I Do, I Do, I Do

I Do, I Do, I Do

I Do, I Do, I Do Rating

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3

From the moment the curtain lifted at the Arts Theatre, the audience was in for a delightful ride. Therry Theatre’s production of I Do, I Do, I Do, directed by Sue Wylie, comes alive with great pace, sharp comic timing and infectious energy. The stage bursts open with wit, warmth and wonderfully controlled chaos, delivering a highly polished, laugh-a-minute theatrical performance that left the audience beaming from start to finish.

Based on Robin Hawdon’s delightfully tangled comedy of romance, mismatched expectations and wedding-day panic, this production leans fully into the farce while maintaining a grounded charm that makes every moment resonate. The result? A show that sparkles with energy, personality and honest heart.

At the centre of this whirlwind is seasoned performer Helen Geoffreys as Ann, the elegant mother-figure and linchpin of chaos and control. Her portrayal is beautifully layered—poised, witty, patient and exasperated—she holds the stage with effortless command. She deftly balances Ann’s dignified exterior with the growing mayhem of her family’s matrimonial misadventures, bringing genuine warmth to the humour to the character.

 

 

That said, this is far from a one-woman triumph. Paul Pacillo as Jamie, Laura Lines as Holly (stepping in two weeks before opening night – quite the achievement), Jess Corrie as the very conflicted Diana, Stephen Bills as Geoff and Tom Tassone as Tom were all uniformly strong, with each performer demonstrating a wonderfully consistent ‘posh’ high society accent, crisp delivery and fabulous comedic rhythm. The chemistry is seamless; the actors bounce off each other with precision, enhancing every misunderstanding. Nothing feels rushed, nothing drags, and each joke lands exactly where it should.

The production’s pacing is exceptional—bright, buoyant and confidently sustained. Physical comedy is used cleverly and sparingly, ensuring that character and intention always lead the humour. The comedic timing was on point making the laughed out loud moments genuine, whether through a misunderstanding, a revealing glance or the inevitable romantic entanglement. Complementing the action happening within, the living-room setting was both elegant and functional with the furnishings and space feeling warm and ‘lived-in’.

Above all, this production is simply fun capturing the spirit of Hawdon’s premise of “one bride, three grooms, and a tangled web of misunderstandings”. The experience felt celebratory and full of heart making Therry Theatre’s production of I Do I Do I Do a sparkling success—smartly directed, beautifully performed and overflowing with charm and comedic excellence. For anyone looking for a fun, laugh-out-loud, heart-warming theatre performance, this one comes highly recommended. A joyous, laugh-out-loud triumph.

To book tickets to I Do, I Do, I Do, please visit https://therry.org.au/.

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About The Production – Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!

Feature-Adrift in New York - A Melodrama!

Today, we shared a delightful conversation with Rose Vallen, the visionary director behind Adrift in New York, an endearing melodrama set to grace the Arts Theatre Adelaide. With its timeless narrative of family, resilience, and justice, this production is destined to be filled with vibrant performances, evocative tunes, and authentic 1890s charm. Join us to cheer, boo, and be utterly captivated as this classic story unfolds on stage!

About Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!

What is this Production about?

Adrift in New York is a classic late-19th-century melodrama that tells a story of lost family, moral tests, and redemption amid the perils of the big city. It includes Gay 1890’s music hall numbers and opportunities for the audience to Boo the villain, Cheer the hero and sigh for the Heroine.

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

The challenge for me and the actors is to balance sincerity and irony. To play the truth of the story without descending into parody. The performances must be emotionally honest, even when the situations are heightened. Keeping the lid on some of the Actors has been hilarious and challenging.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I love Melodrama, I have performed in several over the years and they are always so much fun for the actors as well as the audience.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

If you love big-hearted, old-fashioned storytelling — where good triumphs over evil, emotions run high, and every twist leads to a gasp or a tear, performed by vibrant and eclectic bunch of actors who incite you to join in the action, sing-along to old time music hall numbers and have a lot of fun, this show is for you.

What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

Hopefully the audience will be still humming the music and chatting about their favourite character – was it the Villain, the Hero or the Heroine?  But above all, they’ll leave with a sense of warmth — the pleasure of seeing virtue rewarded, love restored, and evil conquered by compassion.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

It swings from tears to thrills to moral redemption in minutes — a mix that feels both over-the-top and genuinely moving. The sheer earnestness of its melodrama can be startling (and even charming) to contemporary viewers used to irony.

Who has the best costume?

Definitely all of the ladies have fabulous costumes, think authentic 1890’s gorgeous frocks.  Thank you so much Sandy Whitelaw for lending us these fabulous outfits.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Melodrama Returns to the Stage: Adrift in New York Opens at Arts Theatre Adelaide. The Rep is proud to present Adrift in New York, a classic melodrama written by Addison Aulger, directed by the acclaimed Rose Vallen.

Synopsis
This heart-wrenching tale of fate, family, and resilience promises to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and fun theatrical flair. Set against the bustling backdrop of the Gay Nineties in New York and the deep south, Adrift in New York follows the journey of a young girl cast into the unforgiving streets, navigating hardship and hope in search of her lost family.

With villains to boo, heroes to cheer, and a story that tugs at the heartstrings, this production revives the golden age of melodrama with a fresh, local twist. And a good Melodrama often includes Music Hall-style acts to enhance the audience’s enjoyment and create a more exciting theatrical experience.

In this production, there will be well known songs and the amazing, hilarious spectacle of the famous Balloon Dance featuring the incomparable Lindy Le Cornu, who has made this artform her own!
Join us for an unforgettable night of fun, laughs, drama, emotion, and theatrical tradition. Adrift in New York is a must-see, feel-good production.

Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?

To book tickets to Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!, please visit https://adelaiderep.com/season-2025/adrift-in-new-york.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and passion with us. Best of luck with Adrift in New York; may the cheers be thunderous, the boos be hearty, and the audience leave with hearts full of joy and melodies in their heads!

Other production interviews can be viewed in our About The Production Series.

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Radium Girls

Radium Girls

Radium Girls Rating

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4

There’s something different about a theatre performance based on real stories. Radium Girls tells the story of the young girls and women who were unknowingly poisoning themselves at work every day. Being taken advantage of by the men of the company and the physicians they thought they could trust, we follow the story of Grace and her friends Irene and Kathryn as they fight for their voices to be heard and their dues paid. Do not worry if you don’t know much of the story; the script and cast will provide you with context and hold your hand through this fight for justice.

As we follow Grace’s story, we meet a smattering of interesting characters who brighten the stage. The cast list is smaller than the character list, so you can expect to see some faces on more than one character, but with speedy costume changes – paired with some impressively quick accent changes – you’re never confused as to who is who. If you find yourself needing a guide, the well-formatted program the company has on offer provides a helpful cast list.

And a rather professional cast, I feel is important to note. With opening night jitters of missed lighting cues, the cast didn’t allow it to deter them, delivering their lines as though nothing were amiss. Missed cues aside, the lighting was strong, showing an array of colours to aptly represent the mood for each scene. Showing off the simple yet powerful stage which, at first glance, shows little more than some stunningly coloured green windows and a giant analogue clock face. This versatile stage will transform from the US Radium Company’s factory, to Grace’s family dining room, to a courthouse, and more without missing a beat, and never leaving room for confusion.

 

 

It’s easy to find yourself immersed within the story, but every now and then a monologue will take you by surprise, leaving you wide-eyed. With moments carefully chosen to address the audience, don’t be surprised if you leave and find yourself unable to stop thinking of particularly emotional moments. Even with these crafted moments to make the audience think, the show itself is not hard to follow, and easy to feel a connection with every cast member on the stage (no matter which character they are portraying).

The only thing I wish had been utilised more was the glowing radium. I spotted some glowing aprons, but seeing some glowing shoe soles, watches on characters, or paintbrushes would’ve been a treat. Otherwise, everything else was perfectly orchestrated for every character’s individual personality, from their accents and body language to their tailored costumes. The stage was used to its potential, with little to no dead space in any scene, the costumes matched the era, the cast supported each other with excellent chemistry, it was engaging, and the sound effects didn’t overshadow the cast.

A thought-provoking show, the story of the radium girls will remain an important retelling, and Galleon Theatre Group has provided us with a wonderful rendition.

To book tickets to Radium Girls, please visit https://www.galleon.org.au/html/radiumGirls.html.

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Bushidō

Bushido

Bushido Rating

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TW: The movie represents violence, sexual references, blood and has other trigger warnings. This review will not.

Amid the blooming Sakura trees, a Samurai and his daughter are trying to make their way in the world. Cast out from their hometown, they live a poor but honest life. We see our Samurai, Kakunoshin Yanagida, teaching others to play Go, carving personalised signature stamps (hanko) and negotiating to extend the date for his already late rent. We are witnesses to his life changing its course when he intercedes on behalf of a pawn shop owner in conflict with another samurai. This pawn shop owner becomes an important player in the story as an avid Go player, and an unofficial student of Kakunoshin Yanagida, learning to be an honourable man.

The story of Kakunoshin Yanagida is a Japanese drama, set in the Edo period. The set designs are elegant, transformative, and perfectly suited for the era. The lighting has been carefully chosen for each scene, drawing the audience in with each slight shifting of mood. In a moment towards the end of the movie, we are treated to a backdrop of a breathtaking, glimmering sunset before the set morphs into a thoughtful, candlelit space. With shoji screens and doors assisting the lighting throughout, adding layers of complexity as well as being used by the characters to give the audience some insight into their inner thoughts, the space and lighting feel as though they have been created and used with care and consideration.

 

 

I will admit I am no expert on Japanese clothing, but I could tell the kimonos in Bushidō were each carefully considered for every scene. For example, if a character were feeling helpless, or as though misfortune were on their doorstep, we would see them wearing dark colours, as opposed to their previously brighter fabrics. The glimpse we get to see of women discussing their kimonos was with the utmost respect for the garment, and it was not expressively mentioned, but Kakunoshin Yanagida’s own outfits are clean and well cared for, as are his swords. Of which we only see unsheathed when it is absolutely necessary.

The camera work brings the story to life, with a variety of techniques to keep the story alive and thriving. With shaky vintage filters to represent memories, an impressive use of blurring during the scene, and some heart-wrenching still moments, the camera guides us through the story with ease. There was never a moment when I found myself feeling overwhelmed by what was on the screen, or wondering where I was supposed to be looking. My personal favourite was a sideways tracking shot, overflowing with top-quality choreography.

Kakunoshin Yanagida might be poor, but he is striving to live his life as honourably as he can, while playing Go fair and square. He is a man of great self-control, but of course what’s a movie without some conflict? When we are treated to the conflicting moments in the movie, Kakunoshin Yanagida transforms into another person, filling the screen with his presence and emotion. I won’t give away too much, but he becomes vengeance, fulfilling his destiny.

Bushidō is a tale of revenge, family, and honour. It is as intense as it is gentle, as brash as it is thoughtful, and as hateful as it is filled with love. The story is a slow burn, but once it has lit, be prepared for a rollercoaster of a journey.

To book tickets to Bushido, please visit https://japanesefilmfestival.net/film/bushido/.

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