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Old Fitz Theatre Presents: Pride and Prejudice (An Adaption)

19 January 2025 From The Front Row

Pride and Prejudice Rating

★★★★★

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Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most eligible sister of them all?

In an uproarious reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this bold and comedic staging brings the iconic family drama to life in a setting as unexpected as it is delightful—the last surviving pub theatre in Australia. The play, set against the backdrop of a family teetering on the brink of financial ruin, centres on the age-old dilemma of marrying off daughters to wealthy suitors. Yet, in a fresh and dynamic twist, every character—rather than just the heroine, Elizabeth—takes centre stage in their own right.

This production’s brilliance lies in its ensemble cast, which delivers such an impeccable balance of humour and nuance that it’s nearly impossible to pick a standout performer. Each actor shines, feeding off the energy of the others in a masterful display of comedy and wit.

Special mention must go to AJ Evans, who plays the frenzied matriarch, Mrs. Bennet. His portrayal is a riotous blend of manic energy and unfiltered desperation, offering some of the evening’s most laugh-out-loud moments. Evans’ comedic timing, coupled with his ability to morph into a character consumed by a single-minded obsession with securing the daughters’ futures, steals the show.

The play’s minimalistic set allows the actors to shine, while clever costume changes and seamlessly executed scene transitions keep the action flowing without missing a beat. You can’t stop laughing and smiling through the performance as it takes you through formal dances, garden appreciation walks and many formal scenes with a reverie of a “bogan” country bumpkin family attempting to snare the big kahuna.

While the dreamy Mr. Darcy remains a figure of quiet earnestness, his stoic presence is overshadowed by the relentless charm of the surrounding characters. The play cleverly balances these serious moments with a playful irreverence that breathes new life into the familiar story. Even the stiffest of characters find their moments of absurdity in this delightful reimagining.

In the end, it’s happily ever after for everyone, bars Mary, the ugly duckling of the family, and it’s impossible not to leave the theatre grinning, still chuckling in a posh English accent. It’s a joyous, uproarious ride from start to finish—one that offers a new lens through which to enjoy a beloved classic.

To book tickets to Pride and Prejudice, please visit https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/pride-and-prejudice

Photographer: Phil Erbacher

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

From The Front Row

Swan Lake on Ice: A Spellbinding Reimagining That Redefines the Art of Skating

18 January 2025 Faith Jessel

The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake on Ice Rating

★★★★★

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Forget everything you thought you knew about ice skating—it’s about to be redefined.

To mark their 21st anniversary, the Imperial Ice Stars present a breathtaking new production of Swan Lake on Ice that pushes the boundaries of performance art. This isn’t merely figure skating—it’s a dynamic fusion of ice theatre and circus artistry, infused with enchanting Russian folklore and Tchaikovsky’s ageless masterpiece. The result? A spectacle that mesmerises the senses and leaves audiences spellbound.

This isn’t a performance for purists seeking a traditional Swan Lake. While it honours iconic fairytale imagery like Odette’s anguish, a charming prince, and the shimmering beauty of the swans, it boldly reimagines the classic with innovative twists, a remix of the iconic score, and original musical additions. The result is a dazzling reinterpretation—a vibrant celebration of art, athleticism, and imagination.

Watching ice dancing live is a feast for the senses. You can smell the crisp, clean chill of the frozen stage and hear the exhilarating whoosh of blades slicing through ice. The shimmering costumes catch the light in dazzling displays, while the sharp crack of a perfectly executed jump reverberates through the air. Every movement, every glide, every leap, every nuance immerses you in a world of elegance and strength.

Featuring a cast of 23 elite skaters—collectively boasting over 250 medals in Olympic, World, European, and National Championships—this production transforms a frozen theatre stage into a playground of daring acrobatics and lyrical grace. Imperial Ice spares no effort in its design and execution. Snow drifts gently from above, fog swirls mysteriously across the ice, and pyrotechnic bursts ignite the stage, amplifying the drama. The choreography pushes the limits of contemporary ice dance, combining storytelling with awe-inspiring physicality.

Olga Sharutenko as Odette the White Swan embodies the character’s vulnerability and ethereal beauty with poignant grace. Her movements are fluid and deeply expressive. Act 2 sees her truly come to the fore, especially during the partner work, where her connection is both tender and intense. While her en pointe sequence showcased remarkable technical prowess and undeniable difficulty, it momentarily disrupted the natural flow and sweeping rhythm of the choreography. Even so, Sharutenko’s commanding performance left an indelible mark.

Maksim Miroshkin brings a charming and energetic presence to the role of Prince Siegfried. His partnering is undeniably strong, effortlessly lifting and supporting his partner with power and precision. It was a lively performance that brought a refreshing energy to the stage and story. Ratibor Shirokov, as Baron von Rothbart, commands the ice with menacing, strong movements and fabulous partnering. Dmitrii Lapshin plays the Prince’s loyal friend Benno. His skating is precise and sharp, showcasing exceptional technical skill and control, punctuated by several dazzling jumps.

As Odile, Viktorriia Mikhailova is a captivating enigma, personifying the Black Swan. Her skating is fast, fluid, and powerful, seamlessly blending incredible athleticism with pure, unadulterated artistry. Mikhailova’s portrayal perfectly captures the character’s seductive and manipulative nature, enthralling the audience with every movement. With her beautiful lines and impeccable mastery, her pas de deux with Miroshkin is a breathtaking display of lyricism, evoking the grace and intensity of Olympic-level competition.

The lake scenes were a highlight, where the skating flowed effortlessly with the music, undistracted by pyrotechnics or spectacle. In these moments, the ensemble moved with synchronised grace, while featured solos and duets added a profound intimacy, drawing the audience into a world where the emotional depth of Swan Lake was fully realised.

This dazzling production showcases the unparalleled artistry of Russian ice skaters, performed to a stirring Russian score, and warmly appreciated by the many Russian compatriots in the audience. But beyond that, the sheer spectacle, athleticism, technical brilliance, and boundless joy of the performers will keep both the young and the young-at-heart on the edge of their seats. Be sure to stay for the encore—an unforgettable surprise finale worth the ticket price alone.

To book tickets to The Imperial Ice Stars: Swan Lake on Ice , please visit swanlakeonice.com.au

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Faith Jessel

Ghost Quartet: A Haunting Musical Kaleidoscope

15 January 2025 Steve Willems

Ghost Quartet Rating

★★★★★

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When I first sat down in the Hayes Theatre, watching the performers playfully improvise to keep us entertained while a technical problem delayed the start, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

The stage was covered with Persian rugs and dressed in various antique furniture, cameras, and lamps. I knew there would be music. I knew there would be a blackout sequence (I read the program warnings), and I knew there would be no interval. But even when it was all over, and the audience leapt out of their seats for a standing ovation, I still wasn’t quite sure what I’d just experienced.

The best way to describe Ghost Quartet might be as a haunting, quirky, and inventive musical dreamscape. Directed by Brandon Pape, Antipodes Theatre’s production of Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet is like a fusion of The Twilight Zone and One Thousand and One Nights.

I must admit, I found the plot a little hard to follow initially, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment. It involved sisters, an astronomer, the stories we tell each other, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk. Ultimately, I decided to simply let go and immerse myself in the musical kaleidoscope. By the end of the production, the themes of ghosts, memory, and the passing down of stories across generations were conveyed in a surprising, effective, and powerful way.

The lighting design by Sidney Younger was beautiful and haunting, while the sound design by Evan Drill was outstanding. Antipodes’ actual ‘Ghost Quartet,’ led by musical director David Butler, constantly surprised me with their range, talent, and humour. They were all unique individuals and yet perfectly harmonious, interacting well with the audience in a way that kept the whole theatre engaged.

Hany Lee, Willow Sizer, David Butler, and Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward are all incredibly talented actor-musicians, each covering various musical styles and instruments while delivering strong individual and collective performances. There is one fifteen-minute sequence where you’ll find yourself wondering, long after the show, how they could keep changing styles and instruments so flawlessly.

Skipping an interval was a wise choice, as pausing the rollercoaster of this production would disrupt the show’s momentum and wake us all up from a musical trance. Like waking from a dream, returning to the same place is impossible once the spell is broken. It didn’t seem to be a problem. Despite the delayed start and extra pre-show drinks, I didn’t notice anyone leaving to miss any part of the show. This is a show I would wholeheartedly recommend experiencing—perhaps more than once.

Ghost Quartet by the Antipodes Theatre Co. is playing at the Hayes Theatre in Potts Point, Sydney, until the 1st of February 2025. To book tickets to Ghost Quartet, please visit https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/ghost-quartet/

Photographer: Angel Legas / 3 Fates Media

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Steve Willems

A Midsummer Nights Dream Come True

9 January 20259 January 2025 Caitren Sheather-Reid

A Midsummer Nights Dream Rating

★★★★★

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It’s a scorching 38-degree day, the sun is beating down fire-like rays, and I cannot stop sweating, and yet, when I am welcomed into Williamstown Botanic Gardens, everything feels a little bit cooler. Leaves en masse create dappled shade, and as I am guided on where to put my seat, my body temperature drops ever so slightly as my excitement rises.

I am here today to see Ozacts Midsummer Night’s Dream and, as an avid Shakespeare lover and student of the performing arts myself, this little clearing in these gardens suits me perfectly. A stretch of rope lines off the stage of gravel and grass, and shortly after, the play begins!

There truly is no better play well suited to a clearing in the gardens than a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and this company made full use of the different entrances and exits that were allowed in this setting. It truly felt as if the audience were a birds’ eye into the forest where all this beautifully comedic mayhem took place.

The beauty of this stage was that, apart from some pillows and blankets, the set design was stunningly simplistic and fully allowed the actors to tell the story without getting caught up in props and tidbits.
There was an attempt at sound and music, but as it was a rather open space, this got slightly lost. However, when heard, it created an ambience that further told the story in all its glory.

I want to give a (virtual) round of applause to every actor in this show. Each character had such a solid foundation, and I felt like I knew who they were. As an ensemble, each joke, each moment, and each word bounced superbly between both them and the audience. It was truly something magnificent to behold.

However, a special mention must go out to a few of this magic ensemble. LYSANDER, played by Ryan Stormland (who also played the Lion), had comedic timing as quick as a whip. As the Lion, the true feeling of just wanting to be involved was spot on, and as Lysander, each insult to Hermia(played by Kim Devitt) not only rolled off the tongue so splendidly but truly hit home not just to Hermia but also to us as an audience. HELENA, played by Maddie Roberts, (who also played ensemble parts) also displayed such a captivating array of feelings, from confused to offended to deeply madly in love, I fell for it all as hard as she fell for Demetrius!

All of this was further emphasised by gorgeous costumes. I loved the concept of Nick Bottom(played by Andy Delves) having donkey ears attached to his top hat and this reveal openly made me cackle. Titania’s costume was also an absolute sight to behold and created such a stunning silhouette which Carli Jones used to full advantage.

It’s so difficult to get an audience to understand Shakespeare, especially if they know nothing beforehand, but as a part of that audience, this ensemble transported us to a frolicking forest of fairies and fickle love that made us laugh, gasp and openly cringe and I would have it no other way. So if you wish to while away a balmy afternoon, I would highly suggest checking out Ozact and their Shakespeare in the Gardens. You will not be disappointed!

To book tickets to A Midsummer Nights Dream, please visit https://www.ozact.com/home/dates-locations/

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Caitren Sheather-Reid

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