Perth

Ireland The Voyage

Ireland The Voyage

Ireland The Voyage Rating

★★★★★

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From the producers of Celtic Illusion, comes a powerful new theatrical experience in Ireland: The Voyage, an epic celebration of Ireland’s history, heart, and heritage brought to life through authentic voices, live music, and world-class Irish dance. Emotional, exhilarating, and deeply immersive, Ireland: The Voyage invites audiences to feel the pulse of a nation – it’s triumphs, its tragedies, its music, and its unbreakable spirit, in a live experience you will never forget!

I was fortunate to be able to delve into this world of all things Ireland currently touring around our country.

Firstly, in my years in dancing (over five decades) I’ve only ever seen Irish dancing twice in my life before (shameful I know!). Once at a high school talent show, and once when I organised a display floorshow at one of our dance fundraisers (everyone commented afterwards how good it was).

This style of dance has sustained as entertainment for decades in theatres around the world, on cruise ships, feature festivals and more. And certainly now I can fully understand why. Whether or not you are Irish, love Irish dancing or music, or just enjoy any stage performances generally; Irish vibes are contagious and captivating!

This show however is much more than just an Irish jig to a whistling tune; it is a real journey of shared stories, history and spirit.

 

Ireland The Voyage
Ireland The Voyage
Ireland The Voyage

 

We learn in detail from our host Giselle about the interesting Irish instruments being played in the traditional Irish band, which remains in full view throughout the show on stage. Each band member is also introduced by name with a little of their Irish background and musical accomplishments. They are all simply brilliant musicians and together bring this show wholly to life.

Irish songs sung both in English and traditional language by Giselle O’Meara are truly unforgettable. Her superior voice carries off each and every note like a fine instrument you could easily listen to for hours. Not loud and showy, but gentle and sweet; welcoming and inviting us to just enjoy!

I closed my eyes a number of times purposefully to listen and take it all in. Not only am I learning along the way about Ireland, a place I loved visiting 25 years ago, I am growing a great appreciation for this music and sound.

Shining stars are evident in the Irish dance champions – a trio mesmerize us with unbroken unison of speed and grace, extraordinary flexibility and control in traditional Gaelic; skillful solo features of rapidly increasing intricate footwork are an honour to witness, and later in the show we will clap along to particular beats in joyful harmony encouraged.

This beautiful show was such a lovely relaxing night out, and my Mum who came with me went home to try and find the great Irish love song ‘Grace’ to add to her playlist.

Thank you so much to the cast, musicians and team at Base Entertainment for this chance to broaden my knowledge of Ireland whilst at the same time tapping my foot along to some incredible music and songs from this voyage on stage transporting us all in the lucky audience to the Emerald Isle afar.

Ticket link: https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/

INSTAGRAM: @ireland_thevoyage

Tour includes cities and towns all over Australia and New Zealand.

Cast:
Giselle O’Meara (Champion Irish dancer and former lead vocalist for Michael Flatley’s global phenomenon Lord of the Dance Arena Tour)
Sara O’Hara (World Top 20 Irish Dancing Championship)
Liam Mcweeny (former quadruple Australian National Champion Irish Dancer)
Corey White (runner-up Australian International Oireachtas)

Musicians:
Tim Gleeson (guitar and Irish drum, the bodhrán)
Cormac O’Hanlon (concertina)
Ciara McGoldrick (low and high pitch whistles)
Muireann O’Dwyer (harp)

To book tickets to Ireland The Voyage, please visit https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/australia.

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Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes

Meow Meow's The Red Shoes

Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes Rating

★★★★★

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If you haven’t heard of Meow Meow yet, you are missing out. Internationally acclaimed and fiercely celebrated, she has performed everywhere from New York’s Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s immediately clear why she is so respected — there is truly nothing quite like her. She is indescribable in all the best ways and what an honour to see her at Perth’s International Arts Festival.

Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes begins in typical Meow fashion: she is dragged onto the stage like a lifeless prop, a theatrical object rather than a person. The audience collectively seems to wonder, What on earth is going on? Three pianos swirl across the stage and, moments later, she is balancing precariously on top of them. It feels dangerous, absurd and exhilarating all at once.

From there, we descend into the madness of Meow Meow’s mind — loosely tied to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes, yet never confined by it. She crosses every theatrical boundary imaginable. Whether she’s climbing a pile of rubbish, launching herself into the audience, or belting out a song with her astonishing voice, you are never allowed to settle. You are jolted awake.

Her talents are abundant. Not only is she a magnetic showgirl, but her writing is razor-sharp, intelligent. The show is a little bit funny, a little bit tragic, a little bit political — and wholly captivating. Her ad-libbing and audience interaction are astonishingly quick. It’s perhaps no surprise when you learn that Melissa Madden Gray — the woman behind Meow Meow — is a law graduate with first-class honours, holds a BA in Fine Art and German, and trained at WAAPA in musical theatre. The intellect behind the chaos is undeniable.

 

Meow Meow's The Red Shoes
Meow Meow's The Red Shoes
Meow Meow's The Red Shoes

 

Directed by Black Swan Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Kate Champion, the production feels like a perfect union. Champion’s background in dance beautifully complements Meow’s physicality and unpredictability. There is something powerful about seeing two women of this calibre collaborate so seamlessly — especially here in little old Perth. It feels special.

Projected across the stage in Danish are the words “ei blot til lyst” — not just for pleasure. This phrase becomes the beating heart of the show. Theatre, at its core, was never meant to be mere entertainment. It should challenge us, provoke us, educate us and unsettle us. While Meow Meow undeniably entertains, she refuses to stop there. The performance is a chaotic, sometimes overwhelming “brain dump” that moves at a million miles an hour — occasionally losing parts of the audience — but leaving everyone with something to sit with.

It feels like stepping back in time to what theatre used to be about: bold ideas, emotional risk, political undercurrents and catharsis. Meow herself describes it as a cathartic experience, and she’s right — not only for her, but for us.

At one point, I notice a young man sitting alone in front of me. He looks like a twenty-something backpacker — shorts, thongs, unassuming. Yet he knows every word. By the final song he is openly sobbing. And I must admit, I was moved too.
There are rare shows that can do this to an audience. This is one of them.

Meow Meow is a force — a little Tim Minchin, a little Eliza Minelli, crossed with your most chaotic, witty, tragic and deeply endearing friend.
She is simplistic yet impossibly complex. A complete mishmash of her mind — and perhaps of our own.

In an increasingly shallow and AI-saturated world, Red Shoes feels urgent. It reminds us that theatre is not just for pleasure.

It is what the world needs right now!

To book tickets to Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes, please visit https://blackswantheatre.com.au/season-2026/meow-meows-the-red-shoes.

Photographer: Brett Boardman

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Casey Filips: Virtuoso

Casey Filips: Virtuoso

Casey Filips: Virtuoso Rating

★★★★★

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My favourite part of Fringe each year, is walking into a show blind. Purely based off reviews from friends, a cool poster, the fringe feed, anything – I love not at all knowing what to expect, and being totally surprised. Casey Filips: Virtuoso is the perfect example of this.

A one man play of sorts, we follow the eccentric Tobias Frazier-Finlay through the audition of a life-time. Now, I want you to picture every exuberant, quirky, dramatic character you know combined into one, and that’s the kind of guy we’ve got. Mr. G, Sharpay Evans, even a little Miranda Sings it’s all in there.

The black-box rehearsal room at the State Theatre centre sets the scene perfectly, with Tobias strutting in from the back of the room as if really entering an audition. As with any standard casting call, he opens with a bit about himself, and of course his headshots, giving us a quick taste of his skillset (of which there are many!).

 

Casey Filips: Virtuoso
Casey Filips: Virtuoso

 

We then jump into a scene read, where he of course displays his natural ability to take notes from the panel (or in this case audience!). Naturally, hysteria ensues. I was amazed by Filips’ ability to not only perfectly mimic audience members but seamlessly taking on their daring requests.

For his final display of talent, we are treated to a – rather interesting – self-devised piece inspired by the majestic life of a manatee that left audiences doubled over with laughter. A big shout out must of course go to the gentlemen called upon to form part of the demonstration, the true star of the show (much to Tobias’ dismay).

Audiences also enjoy brief glimpse into Tobias’ future and where his career lands, a perfect crescendo for a man whose clearly given his life to the arts, but I’ll keep the exact details a secret for audiences to enjoy.

If you ever remember being told by your drama teacher “you have to fully commit to the bit, doing it 50% makes you look more ridiculous” this performance is a fine example. Offering a barrel of laughs and complete and utter tom-foolery in the best way possible from begin to end, this is a fringe favourite certainly not to be missed. Perfectly titled, Filips’ in fact, a Virtuoso.

To book tickets to Casey Filips: Virtuoso, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/casey-filips-virtuoso-fw2026.

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Campfire @ Fringe World Perth

Campfire

Campfire Rating

★★★★★

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Campfire is a hilarious jump-scare comedy currently showing at Fringe World Perth. With a rich mix of physical theatre, clowning, acrobatics and floor work, it’s wildly entertaining. This show will delight every member of the family, so pack your bug spray, and let’s head deep into the bush for some hilarious and playful camping chaos.

The premise is simple and instantly relatable. Best mates Louis and Griffin head out on a camping trip, armed with enthusiasm but very little practical skill. They fumble through the basics, but they’re just so excited to be spending time together that doesn’t really matter. After a series of missteps – including a highly relatable moment involving a camping tent that made my day, and a rather awkward moment running out of water – they settle in for the night, toasting marshmallows by the fire. As darkness falls, the tone subtly shifts. A curious, lonely, animalistic bush spirit begins to follow their every move. What starts as intrigue soon becomes a fight for survival, as from sunrise to sunset the friends stumble through the wilderness, their survival skills, masculinity and friendship tested at every turn as the spirit causes escalating high jinks.

 

Campfire
Campfire
Campfire

 

Created by Melbourne/Naarm collective Split Focus, Campfire is a confident showcase of multidisciplinary performance. The storytelling is driven almost entirely through the body, with dynamic acrobatics, aerial work, tumbling, floor work and clowning woven seamlessly into the narrative. The physical skill on display is impressive, with very movement serving the story.

The music and sound design build cinematic tension, while the clever use of lighting and shadow kept the audience on its toes as they are guided through moments of joy, fear and tenderness. I really enjoyed how the performance used clowning to move the audience through this story of hilarious emotional ups and downs. Performed in the close quarters of the Gold Digger tent, the audience is close enough to the action to feel every near-miss, every moment of trust, and every comic pause. There was raucous laughter, punctuated by audible gasps and soft “awws” during the more tender moments.

At its core, Campfire is a playful and generous exploration of friendship, vulnerability and connection, and, importantly, how to perfectly toast a marshmallow. This show is very well executed storytelling. It’s funny, impressively physical, and a joyful Fringe experience. By far one of the best shows I’ve seen at Fringe, pack your bug spray and join this trio into the bush.

To book tickets to Campfire, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/campfire-fw2026.

Photographer: Ven Tithing

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