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Not a Fairytale Love Story

29/09/202529/09/2025 Virginia Gray🥉

Blue Rating

★★★★★

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“Blue” is a new work written and directed by Claire Yorston. Currently showing at Pip Theatre in Milton in the intimate Level 1 Studio, a black box theatre until October 4th.

The storyline was given as a romantic drama with a dark twist and came with content warnings of abuse – physical and verbal.
This opened on Friday night the 26th and the audience were privileged to an intimate setting to feel like privileged onlookers as the story unfolded.

Let’s start with the set. With double columns this could have been a very awkward space, but instead Claire designed a set where you could look and visualise the personal spaces of the characters. Designed to portray a working café, a bedroom, a lounge room and a beach, the furniture, props were enhanced by an ambitious soundscape that complimented this. And kudos to the talented light and sound tech operator Carter Firmager who managed that side very professionally, there were a lot of cues, and it all went very well. Lighting designed by Claire and sound and music by Hannah Page.

Reagan Warner, a well-known actor around Brisbane played the man. Reagan has a presence and holds the audience with the beginning monologue. His voice is rich, and the dulcet tones lulled the audience into a false sense of a fairytale romance.

Hayden Parsons played the boy – Elias who works at the coffee shop, and Laura Renee, the girl – Annette who is on the corporate ladder.

Both talented actors and well-cast for these roles.

Boy falls in love with girl, girl seems to take a while to warm up to him and then the whirlwind of romance sweeps them to marriage – the cracks appear straight away.

I don’t want to give the full plot away – I want you as the audience to experience the sudden twist like we all did on Friday night – when it happened there was a stomach drop – I could feel the hum of peoples brains trying to recalculate and compute as we moved away from the society norm of DV to what was unfolding before us.

Laura plays Annette with the coolness of someone focused on getting ahead, who warms to Elias’s charms and gentle way. Costuming is simple but suggestive of status.

Elias is that loveable scruffy kid who grew up with slightly alternative family and Hayden played him as gentle and kind.

Try to see new works, especially this one. Serious new drama must work harder to attract an audience, and this deserves to play to a full house. It is an honest portrayal of a relationship that shimmers on the outside but a toxic lava on the inside.

Not all love stories are fairy tales.

To book tickets to Blue, please visit https://piptheatre.org/2025-blue/.

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Toe Tap and Sing – Side by Side by Sondheim

28/09/2025 Linda Lokhee🏆🥇🦉

Side By Side By Sondheim Rating

★★★★★

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Genesian Theatre Company’s “Side by Side by Sondheim” showcased music from one of the most influential minds of musical theatre, Stephen Sondheim. He had a gift of creating distinct characters, via his witty wordplay and catchy music and drawing you in their world. This was a toe-tapping and energetic evening of musical theatre celebration.

From their opening number “Comedy Tonight” (from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” 1962), until the closing song, “Side by Side by Side” (from “Company” 1970), I was reminded of the golden age of music in movies and musicals; a period when soundtracks were filled with memorable, timeless songs that really captured the emotions and stories on stage. I was transported back to that era by watching and listening to the outstanding performances of the Genesian Theatre cast. Martin Hong was one of the featured soloists and his steady, smooth voice, easy-going mannerisms and smile portrayed a boyish crooner charm akin to Cary Grant. One of the highlights of the evening for me was his beautifully emotive performance of Losing My Mind (from “Follies”1971).

Director Declan Moore and Music Director Ben Fan created a strong sense of nostalgia on stage, a complete evening where patrons were surrounded by the sounds and styles that defined a special period in musical history. The included songs by Sondheim were in the form of a revue, a collection of songs from 1957 and spanning the next two decades, rather than a performance of one of this musicals with characters and a plot. As a result, the talented featured soloists were able to showcase their expertise in becoming several vastly different characters, often flipping from one character to another quickly.

An example of this is when Sarah Dolan brought us into the mind of an acutely panic stricken bride-to-be with her auctioneer-like, expert mile-a-minute performance in the song Getting Married Today (from “Company”). This harried performance contrasted with her gentle rendition of Little Lamb (from “Gypsy” 1959), where her character Louise is a young girl, singing a lonely song to her plush toys on her birthday.

Kimberly Yuzon had an impressive vocal range, showcasing control and versatility. Her clear and expressive voice allowed her to convey the emotive tone of the songs to the audience. One of my favourite songs was her rendition of Send in the Clowns (from “A Little Night Music”1973) which was performed with heartfelt emotion.

Elizabeth MacGregor was equally at ease on stage, showcasing a truly beautiful voice. Alongside her solo performances, she sang with harmonious clarity alongside her fellow cast members. Her flawlessly precise and tongue-twisting rendition of “The Boy From…” (from “The Mad Show” 1966) was unforgettable and had the audience laughing. It was remarkable how she managed to keep a straight face while delivering the chorus of this lyrically challenging song!

It was a joy to see the pianist, Lindsay Partridge accompanying the actors visible on-stage for the whole of the show, instead of being in the pit below the stage or behind a curtain. He performed each song flawlessly with heart, his deft fingers no doubt flying with expertise across the keys.

Barry Neilson played the Narrator, who introduced each song and gave the audience some background information on the origins of the song. Barry played different roles, and his expressions on stage were notable and amusing. Being a revue, there were many songs which involved the cast to sing together. It was a joy to watch their interactions with each other and they appeared to be having a lot of fun.

Catherine McKinnon’s costume design for the 5 cast members and pianist Lindsay Partridge had a red and black theme, a clever choice of duo simplicity as the glitz and sparkle of sequins shone like diamonds under the lights. The bright globes, and silver dropped curtains that lit up the stage was a nice touch reminiscent of those glamorous Hollywood times of the past, a fitting view from co-lighting designers Michael Schell and Cian Byrne.

The Genesian Theatre Company has crafted an experience that is not only entertaining but also a profoundly meaningful tribute to Mr Sondheim. If it were possible, I would recommend hosting a special evening where the audience could attend dressed in tuxedos and dazzling sequinned, sparkling gowns—it would be the perfect complement to this extraordinary show!

Side By Side By Sondheim is playing at The Genesian Theatre, 2b Gordon St, Rozelle.
Season: 26 September – 1 November 2025

Tickets can be purchased via the following link:
www.genesiantheatre.com.au/events/side-by-side-by-sondheim

To book tickets to Side By Side By Sondheim, please visit https://genesiantheatre.com.au/events/side-by-side-by-sondheim/.

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The Art of Violin

29/09/202527/09/2025 Anastassia Gerakas🥈

The Art of Violin Rating

★★★★★

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The Sydney Opera House is always a breathtaking setting for live performance, but tonight’s concert in the intimate Utzon Room was something truly special. Making their debut in this iconic venue, Bach Akademie Australia delivered a spellbinding program that not only showcased the ensemble’s exceptional musicianship but also celebrated the rich legacy of the violin concerto.

Close your eyes, and you could almost believe you’d been swept back to the golden age of the violin. Picture yourself in late 17th-century Italy: candlelit salons, the gentle hum of anticipation, and the first brilliant notes of a new form capturing the public’s imagination—the violin concerto. With master luthiers like Stradivari perfecting the instrument’s design, and composers elevating it to virtuosic heights, the violin became the soul of the Baroque era. It sang with fire and finesse, captivating audiences and rivalling even the grandeur of opera in popularity.

Tonight, under the inspired direction of Artistic Director Madeleine Easton, that golden age was vividly reborn with clarity and passion by Bach Akademie Australia under the artistic direction of Madeleine Easton. Her insightful commentary guided the audience through the historical and musical evolution of the violin, framing each work with warmth and erudition. What followed was a program of extraordinary variety and cohesion, featuring works by Vivaldi, Leclair, Handel, Telemann, and Bach.

The ensemble performed with remarkable finesse and stylistic authenticity. The blend of violin, viola, cello, double bass, theorbo, and harpsichord created a rich and resonant Baroque sound world that felt both timeless and immediate. Each piece was delivered with a sense of joy and reverence, perfectly suited to the acoustics and intimacy of the Utzon Room.

Three violin soloists took turns at centre stage, each offering a unique voice. Rafael Font’s interpretation of Leclair’s Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 7 No. 1 was luminous—technically agile and emotionally captivating, while Simone Slattery brought a poetic intensity to Telemann’s Violin Concerto in A minor, TWV 51:a1, illuminating its lyrical elegance and rhythmic drive.

As evening fell over Sydney Harbour, the music seemed to shimmer in response. Bach Akademie Australia did more than perform—they conjured a world, an era, and a spirit. The Art of Violin was not only a triumph of musicianship but a moving tribute to the enduring beauty of the instrument.

To book tickets to The Art of Violin, please visit https://www.bachakademieaustralia.com.au/events/the-art-of-violin-concert-1.

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Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim

21/09/2025 Adam Miller🥉

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim Rating

★★★★★

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Buckle in. There is going to be a lot of hyperbole in this review. When something is this good, how else can you describe it?

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim, presented by Watch This at Theatre Works, is less a musical revue and more a velvet-draped love letter to the genius of Sondheim. It’s the kind of show that slips under your skin, reshapes your idea of what cabaret can be and sets a new standard for how theatre should be made.

Theatre Works is perfect venue for this show. It balances epic with intimate, using the high ceiling to hang long luscious drapes but keeping the audience close enough that we felt every word on the stage. Designer Rob Sowinski has conjured a stage that feels like a plush, lived-in lounge room (art deco drinks trolley and all) with a circle of tiered staging, bathed in the soft glow of vintage table lamps. It’s intimate and luxurious.

What follows is a breathtaking journey through Sondheim’s songbook. Yes, the big numbers are here, but so are the deep cuts and the “why-don’t-more-people-sing-this?” gems. I’m sure Sondheim diehards will know that he wrote songs for the 1990 film, Dick Tracy, but I had no idea and it was a revelation to hear music from the soundtrack on the stage. The show flows with purpose and precision, thanks to the clean, intelligent direction of Melanie Hillman and Dean Drieberg, whose love of the material radiates through every moment. The loose thematic arc is shaped around Seurat’s artistic principles of Order, Design, Tension, Balance, Harmony. The structure gives the evening clarity without ever feeling constrained or contrived. This is cabaret at its best.

And then there’s the music.

Dr Trevor Jones, who arranges, musically directs and performs from the piano, is the beating heart at the centre of the piece. His arrangements are stunning. They are lush, showy when needed, simple when called for and always with a focus on the emotional truth of the songs. This is some of the finest musical storytelling I’ve heard on a Melbourne stage and reminds me why, when done well, musical theatre is one of the greatest art forms ever.

Johanna Allen is a master of her craft. Her ability to navigate the razor-thin line between vocal fireworks and emotional restraint is unmatched. She brings a knowingness to the stage that draws the audience in and lets us share the humour and pathos in all of her delivery. There are countless moments she channels such precision and ache that you could feel the entire theatre holding its breath. This is vocal acting of the highest order.

Vidya Makan broke my heart multiple times across the night. There’s an emotional directness to her performance that’s magnetic. Her choices are always fresh, never predictable and she elevates everything she touches with nuance and grace. Her I’m Still Here was a stand out moment in a evening of stand out moments. She gave us an exquisitely rendered journey from introspective calm to triumphant exuberance with countless little gut-punches along the way.

Nick Simpson-Deeks, as ever, delivers with polish and pinpoint clarity. He finds the architecture in each song, builds it, then knocks it down with a smirk or a sigh. It looks effortless, but this has to have been crafted and perfected over years. His Send in the Clowns has ruined every other version for me. Honestly. It needs to be bottled and prescribed to every aspiring performer and every audience member. It is good for the soul.

Jacob Rozario brings vibrant charisma and thrilling musicality. They shift gears effortlessly from the ridiculous to the sublime and their voice is an instrument of total control and warmth. There wasn’t a moment when their performance wasn’t a captivating blend of playful, detailed and vocally dazzling. His delivery of Can That Boy Foxtrot will stay with me for a long time.

Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim elicited a palpable love in the room, not just for Sondheim, but for collaboration, for precision, for joy. The audience left buzzing, visibly moved and audibly delighted. As for me? I’ve already booked to see it again.

This is one of the finest tributes to Sondheim I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Don’t miss it.

To book tickets to Colour and Light: The Art of Sondheim , please visit https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/colour-and-light.

Photographer: Ben Fon

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