Theatre Reviews

The ArkThe ArkDavid O'Brien

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Raucous Behaviour. House and Grounds, Carclew. 16 Mar 2024   There’s [ ... ]

Skye Scraper: The Life and Times of a Drag Queen AccountantSkye Scraper: The Life and Times of a Drag Queen A...Kym Clayton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Bally, Gluttony. 17 Mar 2024   Sky Scraper (aka John Hugo) is [ ... ]

Time MachineTime MachineKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Elizabeth Streb & Streb Extreme Action. Her Majesty’s Theatre. 16 Mar 2024   Time [ ... ]

BerlinersBerlinersKym Clayton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Studio, Holden Street Theatres. 16 Mar 2024   Berliners is a [ ... ]

WayfinderWayfinderArna Eyers-White

Adelaide Festival. Dance North. Space Theatre. 14 Mar 2024   Waiting in an overheated foyer for [ ... ]

Antigone in the AmazonAntigone in the AmazonSamela Harris

Adelaide Festival. Mio Rau/NT Gent & MST. Dunstan Playhouse. 15 Mar 2024   Implanting Sophocles' [ ... ]

MarrowMarrowAlex Wheaton

Adelaide Festival. Australian Dance Theatre. Odeon Theatre. Choreography: Daniel Riley. 13 Mar 2024   An [ ... ]

The BacchaeThe BacchaeSamela Harris

★★★1/2 Riverland Youth Theatre. The Arch, Holden Street Theatres. 12 Mar 2024   Brush up [ ... ]

MoistMoistKym Clayton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Bunker at Fool's Paradise. 7 Mar 2024   If it ain’t broke, [ ... ]

Qui a tué mon père (Who killed my father)Qui a tué mon père (Who killed my father)Samela Harris

Adelaide Festival. Schaubuhne Berlin & Theatre de las Ville Paris. Dunstan Playhouse. 9 Mar 2024   Despite [ ... ]

The PromiseThe PromiseJohn Wells

Adelaide Festival. Wende and the Royal Court Theatre. The Space. 7 Mar 2024   This shouldn’t [ ... ]

Station J – An MI6 ComedyStation J – An MI6 ComedyKym Clayton

★★★ Adelaide Fringe. The Arch, Holden Street Theatres. 7 Mar 2024   It is almost axiomatic [ ... ]

Daylight Express - Anthony Romaniuk: PerpetuumDaylight Express - Anthony Romaniuk: PerpetuumKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Elder Hall. 7 Mar 2024   Perpetuum is part of the Adelaide Festival’s [ ... ]

Is this the gate?Is this the gate?Chris Reid

Adelaide Festival. Nicholas Lens and JM Coetzee. Elder Hall. 8 Mar 2024   Elizabeth Costello is [ ... ]

I Am The BossI Am The BossAlex Wheaton

★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. 0471 Acro Physical Theatre & Cluster Arts. The Bunker, Fool’s [ ... ]

VirtuosoVirtuosoKym Clayton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Basement. 6 Mar 2024   Virtuoso is a one-man comedic routine [ ... ]

Diana Nguyen: Sunny Side UpDiana Nguyen: Sunny Side UpArna Eyers-White

★★★★ Diana Nguyen. Spiegel Zelt. 5 Mar 2024   Bodily functions (of various permutations) [ ... ]

The Threepenny OperaThe Threepenny OperaSamela Harris

Adelaide Festival. Berliner Ensemble. Her Majesty’s Theatre. 6 Mar 2024   No longer the “Wunderkind”, [ ... ]

The Ukulele ManThe Ukulele ManArna Eyers-White

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Marcel Cole. Star Theatres. 5 Mar 2024   In his heyday, the music [ ... ]

The Rest Is PoliticsThe Rest Is PoliticsJohn Wells

Adelaide Festival / Adelaide Writers Week. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart with Sarah Ferguson. Adelaide [ ... ]

Meredith ArwadyMeredith ArwadyKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. In recital with Michael Ierace. Daylight Express. Elder Hall. 4 Mar 2024   I [ ... ]

GuurandaGuurandaSamela Harris

Adelaide Festival. Insite Arts & Adelaide Festival. Her Majesty’s Theatre. 2 Mar 2024   Here [ ... ]

007 Voices Of Bond007 Voices Of BondKym Clayton

★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Regal Theatre. 2 Mar 2024   007 Voices of Bond is a celebration [ ... ]

The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of OzArna Eyers-White

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Adelaide Academy & Theatre Bugs. 1 Mar 2024 (Oz cast)   There [ ... ]

The Nightingale and Other FablesThe Nightingale and Other FablesKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Festival Theatre. 1 Mar 2024   From the moment the performance of The Nightingale [ ... ]

Uke Springsteen – Nebraska & The HitsUke Springsteen – Nebraska & The HitsArna Eyers-White

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Ben Roberts. Grace Emily Hotel. 29 Feb 2024   During this performance, [ ... ]

Goodbye, LinditaGoodbye, LinditaJohn Wells

Adelaide Festival. Dunstan Playhouse. 29 Feb 2024   In a sparsely-furnished, grey-walled room, [ ... ]

BlueBlueKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. State Theatre Company South Australia and Celsus in association with Adelaide Festival [ ... ]

ApricityApricityAlex Wheaton

★★★★★
Adelaide Fringe. The Vault at Fools Paradise. 27 Feb 2024   It is the hottest [ ... ]

RailedRailedArna Eyers-White

★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Head First Acrobats. The Vault, Fool’s Paradise. 27 Feb 2024   Money, [ ... ]

Jon & Jero: Stuff!Jon & Jero: Stuff!Arna Eyers-White

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Kingfisher at Gluttony. 25 Feb 2024   As the Neighbourhood [ ... ]

Future CargoFuture CargoAlex Wheaton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Future Cargo at Garden of Unearthly Delights. 21 Feb 2024   The [ ... ]

Behind the SongBehind the SongSamela Harris

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Sandi McMenamin. The Arch, Holden Street Theatres. 25 Feb 2024   Perchance [ ... ]

DemagogueDemagogueKym Clayton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Studio, Holden Street Theatres. 23 Feb 2024   Demagogue is a [ ... ]

OrpheusOrpheusKym Clayton

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. The Yurt at The Courtyard of Curiosities, The Migration Museum. 17 Feb [ ... ]

Two of ThemTwo of ThemChris Reid

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Shifting Lives Theatre. Lecture Gallery at MOD, University of South [ ... ]

Yuck CircusYuck CircusArna Eyers-White

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Umbrella Revolution, The Garden of Unearthly Delights. 22 Feb 2024   There’s [ ... ]

Sh!t-faced ShakespeareSh!t-faced ShakespeareArna Eyers-White

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Roundhouse, Garden of Unearthly Delights. 21 Feb 2024   If [ ... ]

GodzGodzAlex Wheaton

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Head First Acrobats. The Vault / Fools Paradise. 20 Feb 2024   One [ ... ]

Circus The ShowCircus The ShowArna Eyers-White

★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Showmen Productions. The Moa, Gluttony. 19 Feb 2024   The Moa is [ ... ]

Signor BaffoSignor BaffoArna Eyers-White

★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Interactive Theatre International. Ukiyo, Gluttony. 18 Feb 2024   The [ ... ]

Justin’s BIG Balloon ShowJustin’s BIG Balloon ShowArna Eyers-White

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. Presented by Showmen Productions. The May Wirth, Gluttony. 18 Feb 2024   As [ ... ]

Crème de la CrèmeCrème de la CrèmeAlex Wheaton

★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. The Vault / Fools Paradise. 17 Feb 2024   After queueing for quite [ ... ]

Fafi D’Alour UncutFafi D’Alour UncutAlex Wheaton

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Ukiyo / Gluttony. 17 Feb 2024   This is burlesque in a pure and [ ... ]

Hamlet in Fifteen MinutesHamlet in Fifteen MinutesSamela Harris

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Holden Street Theatres, Barbara Hardy Garden. 18 Feb 2024   No [ ... ]

Ham and PineappleHam and PineappleSamela Harris

★★★★1/2 Adelaide Fringe. Holden Street Theatres, The Arch   Peter Goers is back doing [ ... ]

We Have All the Time in the WorldWe Have All the Time in the WorldDavid O'Brien

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. SAYarts. The Gallery at The Courtyard of Curiosities, Migration Museum. [ ... ]

England & SonEngland & SonKym Clayton

★★★★★ Adelaide Fringe. The Studio, Holden Street Theatres. 17 Feb 2024   England & [ ... ]

Music Reviews

Symphony Series 2: HorizonsSymphony Series 2: HorizonsKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 22 Mar 2024   The physical horizon is almost mystical. [ ... ]

Gladys Knight: Farewell TourGladys Knight: Farewell TourAlex Wheaton

Frontier Touring. Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. 21 May 2024   This might be one of [ ... ]

Víkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg VariationsVíkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg VariationsKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Adelaide Town Hall. 15 Mar 2024   Every now and then, one is fortunate enough [ ... ]

Recitals on the Fringe: Esmond ChoiRecitals on the Fringe: Esmond ChoiChris Reid

★★★★★ Recitals Australia. Esmond Choi, Piano. North Adelaide Baptist Church. 24 Feb 2024   A [ ... ]

Symphony Series 1: MajestySymphony Series 1: MajestyKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 9 Feb 2024   The ASO’s first Symphony Series [ ... ]

FragmentationFragmentationKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Grainger Studio. 2 Feb 2024   The Adelaide Symphony orchestra’s [ ... ]

Eternal BeautyEternal BeautyKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Grainger Studio. 8 Dec 2023   “Welcome to this unique listening [ ... ]

Smoke And MirrorsSmoke And MirrorsKym Clayton

Adelaide Wind Orchestra. Elder Hall. 25 Nov 2023   The Adelaide Wind Orchestra is a musical gem [ ... ]

Wildschut & BraussWildschut & BraussKym Clayton

Musica Viva. Adelaide Town Hall. 15 Nov 2023   What does it mean to compose a piece of music for [ ... ]

A Symphony of SpaceA Symphony of SpaceKym Clayton

Woodville Concert Band. Woodville Town Hall. 20 Oct 2023   Community arts is alive and well in [ ... ]

Considering Matthew ShepardConsidering Matthew ShepardKym Clayton

Soundstream New Music. Elder Hall. 14 Oct 2023   Considering Matthew Shepard is billed as a “…modern [ ... ]

Vision String QuartetVision String QuartetKym Clayton

Musica Viva. Adelaide Town Hall. 12 Oct 2023   On occasion you know that what you are hearing in [ ... ]

Symphony Series 7: DreamsSymphony Series 7: DreamsKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 22 Sep 2023   What’s in a title? The ASO’s [ ... ]

Emily Sun in RecitalEmily Sun in RecitalKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Elder Hall, The University of Adelaide. 9 Sep 2023   Violinist Emily [ ... ]

Matinee Series 3: CarefreeMatinee Series 3: CarefreeKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Elder Hall. 9 Aug 2023   This reviewer has previously remarked that [ ... ]

A Stroll Around EuropeA Stroll Around EuropeKym Clayton

James Huon George & Philippa McAuliffe. Urrbrae House. 30 Jul 2023   There is a relatively [ ... ]

Symphony Series 5: VitalitySymphony Series 5: VitalityKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 28 Jul 2023   After a measured performance of [ ... ]

Chopin’s PianoChopin’s PianoKym Clayton

Musica Viva. Adelaide Town Hall. 26 Jul 2023   Chopin’s Piano is Musica Viva’s current [ ... ]

Symphony Series 4: EmbraceSymphony Series 4: EmbraceKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 7 Jul 2023   Tonight’s audience for the [ ... ]

Matinee Series 2: EleganceMatinee Series 2: EleganceKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 28 Jun 2023   The second concert in the ASO’s [ ... ]

Symphony Series 3: SkywardSymphony Series 3: SkywardKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 23 Jun 2023   Styled Skyward, the third concert [ ... ]

Garrick OhlssonGarrick OhlssonKym Clayton

Musica Viva. Adelaide Town Hall. 8 Jun 2023   Garrick Ohlsson speaks from the stage at various [ ... ]

Henry Rollins - Good To See YouHenry Rollins - Good To See YouAlex Wheaton

Thebarton Theatre. 8 Jun 2023   I’ve attended Henry Rollins performances for over 30 years [ ... ]

UtopiasUtopiasKym Clayton

Australian String Quartet. Adelaide Town Hall. 22 May 2023   The power of music is indisputable. [ ... ]

Among The Birds And The TreesAmong The Birds And The TreesKym Clayton

Musica Viva. Adelaide Town Hall. 26 Apr 2023   Musica Viva can be relied upon to present the uncommon, [ ... ]

Symphony Series 2: WildSymphony Series 2: WildKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 21 Apr 2023   Dubbed Wild, the second concert [ ... ]

Matinee Series 1: RadianceMatinee Series 1: RadianceKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Elder Hall. 5 Apr 2023   Presented in the recently refurbished Elder [ ... ]

Symphony Series 1: PanoramaSymphony Series 1: PanoramaKym Clayton

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Adelaide Town Hall. 31 Mar 2023   The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s [ ... ]

CelestialCelestialKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. St Peter’s Cathedral. 15 Mar 2023   The Adelaide Chamber Singers is one [ ... ]

Music for other WorldsMusic for other WorldsSamela Harris

Adelaide Festival. Alex Frayne and Paul Grabowsky. Adelaide Town Hall. 15 Mar 2023   Adelaide Town [ ... ]

Kronos Five DecadesKronos Five DecadesKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Festival Theatre. 13 Mar 2023   The Kronos Quartet is not your usual string [ ... ]

Cédric TiberghienCédric TiberghienKym Clayton

Adelaide Festival. Adelaide Town Hall. 6 Mar 2023   Presented in association with Musica Viva, [ ... ]

Visual Arts Reviews

Between the Details: Video Art from the ACMI CollectionBetween the Details: Video Art from the ACMI Colle...Chris Reid

Flinders University Museum of Art, Bedford Park. 15 Mar 2024   Between [the] Details is an engrossing [ ... ]

Dana AwartaniDana AwartaniWendy Walker

Samstag Museum of Art, University of South Australia. 12 Mar 2024   The Samstag Museum of Art reopened [ ... ]

NeotericaNeotericaChris Reid

Adelaide Festival. Northeastern Concourse, Adelaide Railway Station. 7 Mar 2024   Adelaide railway [ ... ]

Eighteenth Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art – Inner SanctumEighteenth Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art – I...Chris Reid

Inner Sanctum. Art Gallery of South Australia. 4 Mar 2024   Title image: Lawrence English. Photo [ ... ]

News & Opinion

Interview: Another Stroll in the ParkInterview: Another Stroll in the ParkMurray Bramwell

Murray Bramwell with Ian Scobie and Annette Tripodi. 20 Feb 2024   As WOMADelaide 2024 draws closer, [ ... ]

Story: Womadelaide 2024Story: Womadelaide 2024Paul Rodda

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Opinion: David O’Brien’s 2023 Top TenOpinion: David O’Brien’s 2023 Top TenDavid O'Brien

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Interview: Vonni Brit Watkins on Priscilla, The MusicalInterview: Vonni Brit Watkins on Priscilla, The Mu...Samela Harris

She's known simply as Vonni. Vonni Brit Watkins is Adelaide’s most vivacious transgender identity. Indeed, [ ... ]

Interview: The World Returns to Botanic ParkInterview: The World Returns to Botanic ParkMurray Bramwell

Murray Bramwell talks with Director Ian Scobie and Associate Director Annette Tripodi about the rapidly [ ... ]

Interview: Yungchen Lhamo’s WOMADelaide return.Interview: Yungchen Lhamo’s WOMADelaide return.Samela Harris

It was 28 years ago that we lay beneath the starlight in Botanic Park carried into a reverie as an ethereal [ ... ]

Interview: WOMAD musician shares the joyInterview: WOMAD musician shares the joySamela Harris

There he is, in home territory, Mumbai, sharply depicted against a pristine Zoom greenscreen. But it [ ... ]

Opinion: David O’Brien’s 2022 Top TenOpinion: David O’Brien’s 2022 Top TenDavid O'Brien

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Interview: Laughter expected on the Reps 23rd floor this monthInterview: Laughter expected on the Reps 23rd floo...Samela Harris

Post covid lockdowns and pre a predicted new wave, what we really need is laughter.   And who best [ ... ]

Interview: Annette Tripodi & Ian Scobie on WOMADelaide 2022Interview: Annette Tripodi & Ian Scobie on WOMADel...Murray Bramwell

Back to the Park: WOMADelaide 2022 Returns to Full Strength.   Director Ian Scobie and Associate [ ... ]

Story: Artists Petition SA Government to increase Fringe FundingStory: Artists Petition SA Government to increase ...Administrator

An unprecedented groundswell of pressure has erupted from the direction Fringe artists, summoning [ ... ]

Interview: Balkan Ethno OrchestraInterview: Balkan Ethno OrchestraSamela Harris

Out of these difficult few years of negative, comes a resounding positive. It is the Balkan Ethno Orchestra [ ... ]

Russell Starke OAMRussell Starke OAMSamela Harris

Russell Starke OAM.   He was one of our own, an early member of the Adelaide Critics Circle and [ ... ]

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In itself, her name rings a sense of gentle beauty with firm resolve. And, in herself, so it very much [ ... ]

Interview: Kelly Vincent on UnSeen and disability advocacyInterview: Kelly Vincent on UnSeen and disability ...Samela Harris

Are disabled people “unseen” by the able-bodied? Kelly Vincent thinks so. Indeed, she [ ... ]

Interview: Anchuli Felicia King on White Pearl for OzAsia 2021Interview: Anchuli Felicia King on White Pearl for...Samela Harris

How seriously do we dare to take the promises of the cosmetics industry? And, what is beauty, anyway? Such [ ... ]

Story: Holden Street's innovation for Ed Fringe Award in 2021Story: Holden Street's innovation for Ed Fringe Aw...Samela Harris

In this dire time of pandemic  Adelaide’s Holden Street Theatres is making thrilling history [ ... ]

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WOMADelaide 2021: Re-inventing for the PandemicWOMADelaide 2021: Re-inventing for the PandemicMurray Bramwell

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Story: Claire Della and the Moon prepares to LaunchStory: Claire Della and the Moon prepares to Launc...Samela Harris

Move over Little Prince. Claire Della is coming to the sky.   She’s using a ladder and she [ ... ]

Story: COVID Theatre Sees S.A. Lead The WayStory: COVID Theatre Sees S.A. Lead The WaySamela Harris

South Australia leads the way - again.   From a world of confused, demoralised, and struggling [ ... ]

Story: Her Majesty's Theatre; Stunningly New, Resplendently VacantStory: Her Majesty's Theatre; Stunningly New, Resp...Samela Harris

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Interview: Dave Brown; Patching the PaperBoatsInterview: Dave Brown; Patching the PaperBoatsSamela Harris

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Shaolin Warriors

OzAsia Festival. Festival Theatre - 10 Sept

If, like me, your knowledge of Kung Fu extends to watching Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies as a kid, or the wonderful David Carradine in the 70’s TV series Kung Fu, then you would have been stunned by the super-human capabilities of the Shaolin Warriors at the Festival Theatre on Saturday night.

In a truly spectacular display of martial arts physicality, including traditional techniques with a huge array of weaponry and dazzling ensemble choreography, the warriors produced a performance that was notable not only for its focus on physical strength, but also the grace and underlying spirituality of their art.

As China opens up progressively to the Western world, it is productions such as this – the first of its kind – which demonstrate the extraordinary discipline and beauty of Chinese cultural heritage, that will create a positive image for a nation that is in the course of the greatest transition in its history. For all the bravura display of strength and masculinity, the show never loses sight of the central tenet of Shaolin; that is the path of non-aggression and enlightenment.

The simple yet effective set, representing the courtyard spaces of a Monastery, combined with atmospheric lighting, dry ice and a musical soundtrack which utilized a range of traditional Chinese instruments as well as batteries of percussion, synthesized sounds and environmental noises, made for a beautifully integrated and balanced show which did not rely on any technological trickery.

There were touching moments also, including a section where the monks invited children from the audience to participate in an impromptu lesson on stage. The humor was never forced or overplayed as the children were corrected in their fighting stances and postures by gentle guiding hands.

Two child warriors dazzled the audience with sparring, tumbling and contortion routines that took our breath away.  There were also demonstrations of ‘extreme’ techniques, such as a master chopping cabbage on his belly with a razor-sharp cleaver, two monks sandwiched together on beds of nails topped with a concrete slab which was broken with a sledge hammer and an extraordinary sequence involving metal bars broken on heads and a monk balancing horizontally on five spears.

Whilst there were gasps from the audience and my near neighbor, who could not bear to watch, this element of the show did not become in any way gratuitous.

A simple narrative structure involving the journey from novice to graduation held the two-hour show together. This was a spectacular glimpse of a tradition spanning more than a millennia, packaged in a commercial and entertaining way that did not compromise the integrity or dignity of the performers.  Shaolin Warriors are the Harlem Globetrotters of Kung Fu. Don’t miss them next time they are in town.

Richard Chew

 

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