tad light to me after the Brut.
Lastly, I met Kathy at the Sutherland Estate stand – a small, second-generation family-owned enterprise located at a picturesque location in Dixon’s Creek, a mountainous area, past Yarra Glen in the Yarra Valley. Her first pour was SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2021 BLANC DE BLANC SPARKLING – Yarra Valley (100% Chardonnay). Made from 100% Chardonnay in the Méthode Traditionelle, with secondary fermentation and ageing in the bottle.
Kathy’s second pour was her SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2023 SPARKLING TEMPRANILLO (100% Tempranillo.). This renowned sparkling red is unique because we don’t often see a Tempranillo here in Australia. Sutherland have been making it for more than 12 years, and it’s all grown onsite. It has spent twelve months in seasoned barriques before undergoing secondary fermentation on lees in the bottle made Méthode Traditionelle, having a powerful burst of mid-palate fruit of berries, dark cherries, a bit of liquorice, with peppery spice and earthy undertones to finish. The palate is medium-bodied and well structured, with fine tannins and a persistent bead. A great match with cheese and charcuterie. It had the power of a sparkling Shiraz and I’m keen to visit their Cellar Door for more.
I tried the SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2025 SPARKLING ROSÉ (with 100% hand-picked Pinot Noir). Whole bunches of Pinot are harvested from the vineyard and come into the winery and straight into the press immediately leading to the gorgeous pale salmon colour. The aromas are bright and enticing with rose petal, strawberry and perfume. On the palate were strawberries and cream. A delightful summer’s drink, but for the last glass of the day, I had to return for one last taste of the Sparkling Temperanillo.
Illustrator, Susan Kerian, who some recognised from her work with retailer, ‘Blue Illusion’, returned to showcase her original illustrations – perfect for ‘Emily In Paris’ fans and Francophiles.
All sparkling wines and Susan’s artwork could be purchased on the day so, I happily departed with my order for delivery of four of the LOUIS PERDRIER FRENCH BRUT (NV) from Bordeaux, two of the CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPE FOURRIER – PINOT MEUNIER BRUT (NV) – from Champagne in France and six of the SUTHERLAND ESTATE – 2023 SPARKLING TEMPRANILLO from the Yarra Valley, because according to F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
All of the exhibitors offered great deals for purchasing on the day. I’ve never understood why tastings sometimes don’t allow that, but at Bubbles Festival, you could take the wine with you on the day, or get it delivered later, which was ideal. $5 from each ticket went to the Sacred Heart Mission, St Kilda. Natalie chooses a different charity to donate to in each of her state’s events.
It was a sunny 25degree day in Melbourne and I tasted some new and exciting Sparklings and Champagnes, met like-minded and vivacious souls, feeling the fresh bubble of life, therefore, I thoroughly recommend attending the Bubbles Festival.
Here are the other states’ Bubbles Festivals, coming soon:
Brisbane – 9 May 2026 – Get your tickets here! Sydney – 22 & 23 May 2026 – Get your tickets here! Adelaide – 6 June 2026 – Get your tickets here! Perth – 20 June 2026 (TBC) – Join waitlist here!
