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My Brilliant Career

My Brilliant Career

My Brilliant Career Rating

★★★★★

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‘My Brilliant Career’ is now playing at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, and it is a must-see for all. It’s always a treat to have original cast members come back to a production, and the passion for this story is overwhelmingly clear from this incredible ensemble cast.

From the moment you walk into the theatre, you’re met with upbeat live music from the cast on a simple yet stunning stage set-up. I love a simple set, and this set up made the stage look like a vast expanse of country with a beautiful piano raised in the centre, surrounded by what we would quickly discover to be some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen. I lost count of how many instruments each cast member played throughout the two and a half hour run, and I was at awe every time a different guitar was picked up or instruments came together to not only support the vocal talent, but be ambient sounds of being out on a boat in the middle of nowhere. The obvious musical talent from the entire cast cannot be understated. Dancing while playing an instrument is difficult enough, high kicks while playing a cello that is strapped to your body is honestly insane and I am going to be thinking about that for a long time.

 

My Brilliant Career
My Brilliant Career
My Brilliant Career

 

Sybylla Melvyn is the kind of character that you can’t help but root for, and the pure energy and authenticity brought to her by Kala Gare also made her impossible not to love. Her embodiment and growth throughout the show as Sybylla aged was perfection. From the first song, with punk rock attitude and mannerisms, I knew we were in for a treat. Having been a 15-year-old girl not too long ago, it was the perfect display of the amount of ‘hate’ a 15-year-old can muster at the world. Gare is an absolute powerhouse. Her tenacity and playfulness were so engaging, and my goodness she did not stop the entire time and there was not one hint of exhaustion or vocal deterioration. I cannot applaud her enough, that is indeed, one brilliant performer.

The simplicity of sets and costumes rounded out the explosiveness of the arcs in ‘My Brilliant Career’. It easily could have played out as just another story we’ve heard many times about a young woman in the 1800’s who had to follow a pre-determined path rather than having the opportunity to do whatever she wanted in life. However, the wholistic approach and balance of big songs and simple effects was excellent. Single spotlights and a slow violin drew everyone in and a simple joke or facial expression diffused any notions of this being a show about romance. Every step of the way felt exactly like the journey of finding yourself for yourself, and not giving in to what everyone else is telling you to do and to be.

‘My Brilliant Career’ is a must-see for musical lovers, dreamers, and anyone looking to have some fun. Get yourself a ticket to go and sit amongst your “Fellow Australians” and enjoy a night at the theatre. Head over to the Merrigong Theatre Company website and don’t miss the powerhouse that is this incredible cast and show.

To book tickets to My Brilliant Career, please visit https://merrigong.com.au/shows/my-brilliant-career/.

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Arawarra

Arawarra

Arawarra Rating

★★★★★

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The opening night of ‘Arawarra’ at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre saw a sold-out theatre and a standing ovation for the brilliant work and performance of Jake Māra.

‘Arawarra’ tells the story of a First Nations leader and hero of the South Coast, at the time of colonisation. This is the legacy left behind from a prominent figure who was erased from the history books, and it is a story that everyone should be told, especially if you’re from the Illawarra and South Coast.

It’s not often that one person can command a room for an hour with two props and stagnant set of a table and chairs, some boxes and a teacup, but Jake Māra did exactly that. He had the entire audience enthralled in his performance. It was captivating like nothing else. Māra’s storytelling was simple and beautiful, filled with soul and just outstanding. He embodied each character with such grace and ease that it was easy to forget that he was the only one on stage. The story itself was woven through the voice of his uncle, Arawarra himself, and his ancestors. Whether he was sat at the kitchen table, or commentating and dissecting moments from history, it felt just like a friend sitting down and talking about their life. It was warm and inviting and had the audience laughing and sympathising throughout. I have found it to be quite rare to have a gift like that, scripted or not. I simply cannot praise this performance and this story enough.

 

Arawarra
Arawarra
Arawarra

 

Technically it was stunning. The use of lighting and occasional images across the cyc (the white curtain at the back of the stage) at pivotal moments was just perfect. Red lighting flashes in time with swift acts of violence, the black and white image of the sacred mountain, displaying the handwritten words of Alexander Berry, all of it was simple and yet, so incredibly effective. It’s easy to be lost in amongst sound and lighting, particularly when it is just one person, but the creative team found the exact balance to do this so well.

I really enjoyed the mix of native language and English that was so seamlessly used throughout the performance. Even if you did not know the language, you could still understand what was happening within the story. The emotion and the characterisation took you through each moment the same way it does watching an opera in a foreign tongue.

This is not a show you should miss. Thankyou to Lincoln Smith and Jake Māra for bringing this story onto the stage and sharing this piece of history and culture with us. You should be incredibly proud of what you have created.

Arawarra has now sold out, but keep any eye out for any repeat performances in your area.

Photographer: Tracey Leigh Images

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The Comedy of Errors

Comedy of Errors

Comedy of Errors Rating

★★★★★

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Merrrigong Theatre Company’s Theatre Under the Stars presenting Sport for Jove’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ opening night was a smash hit.

Outdoor theatre is always a good idea, and this performance showed exactly why. The staging, the technical elements, the beautiful lighting and abundance of excitement from the crowd (despite the high temperatures) created the most perfect atmosphere for an unconventional night at the theatre. Paper fans were provided by the staff to keep everyone cool and in high spirits until the sun set, which was a lovely and considerate touch. I’d recommend some sunscreen if you burn easily, as the seating area is uncovered, but the sunset is the perfect background as the plot begins to pick up and the lighting comes alive.

There was a lot to love about this show. As one of Shakespeare’s earliest and most fast-paced plays, ‘The Comedy of Errors’ is often not what first comes to mind when Shakespeare is brought up. This modern interpretation is the perfect blend of traditional and current humour and faux pas. It’s very easy to do Shakespeare badly, and incorporate too much or too little modernity, but Sport for Jove’s found that perfect balance that left the audience captivated and enjoying every minute.

The stunning voice of Naomi Belet has to be talked about. Her performance, whilst not a lead character, was an absolute standout. Her presence was abundant and whether she was in the background or centre stage, she was something to watch. She deserves all the applause, accolades and opportunities in her career.

 

Comedy of Errors
Comedy of Errors

 

The cast as a whole, were energetic and switched on, which makes any performance, but especially a comedy, just so much fun. Whether it was physical comedy or Shakesperean humour, or modern humour, it was just genuinely funny and not forced. It’s so easy to push the audience away with a comedy, and exasperate them with miscommunications and over-done jokes, but this was just perfect. You didn’t want to look away in case you missed anything as there were subtleties from supporting characters as well as the main action. They pushed through minor technical issues that made little impact as they could be heard from the back without their microphones on the odd occasion.

For those who describe themselves as “not Shakespeare” people, but enjoy a fun night out and a laugh, I would highly recommend this play. This is such peak Shakespeare in the way that you don’t need to understand every word to be able to follow along and enjoy the performance. It is such an accessible presentation that I urge everyone to buy a ticket and come alone. It is the least intimidating Shakespearean adaptation I’ve seen (and I have seen a lot of Shakespeare in my time) and it just opens up this little slice of history for anyone and everyone.

In all honesty, I think this may be one of, if not, the best, performance I have had the pleasure to review. I cannot recommend this enough to everyone. It would be a shame to miss this, so make sure you grab a ticket, bring a picnic, check the weather and plan accordingly, and have an amazing night out! ‘The Comedy of Errors’ runs until the 22nd of February at the University of Wollongong’s Koolobong Oval.

To book tickets to Comedy of Errors, please visit https://www.sportforjove.com.au/the-comedy-of-errors-2025.

Photographer: Grant Leslie

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Garabari

Garabari

Garabari Rating

★★★★★

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‘Garabari’ opened at the Wollongong Town Hall for a limited run, with just two shows in Wollongong this weekend, and two shows at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on Saturday February 14th.

The performance was unlike anything I’ve seen. From the moment you walk up the street to the Town Hall, you are part of the experience. On the footpath out the front, a smoking ceremony was being held prior to the commencement of the show. Passersby without tickets were stopped to watch and enjoy the culture that was on display. It felt equally intimate and yet also incredibly inclusive to any and all people who were around.

Before entering the performance space, the choreographer and Wiradjuri artist Joel Bray shared the story of the creation of the Murrumbidgee river and how ‘Garabari’ was a reflection of that dreaming story. He also told us that this was going to be an interactive experience where the audience was to be encouraged to move around and see different aspects of the performance, and to not be afraid to get up and dance alongside the artists.

Walking into the space, it felt almost entirely brand new, despite having been in that same hall a hundred times before. The technical elements and the use of sound and lighting, with shadows and screens was exceptional. It felt like walking into an art gallery whilst also getting a taste of our very own Night at the Museum where the history comes to life and tells us their stories.

The dancing was captivating. Technique and culture came together to bring people into the story itself. (I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes, or ones you can kick off to allow yourself to move and breathe in the art.) The dancers were simply outstanding. You could tell they were enjoying themselves. Interacting with the audience, with each other, and with the space. It was so obvious that this was a labour of love, and those are always the most enriching to watch. To all the dancers, and creatives who are involved in this, thank you, and congratulations. You should all be incredibly proud of the work you have done and what you have created for so many to be able to experience and be a part of.

 

Garabari
Garabari
Garabari

 

To put it simply, this was a lot of fun. It’s not all the time you get to dance around the space with perfect strangers who were enjoying themselves in exactly the same way. It was inviting and brought together a wide variety of people from all walks of life, Indigenous, non-indigenous, it didn’t matter. In that space, it was just a group of people who loved art and dance, telling and listening to stories.

Normally, I’d use ‘show’ and ‘performance’ interchangeably, but with this experience, it felt less like a performance and more like a group of people showing us the ins and outs of their culture and stories, which is just phenomenal and incredibly gracious.

If you haven’t already gotten tickets to the remaining performances, I would highly recommend this experience. If traditional theatre is not really your thing, go and experience ‘Garabari’. Walk in with an open mind and be receptive to anything and you will not be disappointed.

Get yourself tickets at the Merrigong Theatre Company website and put on your dancing shoes for a beautiful celebration of culture and connection.

To book tickets to Garabari, please visit https://merrigong.com.au/shows/garabari/.

Photographer: Stephen Wilson Barker and Jeff Busby

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