Show Reviews

Flick’s “SLUTNIK 2: Planet of the Incels” was a dazzling space age adventure.  It is the extravagant and anticipated continuation of the SLUTNIK™ franchise, following the success of its fabulous predecessor, SLUTNIK™ 1. The enthusiastic opening night audience for SLUTNIK™ 2, comprised of numerous fans of the first installment, is a testament to its popularity and widespread appeal. For those unfamiliar with the backstory, SLUTNIK™ 1 chronicles the journey of a renowned group of lesbian space cannibals, accompanied by their trusty robot MOTHERBOARD, who departed Earth a century ago in search of liberation from patriarchal oppression. The plot centres on…

In 24 Carrot Productions’ outstanding and profound “Grave Issues,” we are immersed in deep examination of a life’s worth.  The audience enters the Bluestone Church Arts Space in Footscray to find themselves at a funeral for an unnamed woman. Upon sitting, we learn that a “procedure” will be performed, where an empirical determination of a person’s inner workings will be revealed.  The play opened on “Senior” and “Junior” (Kate Ball and Karli Riesen, respectively) performing a sort of autopsy of personal qualities in front of an audience of funerary mourners. The findings were such that “Colleague,” “Friend,” and “Lover” were…

The Italian Film Festival is in its 23rd year after its founding at the turn of the millennium in 2000.  Since then, the festival has grown in popularity to become the most significant public celebration of Italian cinema outside Italy. A feature of this year’s festival is a special presentation of New Italian Cinema’s – Burning Hearts – which takes place in the picturesque region of Puglia. This gripping crime tale reignited an age-old feud between two rival families as a forbidden love story unfolds. Burning Hearts is directed by Pippo Mezzapesa and was the Best Cinematography winner at the…

Red Stitch’s production of Monument, penned by Emily Sheehan and directed by Ella Caldwell, is a masterful work that intricately balances humour and poignancy.  It’s hard to find any fault in this production, especially in Sheehan’s writing; as soon as the show ended, I was lining up at the box office to purchase a copy of this hilarious yet profound script. The story of Monument takes place in real time over ninety minutes. It focuses on the dynamic relationship between two very different women: Edith Aldridge, the youngest woman ever to be elected leader of her country, and Rosie, a…

A Singular Crime / Un Crimen Argentino is a 2022 thriller based on the 2002 Reynaldo Sietecasebook of the same name. It’s inspired by a true story occurring in 1980 Rosario, Argentina during the “Dirty War” military dictatorship. The book was a best seller, and now the film leaves audiences just as intrigued as they try to solve the crime alongside the protagonists. It is airing at the 2023 Spanish Film Festival and is a must-watch for any who love a mystery. Unlike the book, A Singular Crime primarily follows around two court clerks, Antonio González Rivas (Nicolás Francella) and Carlos Torres (Matías Mayer), alongside the judge’s secretary, Maria Bussato (Malena Sanchez), as…

The Spanish Film Festival is back this June and July and celebrating it’s 25th year! Presented by Palace, the film festival is accessible online, or in person, in major cities Adelaide, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. There are plentiful films to choose from with helpful category groupings such as ‘New Spanish Cinema’, ‘Spotlight on Argentina’, ‘Focus on Female Filmmakers’ and more. I had the pleasure of viewing ‘Cork’ (‘Suro’), a Drama/Thriller feature film debut from Director Mikel Gurrea, that is creating a lot of excitement in its New Spanish Cinema category. It has already won a slew…

The Spanish Film Festival returns and is celebrating its 25th year! This time, the festival will be heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Byron Bay, bringing with it a selection of films from across Spanish-speaking cultures. With subdivisions of New Spanish Cinema and Cine Latino and a range of genres available, there will be something for everyone in the festival program this year. The preview film for the 2023 Spanish Film Festival was Alberto Rodriguez’s Prison 77 (In Spanish, Modelo 77). Prison 77 is a prison drama film set in the late 70s that follows the fictional…

This iconic cult classic musical is a whirlwind of wild energy from the “Science Fiction” opening strains to the show-stopping finale of “Time Warp”. It promotes self-expression and encourages people to show up, drop their inhibitions, let loose, and have fun. The show opened in Melbourne’s Atheneum Theatre on Wednesday 24th of May to a jump-out-of-your-seat audience, in anticipation of a great night at the theatre. Originally, like the Little Shop of Horrors, this horror-comedy musical was released to negative reviews. It required an unconventional audience and midnight movie screenings to be appreciated for its campy humour, outrageous characters, and catchy music.…

Step into a world of glitz, glamour, and captivating performances as Cabaret De Paris takes you on an extraordinary journey showcasing a dazzling display of talent, energy, and pure entertainment. Get ready for an unforgettable experience in a world of vibrant colours, sophistication and alluring acts paying tribute to cabarets in France. Under the expert direction of producer and performer Michael Boyd, Cabaret De Paris delivers a captivating experience that combines the allure of Parisian showgirl charm with jaw-dropping illusions and remarkable artistry. This production showcases the finest performers, each bringing their unique skills to create a night of pure…

Driftwood The Musical takes us on an emotive and profound journey of 6 characters, immersed in the shadows of the Holocaust. Inspired by Eva de Jong-Duldig’s memoir “Driftwood – Escape and Survival through Art,” this theatre production by Tania de Jong AM weaves a captivating narrative centred around the extraordinary life of her grandmother, Slawa Horowitz-Duldig. It is a story of unwavering resilience, love, and determination, as displaced families float away like driftwood, from one country to another, fighting against the relentless challenges to stay together. Slawa, (Tania de Jong AM) a talented artist lives with her husband, a sculptor…

A visit to Malvern Theatre is surprisingly exquisite as I arrive to watch their latest in the 2023 season lineup, Deathtrap. The venue is well appointed, the theatre itself is just adorable, very accessible, and offers a comfortable evening out. The volunteer staff are approachable and attentive. As I find my seat I realize there is simply no bad view within the theatre of the stage. Nestled in my spot I notice many framed season brochures and photographs adorning the walls and made notes to explore these during intermission. The theatre’s history is on proud display and very inviting. I…

For those attending the Melbourne Comedy Festival, you have a few more days to see the exciting and enjoyable ‘The Improvised Superhero Movie’ presented by The Improv Pit at the UBQ Basement Blackbox Theatre. This delightful 60 minute show is unique to every performance since it is Improv comedy. For those who are unfamiliar with the live entertainment form of Improv Comedy, each show is made up completely on the spot, unscripted, by an ensemble of improvisers. Styles of Improv can be theatrical or competitive in content, and are inspired by audience suggestions. Due to the spontaneous nature of Improv,…