Review: Spamalot (One Eyed Man Productions, Hayes Theatre Co)
The cast give it their all, but the sketchy show is no musical holy grail. Still, it’s a lot of fun.
The cast give it their all, but the sketchy show is no musical holy grail. Still, it’s a lot of fun.
Monty Python irreverence, a "kinky" Gilbert and Sullivan, and a new Australian musical are part of the bill.
Blazey Best gives a heart-on-her-sleeve performance in a show that doesn't shrink away from the gritty realities of vaudeville and burlesque.
Everything’s coming up roses for director Richard Carroll who now tackles Gypsy.
Highlights include Blazey Best in Gypsy, a revival of Australian musical Darlinghurst Nights, Aspects of Love, and In the Heights.
Highlights include Kate Mulvany in an Ibsen gender-switch, an adaptation of Bliss, and a revival of the Hayes’ Calamity Jane.
Elise McCann’s album Dahlesque, released by ABC Music, features the songs from her new cabaret show of the same name, which premiered to rave reviews at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Dahlesque comprises a selection of music inspired by the gloriously irreverent, darkly funny stories of children’s author Roald Dahl including numbers from the film Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and the musicals Matilda The Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. It’s a clever idea, and spins off the fact that McCann recently played Miss Honey in the Australian production of Matilda The Musical, winning both a Sydney Theatre Award and a Helpmann Award for her touching portrayal. The warmth and glow that McCann has as a stage performer shines through on the album. She has a lovely pure, true voice with a honeyed tone in her middle register, an effortless belt, and top notes that send ripples down the spine. It’s also a voice with real character. Her diction is impeccable and she connects with the lyric, which makes her a great storyteller in song – altogether a consummate musical theatre voice. Accompanied here by a nine-piece band under the musical direction of…
Elise McCann's new show is a magical meeting of Roald Dahl's creative genius and real life.
Virginia Gay's Calamity is just one of the joys to be found in these Black Hills of Dakota.
★★½☆☆ Musical itself is weak but fabulous (conjoined) co-stars are well worth seeing.