Penelope is such a large play, so sprawling in its scope, that (surprisingly for a writer) Enda Walsh ends up leaving a great deal open for the assimilation of director, actor and audience, restraining himself to the grandiose words, relinquishing much of the structure and message to others. Walsh always likes to examine humans trapped […]
Category Archives: Articles
September
23
Penelope – Kate Gaul brings the audience deep into the Enda Walsh pool. (Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
September
22
Julie Anne and Julie are Bad in Bed, or So I Read (On A Toilet Stall Door) – (Sydney Fringe F Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
When I walked out of Julie Anne and Julie are Bad in Bed, or so I read (On a Toilet Stall Door) – how’s that for a title – I commented to the good folk of the PACT theatre there that night, that the most experimental works I’d seen at The Sydney Fringe this year […]
September
22
The Unstoppable, Unsung Story of Shakey M: Rowena Hutson,’Parky’ and Joy. (Sydney Fringe F Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
I pause and ask myself about the role of art in my life regularly, but I almost never stop to ask myself why I laugh and what makes me laugh. Aside from that nervous snigger we apply in awkward social situations (like every time I’m with my family). We have lots of “scientific reasons” for […]
September
19
Fred and Ginger – Marquez Laundry Theatre Company and the soaring of the human spirit. (Sydney Fringe F Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
As often happens, true genius is way ahead of its time. When that genius applies to art, the artist becomes a kind of prophet in the wilderness, a fortune teller if you like, who can see with great clarity what it takes the rest of the world years to come to. Diane Arbus is emerging […]
September
16
Equus – Michael Campbell and Nomadic Artists bring a soaring passion to the stage. (Sydney FF Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
There is something delightful about a banned play being produced for the public, and being performed in front of school children. It gives one the feeling of being Winston Smith, brazenly reading The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism by candlelight under the giant solitary eye of Big Brother. Equus is such a play. To […]
September
15
Lady Nerd – Keira Daley and female nerds through time. (Sydney Fringe Festival Cabaret Review)
posted by lisathatcher
The enormously talented Keira Daley and her super-support dude Mark Chamberlain have a new show at the Sydney Fringe this week called Keira Daley v’s the 90’s which promises to be as witty as her Lady Nerd show. I’m reviewing it later this week, but by way of warm up for this show, in a […]
September
14
A Sign of the Times – Steve Helper and the moment before we act. (Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
The final crushing moments in Waiting for Godot are: VLADIMIR: Well? Shall we go? ESTRAGON: Yes, let’s go. They do not move. If emotional and intellectual paralysis is the great theme of modern literature, Steve Helper is suggesting they are the great theme of modern life. The great catch cry of our “Man” in Steve […]
September
11
The Man Booker Prize Short List
posted by lisathatcher
Well, it’s that time of year again – when I get my speed reading glasses out and run through the six Booker nominated novels before the fifteenth of October when the winner is announced. The short list is, in no particular order: We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (Chatto & Windus) The Luminaries by […]
September
10
Any Womb Will Do – Gavin Roach and the baby thing. (Sydney Fringe F Theatre Review)
posted by lisathatcher
In a follow-up performance to Gavin Roach’s Confessions of a Grindr Addict, the character of Felix is delightfully revived a few years on from when we saw him last. In Any Womb Will Do he’s older now, still a bit of an odd ball, but as loveable as ever. Roach is a talented writer, and […]
September
10
Who do You See? – Sarah Vickery and Gavin Roach and the mind’s wild ride. (Sydney FringeF Theatre review)
posted by lisathatcher
The most terrifying ride I ever went on at any theme park around the world was the Alien ride at Disney world in Florida. The ride started as a “tour” of a mock-up of the spaceship used in the films. We are invited to have a quick trip into outer space, to experience the thrill […]
Lisa Thatcher 