Although obviously the work of a playwright who is still finding her voice, I think it is an admirable debut play that discusses important feminist issues. I’m sure that many couples in their twenties and thirties will find Expiration Date relatable in its exploration of the difficult conversations regarding having or not having kids. The one-location storytelling and brilliantly simple set were perfectly engineered for indie theatre, and the creative team should be applauded for achieving more with less.
Author: JoBradley
Twitter- @JoLucyBradley
Film and Theatre Enthusiast.
Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox at Roslyn Packer Theatre
Never have I seen a children’s storybook rendered on stage so effectively, while maintaining the colour and personality of the source material. I got a ticket based off the dynamic trailer alone, and I was not disappointed.
Review: Fences at STC Wharf 1
Wilson’s writing is soulful and monologue-heavy—this is one of those ‘Mount Everest’ roles for actors at the top of their careers, and LaBonté and Newman live up to the challenge brilliantly.
Review: For The Time Being at Flow Studios
“It’s always refreshing to see contemporary australian work that takes the elitism out of theatre and brings in a young, new audience. I went with friends that aren’t ‘theatre people’ who really enjoyed it, and found the depiction of the twentysomething sharehouse experience amusing and relatable. It’s the theatrical equivalent of a well-written TV sitcom (in a good way).”
Review: CAMP at the Seymour Centre
As a young person in my twenties, many of my peers see Mardi Gras as another excuse to party. It was powerful to be reminded of Mardi Gras’ origin as a protest, particularly considering I saw the matinee show on the day of Mardi Gras. As a piece of theatre, CAMP isn’t particularly groundbreaking, but it is an important story that everyone should watch to learn about this crucial piece of Australia’s history.
Review: Sex Magick at Griffin Theatre Company
Brown and Greene have created a bold and brash story that combines social satire with a deeper reflection on masculinity and queer love across Australian and Indian cultures, although those two story elements aren’t weaved together as effortlessly as they could have. If you like your theatre provocative, risqué and loud, this is the show for you.
Review: Choir Boy at Riverside Theatres
The talented directing team of Dimitriadis and Okenyo have taken McCraney’s writing and delivered a tender and moving story that reckons with masculinity, sexuality and spirituality amongst young black men. As the cast took their bows to a standing ovation on opening night, many a tear was shed in the audience.
Review: Hubris and Humiliation at STC
Treston’s writing is witty and intelligent, paying homage to Austen while also creating a fun, campy story that stands on its own. Director Dean Bryant has delivered an energetic laugh-out-loud production—Hubris and Humiliation is a joy— a sparkly, fizzy delight.
Review: Chef at KXT
Ultimately, Chef was not for me. I found it hard to sit through the show’s grim tone and violent subject matter. While Birbara’s performance has been widely praised, I struggled to connect with her character and her performance.
Review: Blue at Upstairs Belvoir
Blue floored me. The past few days I’ve spent thinking about this play, I haven’t been able to find one flaw or thing I would do differently. The entire creative team, and particularly Weatherall and Brown, should feel incredibly proud of what they have achieved. They have set the bar extremely high for 2023 theatre, and I look forward to seeing if anyone else can top it.
Review: Australian Theatre Live & Emerald City
Australian Theatre Live has arrived and it’s the perfect compromise if you find yourself unable to go to the theatre for whatever reason (geographic, financial, Covid-19, etc). The new theatrical streaming service takes it inspiration from the success of National Theatre Live in the UK, offering high quality video recordings of mainstage theatrical performances. The…
Review: Tongue Tied at KXT
Tongue Tied is an incisive representation of a media culture that often prioritises publishing ‘scandalous’ news over the wellbeing of victims (see: the EJ Norvill Geoffrey Rush case).
I loved the contemporary and urgent subject matter of the play, and it made me think deeply about the many real-world examples that parallel the events of the play.
Scribbles of Stage and Screen 