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The Playboy of the Western World

12/06/202612/06/2026 Carmen Jenner🥉

The Playboy of the Western World Rating

★★★★★

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First performed in Dublin in 1907, The Playboy of the Western World was written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge, and so scandalous for its time, it was met with protests. Deemed a traditional Irish comedy, the three-act play translates well to modern society as a timeless masterpiece.

In a nutshell, the playboy, Christopher Mahon (Garrison Cox), shows up one night at Pegeen’s (Rebekah Hannah) tavern with a questionable past. He boasts about a grandiose story involving his father, Old Mahon (Ron Arthurs), which elevates him to hero status and gets all the ladies of the village in a flutter, including Widow Quin (Siobhan Vincent), Susan Brady (Kirsty Plews), Honor Blake (Piper Gibson), Nelly (Olivia Keary) and Sara Tansey (Isabella Di Giovanni). In fact, Christopher is such a hit with the ladies that it causes much angst among the men, especially Shawn Keogh (Ian Staunton), who has been promised to Pegeen.

Michael James Flaherty (Gavin Crane), Jimmy Farrell (Stuart Ridgway), Philomena Cullen (Dame Kerry Goode OAM) and Philly Cullen (Ben Vaughan-Sanders) are innocent by-standers, for the most part, who bemusedly watch it all play out from the sidelines.

Reigning from around the globe, mastering the Irish accent is a testament to the talented cast that I really enjoyed once I relaxed into its musicality and lyrical rhythm.

With all three acts performed in the tavern, with walls crafted from papier-mache, it’s a cosy setting, made all the more atmospheric by Perth’s chilly nights as the train rattles past and planes thunder above. A big thanks to the set design crew, including Jake Newby (also lighting design), Graeme Dick (also stage manager), Nera Camponovo and Paris Jenner.

Directed and performed by Siobhan Vincent, who did a brilliant job of bringing the story to life at the historic Garrick Theatre. Acknowledgement must go to her assistant, Marion West, who also handled props and set dressing, and to Sarah House for stepping in for Siobhan during rehearsals.

Isabella Melbin (assistant stage manager), Conor Barclay (lighting operator), Ricky Penrose (sound operator) all deserve a round of applause. Tamar Basini’s talent and attention to detail for the costumes took me on a journey to the early 1900s.

The Playboy of the Western World is a scintillating tale of seduction, betrayal and violence and as relevant now as it was in 1907.

Performed at the Garrick Theatre in Guildford, get your tickets here. Shows start at 7.30pm from 4th to 20th June, with matinee sessions at 2pm on Sunday 7th, 13 & 14th June.

To book tickets to The Playboy of the Western World, please visit https://www.TAZtix.com.au/garricktheatre/.

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A Chang-Chang, Changity, Chang, Shoo, Bop Musical Melody

19/04/2026 Carmen Jenner🥉

Musical Melody Rating

★★★★★

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For all those Hollywood buffs out there, you may struggle to restrain any uncontrollable toe tapping and humming during the Garrick Theatre’s latest production, the ‘Musical Melody’. Anyone would understand if you burst into song during ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair’ (South Pacific), ‘Le Jazz Hot’ (Victor/Victoria) or ‘We Go Together’ (Grease).

However, there would be plenty of complaints if anyone interrupted Katie Nowland’s operatic performance of ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’, in a spellbinding rendition of the Show Boat tune. Other highlights include energetic performances of ‘The Tapioca’ (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and ‘Carrying The Banner’ (Newsies).

It was wonderful to see some familiar faces return to the stage, including Carly Ranger and Lily Wakeling from the Garrick’s Sweeney Todd 2025 production, as well as Kody Fellows (Narnia). From ‘Cursed’ returned Steph Hickey, Erin Shay Horrigan, Ethan Dal Molin and Ben Vaughan-Sanders (who will also be performing in the upcoming ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ production).

To debut on the Garrick’s seasoned stage are Kyla Retirado and Priom Bhattacharjee in their first forays into community theatre, alongside Fringe Festival regular James Carduff.

Who can forget to mention host Ian Staunton’s British banter in between acts? No doubt I’m not the only one who hopes to see him return to the Garrick’s well-trodden stage, in a blaze of theatrical glory.

Musical director Juliette Basini and director Tamar Basini also joined the cast with song and dance performances. Under their direction and choreography, the mother-daughter duo brought their love of Hollywood classics to the stage with ‘Kiss Me, Kate’, ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘The Pajama Game’, ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘The Boy Friend’.

Community theatre would never have the opportunity to sparkle without the creativity of those working behind the scenes. So, let’s shine some light on Astro Stewart (Stage Manager), Nera Camponovo (Production Liaison), Mark Nicholson (Lighting), Joe Hoedemaker (Lighting), Declan O’Brien (Sound), Paris Romano Jenner (Props & Photography), Kieran Smith (Photography), Roisin O’Neill (Choreography), Katie Nowland (Vocal warmups), Tamar Basini (Costumes) and Juliette Basini (Photography and Graphic Design). A special mention goes to theatre President Ali McNamara’s help with direction, and Yvonne Star and her front-of-house team.

The Musical Melody takes you on a chang-chang, changity, chang, shoo, bop journey through the ages. With only four shows, it’s no wonder it’s already sold out, featuring an incredibly talented cast whose delightful routines left the audience grinning from ear to ear.

Established in 1932, the Garrick Theatre is Perth’s longest-running community theatre group. Annual memberships are available, and if you’re a cherished member, then you would already know that next on the agenda is The Playboy of the Western World, with performances starting on 4th June 2026.

To book tickets to Musical Melody, please visit https://www.taztix.com.au/event/garricktheatre/.

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How To Stay Married Without Exploding!

28/01/2026 Carmen Jenner🥉

How To Stay Married Without Exploding! Rating

★★★★★

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Do you remember that trapped feeling we had while in lockdown during the pandemic? Well, imagine being confined not only to your house, but to less than a square metre in your living room for 10 years. This unlucky predicament is exactly what Francis Molloy found himself in when forced to stand with both feet on top of an unexploded landmine in his living room.

Set in Berlin in 1955, Francis turns this strange turn of events into content by creating the reality TV show “How to Stay Married Without Exploding!” It’s the 400th episode, and it’s auspicious because his wife, Annette, plans to make her debut during this episode. Given the circumstances, you would think that marriage would be the least of Francis’ concerns.

This one-man production raises so many questions. Some answers are organically revealed, and others, the audience asks while acting as the TV audience. It’s the kind of show requiring a certain degree of suspended disbelief, and I challenge you to ask a question that Francis doesn’t have an answer to.

Played by the American-born theatre-maker Matthew J. Young, with further development, this has the makings of being transformed into a podcast or YouTube channel.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in any facet of life or relationship, you’ll relate. Performed at three historic venues, including Julio’s Italian Restaurant, the character-filled settings are the perfect backdrop to this nostalgic performance. It’s only fitting to order a martini as you cheer Francis along on his dark journey of self-discovery.

“How to stay married without exploding!” Plays from Friday 23rd January to Friday 13th February at Julio’s Italian, Midland Junction Arts Centre and Mahogany Inn and Distillery.

To book tickets to How To Stay Married Without Exploding!, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/how-to-stay-married-without-exploding-fw2026.

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Moments in Motion

21/09/2025 Carmen Jenner🥉

Moments in Motion Rating

★★★★★

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Exploring the themes of love, loss, mental health and jealousy, the Roxy Lane Theatre One Acts presents ‘Moments in Motion’ across three one-act plays, ‘The Birthday’, ‘Mandy’ and ‘Flushed’. With such a broad spectrum of topics, this is one of those productions that resonates, compelling the audience to look within and draw on their own lived experiences.

In a world premiere and directed by Tim Riessen, ‘The Birthday’ kicks off the night and revolves around Mrs Little’s (Pauline Atkinson) 89th birthday. Despite the cake rustled up by a nurse (Nita Teoh), there’s little cause for celebration as Mrs Little is in a coma. As her adult children gather around her, they reminisce about their childhood, along with much speculation about whether their mum can hear them. For anyone who has sat beside a loved one in their final moments, ‘The Birthday’ hits a nerve as this touching scenario brings writer Peter Flanigan’s vision to life as Robyn (Michele Diston), Gail (Julia Webster), Phil (Ian Fraser) and Lesley (Kezia George) each share their truth.

Also written by Peter Flanigan, ‘Mandy’ explores the mental state of Mandy (Melissa Cruickshank) within the family dynamic. As Mandy comes to grips with her depression, her confused state of mind flows in ebbs and tides, throwing the family into despair. The chaos is further exasperated by her overbearing mum (Josphine Wayling) and husband (Paul Cook, who also plays her father) and misguided friend Fran (Joanne Low), with tumultuous flashbacks from Mandy’s sister (Emily Plange Korndorffer) and grandmother (Jenni Glassford). Mandy’s daughter Jodi (Tahlia Verna) seems to be the only empathetic one. Directed by Luke Heath with assistant director Rob Herfkens, ‘Mandy’ tackles the heavy issues and should come with a trigger warning for anyone dealing with mental health issues.

On a much lighter note, the final play, ‘Flushed’, invites the audience into the trials and tribulations of the dating scene. Set in the toilets during a single’s night, three women explore their jealousies and dating woes as the night dissolves into despair. Written by Ron Nicol, and directed by Sandhya Krishnan, who also plays Tara and is the cause of Meg’s (Catherine Jane) rivalry, with Jan’s (Jackie Oats) wry observations bringing humorous relief to the tension. If you’ve ever been on a girls’ night out, you’ll relate to this one.

The production crew worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring these stories to life, including Katherine Robertson (sound and lighting design), Rob Herfkens (stage manager) and Cade Smith (assistant stage manager, who also had a cameo in ‘Mandy’).

A special mention must go to set builder Jim Chantry, who managed to create three entirely different stage sets seamlessly, along with Jim Chantry, Kirsten Halford-Bailey (who also handled the set dressing and props) and Chris Harris.

Moments in Motion runs from 18th – 21st September 2025 at the Roxy Lane Theatre, 55 Ninth Ave (cnr Roxy Lane), Maylands

To book tickets to Moments in Motion, please visit https://www.taztix.com.au/event/roxylanetheatre/.

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