Love and Information: A Joyous Exploration of Tiny Moments

Love and Information

Love and Information Rating

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Love and Information at Theatreworks offers a joyous, fast-paced journey through a series of micro-moments that illuminate the many facets of human connection. Under the vibrant direction and choreography of Belle Hansen, this production presents a kaleidoscope of vignettes, each one a tiny window into love in its countless forms: between parent and child, siblings, romantic partners at the beginning or end of a relationship, and even the more abstract, conceptual experiences of love. The result is an adventurous theatrical experience that feels both immediate and expansive.

From the moment the lights rise on Harry Gill’s cleverly designed set, rotating pieces transform with ease and projections of bright blue skies and puffy clouds by Hannah Jennings sweep the audience into a world that is as visually inventive as it is emotionally resonant. Sidney Younger’s lighting design bathes each scene in a warm palette, underscoring tenderness or tension as required. At the same time, Jack Burmeister’s sound and composition evoke the golden age of Hollywood with music inspired by Gershwin. At times, the soundtrack dances alongside the action, punctuating moments of tenderness or humour and making the transitions between vignettes feel seamless.

The cast is a diverse ensemble—Junghwi Jo, Iopu Auva’a, Jane Edwina Seymour, Jack Francis West, Charlie Morris, Felix Star, Emma Woods and Sean Yuen Halley—who bring these snapshots of life to vivid, often playful reality. There is an energy onstage that feels akin to actors exploring a Meisner exercise: words float above the subtext, and true meaning emerges from silent exchanges, body language and emotional undercurrents. Each performer embraces that challenge, allowing humour, heartbreak and wonder to coexist within a few lines of dialogue.

It is apparent that collaborative work between the director and actors was central to the rehearsal process, and moments of genuine spontaneity lit up the stage.

Movement and choreography are integral to this production. The actors flow across the stage, interacting with set pieces, props and each other in ways that feel organic. Choreographed movement ranges from subtle shifts in posture to more overt group sequences that push the action forward. The rotating set becomes a character in its own right.

Costume design by Harry Gill is a highlight: the soft, inviting palette feels both lush and approachable. Each colour choice seems deliberate, through oranges, blues and earth tones that mirror the emotional tenor of each vignette. The textures of fabric invite the audience into a human, tactile world. The actors’ wardrobes become an extension of emotional colour, visually echoing the subtext beneath their brief but potent scenes.

If there is one area where a gentler touch might allow the emotional truth to breathe even more, it is during the second half of the show. As the pace quickens and the stakes rise, certain confessions or confrontations feel rushed, as though the performance is intent on maintaining momentum rather than lingering in nuance. A few extra beats here or there, just a fraction of pause, could allow subtle shifts in expression or tone to blossom more fully. That being said, the ensemble remains fully committed, and any sense of haste never feels careless or rushed.

Overall, Love and Information is an inspiring theatrical adventure that marries inventive design, spirited performances and moments of genuine emotional resonance. Belle Hansen and her creative team have delivered a production that celebrates the beautiful complexity of human relationships. Theatreworks provides the perfect intimate setting for these fleeting stories to land with impact. If you have ever wondered how a few lines of dialogue can carry an entire universe of feelings, this is the show to catch. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to experience this vibrant, daring exploration of love at TheatreWorks.

To book tickets to Love and Information, please visit https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/love-and-information.

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Nice Work If You Can Get It

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Nice Work If You Can Get It Rating

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7

“What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.” Quoted in the Director’s note in the program for ‘NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT’ playing at The National Theatre in St Kilda 16-31 May presented by CLOC Musical Theatre. Mark also said he would add the word “laughter” to the above quote, and this show has done just that with the whole cast wholly embracing the story with “froth and fizz”.

This musical was one I had not heard of before. How that is possible I’m not quite sure as it’s definitely my type of musical; full of comedy that has you laughing out loud, Gershwin songs we recognise from a bygone era and set in the 1920s with plenty of tap dancing to boot. Don’t know how I’ve missed this title to date, but very happy to now share my viewing experience and highly recommend all ages to go along and enjoy this hidden gem of Broadway. Ticket link: https://www.cloc.org.au/

CLOC Musical Theatre doesn’t need any introduction, especially in Melbourne; they have been operating at the forefront of amateur theatre for over 50 years! Their productions are of a standard that ooze professional quality and the set on this one – WOWZERS!!!

Imagine you are seeing on stage a ‘Barbie’ style dream-house for a moment and that’s where you’re going. A huge pink beach house on Long Island belongs to the mega-rich ‘Winter’ family, but is hardly ever used. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, those circumstances give way to a trio of goofy criminal friends who decide to hide their stash in the house. After all, no one will be there.

I don’t like to give away too much of the plot, because I know there will be others, like me, who will be seeing this for the first time, but if you like shows like Guys & Dolls and Thoroughly Modern Millie, you’re going to definitely LOVE this one. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT is a quirky comical love story between two (or three) people with lots of equally amusing sideline stories which all tie in perfectly together at the end, even ties you don’t think will be revealed. It’s a bootlegging blast!

My favourite character was ‘Eileen’ (‘the finest interpreter of modern dance in the world’), played by Lisa Nightingale, her bath scene is hilarious and delicious! Shout out again to the set builders, the costume designers conjuring up the bubbles and flowing pink fabric, and, the amazing gals in the ensemble, who make this scene one to remember forever.

Lead roles were all faultless. Award-winning Will Hanley, back at CLOC for the 6th time, smashes the role of playboy ‘Jimmy’; opposite him is the exceptional voice of Lauren Holcombe playing wallet-stealing ‘Billie’ – these two are a communicative combo. Some of their sequences especially with dancing up and down many stairs required a lot of skill – well done; also to the choreographers who would have given much thought into pulling that step timing safely together.

Liz O’Hanlon playing ‘Duchess Estonia’, who falls for the impostering manservant of the house, is excellent; her characterisation being very clear and absurdly funny. I and my friend (giggling constantly beside me) absolutely loved her in the scene where she finally succumbed to the secret alcohol, and Joshua Saunders (famously known for his meme face) playing ‘Cookie’, who carries her off the table, is splendid – they both indeed precisely land these comedic situations.

The entire ensemble is colourful magic – well done to all of them, no show is complete without the ensemble and there’s great engagement from all of them in every moment. There are some well-known names amongst and a couple I personally immediately recognised were Tyler-Rose Shattock, a legendary coach in the world of calisthenics and Caleb Waterworth who has grown up from being a child in the professional show of Matilda to touring recently with the Australian Ballet. Caleb in particular had me in stitches with face expressions and his movement antics in the beach scene.

Our biggest laughs though came from watching the portrayal of Jimmy’s mother ‘Millicent Winter’ played by Lee Threadgold, her story unfolded gradually, but you will have to go and see the show to see why……
‘NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT – A New Musical Comedy’ is promoted by the President of CLOC as a chance to forget the outside world for a few hours. Just enjoy yourself – no need to think, no need to worry – enjoy the music, laugh, smile and be part of a simpler time.

Well, we nailed that, THANK YOU EVERYONE!

EVERYONE is:
Ric Birkett, President CLOC Musical Theatre
Mark Taylor, Director
Susan Lewis, Choreographer
James Rooney, Assistant Choreographer
David Clausen-Wisken, Musical Director
Victoria Horne, Costume Designer
Marcello Lo Ricco, Sound Designer
Justin Karakai & Sally Martin, Co-Set Designers
Brad Alcock – Lighting Designer
Will Hanley playing ‘Jimmy Winter’
Lauren Holcombe playing ‘Bille’
Lisa Nightingale playing ‘Eileen’
Joshua Saunders playing ‘Cookie’
Thomas Myszka playing ‘Duke’
Melanie Ott playing ‘Jeannie’
Chris Anderson playing ‘Senator Evergreen’
Liz O’Hanlon playing ‘Duchess Estonia’
Mike Gardiner playing ‘Chief Berry’
Lee Threadgold playing ‘Millicent Winter’

ENSEMBLE: Tim Allison, Bryce Dunn, Simone Lay, Madeleine Magetti, Robert Mulholland, India Morris, Thomas O’Reilly, Claire Robinson, Sujanthan Satkumarajah, Tyler-Rose Shattock, Ashley Tynan, Tailem Tynan, Caleb Waterworth, Hayley Wootten.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Music and Lyrics are by George & Ira Gershwin, Book by Joe DiPietro, inspired by Material by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse.

Venue: https://nationaltheatre.org.au/

To book tickets to Nice Work If You Can Get It, please visit https://www.cloc.org.au/nicework.html.

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Storked: The Reality Of My Body Is Monstrous

Storked

Storked Rating

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3

Storked is a vignetted interrogation of all things uterine: what it means to have a uterus, the expectations of having a uterus, and the “choice to choose.” The play looks at periods, pregnancy, monogamy, family, parenting, sex, and what it means to choose to have children in today’s world.

The show is told across four acts, broken down into a mixture of skits, short narratives and thought explorations, each with their own witty title card, wrapping each moment into a neat bow. What’s truly impressive here is that throughout every single segment, it all connects seamlessly to the key idea at the show’s core; what it means to have a uterus, regardless of your gender.

The pacing was fantastic, and each act threw a different tonal angle at you with what it wanted to say. The first act was my favourite, a great mix of absurdist comedy following a brutal body horror opening. As the show progressed, this first act was the perfect reminder of the range of each performer on stage. As the scenes and themes became heavier, I was reminded of how much each actor made me laugh, then so easily in another context made my heart break for them. I always find it impressive how you can dive so deep into a topic and really strike a chord but do so whilst still making the audience laugh, which Storked pulled off effortlessly, through witty writing and exceptional use of physical comedy.

Storked took on an excellent use of staging, incorporating technology in a way that really added another level to the show. The titles of each scene made me giggle every time, even when the performance accompanying it put a pit in my stomach; a perfect encapsulation of how this show twists and turns tone, whilst somehow never tipping the pendulum entirely in favour of one or the other in a really remarkable balancing act.

At the end of the performance, it was an added thrill to scroll through the cast and crew listing and see a sea of nonbinary and femme pronouns taking the majority. As a queer femme myself, this makes my heart sing. To know how authentic and true to life these stories are, how insane the stakes become in sections of these vignettes, but still connect so deeply with the material its tackling, is because it all comes from a collective of people who share this frustration, fatigue and downright rage for the societal systems that force us to think about these things all the time from far too young of an age.

Storked is a true blend of genres, taking elements of body horror, satirical comedy, spoken word poetry and blending it into a hilarious, devastating and ultimately truthful exploration of what it means to have a womb.

To book tickets to Storked, please visit https://antipodestheatre.com/.

Photography:- Angel Leggas 3 Fates Media

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Betrayal: Chapel Off Chapel

Betrayal

Betrayal Rating

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2

For those familiar with Harold Pinter’s plays, you will know the spitfire dialogue his work is famous for, and Betrayal does not disappoint.

The story centres on a seven year affair told in a reverse order and cleverly represented through the literal drawing back of the scrim curtain as the play unfolds. Almost immediately it’s made clear that director Rachel Baring knows how to handle this play with thoughtful restrained symbolism and precise economy of movement.

Gabriel Partington’s Jerry in particular has a circular waltz-like quality which the audience enjoyed. Michaela Bedel’s portrayal of Emma was suitably poised and measured. The physical dynamic between the lovers Jerry and Emma was well choreographed and suited the intimate performance space. However it was the relationship between Jerry and the cuckolded Robert (played by Heath Ivey-Law) that truly shone.

Ivey-Law balanced his character adeptly between moments of self-preservation, cheeky sarcasm and at times potential danger. Hints of sexual power play between the two men were played off very conscientiously and successfully. You almost felt sorry for Emma being somewhat neglected in the real love affair between the men.

With a minimal set of a few choice pieces of furniture and props, the performance allowed the actors’ portrayal of their characters to take centre stage. No doubt this was a deliberate choice from director Rachel Baring in collaboration with Thursday’s Child Theatre.

The use of sound was also well-marked. Background music and ambience helped maintain the atmospheric tone for each scene and their various locations. One moment that stood out was when the sound abruptly stopped right before a scene involving physical confrontation. The contrasting silence in this moment compared to the rest of the play served as a poignant signpost of the dangers vulnerable people face in relationships.

While this play is set across seven years spanning backwards from 1977 to 1968, this time period seems irrelevant to the themes presented. The complications of infidelity and expectations placed on relationships seem universal sticking-points now as they ever were. Yet regardless of what time this particular story takes place, we understand with reverberating clarity the emotional complexity of love, partnership, loyalty and indeed betrayal.

Betrayal is showing at Chapel Off Chapel until the 25th of May and runs for 70 minutes with no interval. There is a content warning of some coarse language, adult themes and domestic violence however these depictions are not gratuitous. This play might be a bold choice for date night but it will definitely make the journey home full of conversation.

To book tickets to Betrayal, please visit https://chapeloffchapel.com.au/show/betrayal-by-harold-pinter/.

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