Cultural Binge – independent theatre reviews from Sydney, Australia (mostly).
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U.F.O. (Griffin Lookout) ★★★1/2
Written by Kirby Medway. Griffin Theatre Company. 18-29 April, 2023. We’ve seen the blending of film and theatre on stage a fair bit recently, from Kip Williams’ ‘Cine-Theatre’ productions for Sydney Theatre Co (like The Picture of Dorian Gray), to Redline’s recent Collapsible. Now Griffin is playing host to re:group Collective’s U.F.O. Part cinema, part…
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La Cage aux Folles (State Theatre, Sydney) ★★★
Music & lyrics by Jerry Herman. Book by Harvey Fierstein. State Theatre, Sydney. April 19-23, 2023. Full review up on The Queer Review.
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Julia (Sydney Theatre Company) ★★★★★
Written by Joanna Murray-Smith. World Premiere. Sydney Theatre Company. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. 31 Mar – 20 May, 2023 Friends, Aussies, Countrymen, lend me your ears. We have come to the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House today, not to examine the life and legacy of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, but…
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Fences (Sydney Theatre Company) ★★★★1/2
Written by August Wilson. Australian Premiere. Sydney Theatre Company. Wharf Theatre. 25 Mar – 6 May, 2023. Sydney Theatre Company has struck a vein of precious gems with its presentation of overlooked African-American classics. First a dynamic production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in Sun, and now August Wilson’s tale of generational struggle, Fences. Troy…
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The Divine Miss Bette (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) ★★★★★
Written and performed by Catherine Alcorn after Bette Midler. Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Eternity Playhouse Mar 29 – Apr 1, 2023. From gay bathhouses to Broadway and beyond, Bette Midler has performed everywhere. Everywhere that is, except downtown Darlinghurst, but Catherine Alcorn is here to, um, plug that hole in her schedule with The Divine Miss…
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Cherry Smoke (KXT Broadway) ★★★1/2
Written by James McManus. KXT Broadway. Mar 24 – Apr 8, 2023. Four excellent performances and slick, smart design work combine to bring James McManus’ Cherry Smoke to life and give the new KXT Broadway a proper launch. It’s just unfortunate the play itself doesn’t live up to all the good work done to bring…
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Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Madama Butterfly ★★★★1/2
Written by Giacomo Puccini & Luigi Illica. Opera Australia. Mar 24 – Apr 23, 2023 When it comes to uniquely Sydney spectacles, it’s hard to beat Opera Australia’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. The vista alone is breathtaking, then to be serenaded with some of the finest voices and musicians around is utter bliss. But…
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Into The Woods ★★★1/2
Music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. Belvoir St Theatre. 18 Mar – 30 Apr 2023. Read my full review on The Queer Review.
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On A Clear Day You Can See Forever ★★★★
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, Music by Burton Lane, Revised and Adapted by Jay James-Moody. Squabbalogic & Seymour Centre. 17 Mar – 15 Apr, 2023 My full review is up on The Queer Review.
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& Juliet ★★★★1/2
Music & Lyrics by Max Martin and others. Book by David West Read. Based on Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare. Regent Theatre, Melbourne. Feb 10 – May 14, 2023. Read my full review up on The Queer Review.
Cultural Binge 