Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

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“It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.” Douglas Adams

R&J

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"When you do dance, I wish you
A wave o' th' sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that."
The Winter's Tale (IV, iv, 159-161), William Shakespeare

Choreographer Natalie Weir has served up a fresh and breathtaking performance in R&J, her new work in three Acts inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Centred around the theme of love, R&J uses keyframes from Shakespeare's original play as pivotal points to explore how life for the two star crossed lovers may have been in an alternate universe. 
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Costume design by Bruce McKinven.

"Act One: Valley" is set in contemporary time in a nightclub in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. There is an immediacy to their love, a palpable sexuality between Romeo (Richard Causer) and Juliet (Riannon McLean) that's mesmerising. The lovers are inevitably confronted by Fate (David Williams), and so ensues a love triangle ending in a brawl, a surprising twist that I didn't expect especially as Romeo and Juliet is one of the few great love stories where the protagonists only have eyes for each other. The nexus: "Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss, I die."

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"Act Two: Verona" is set in 1810 and was the the act that resonated most strongly with me. It begins more closely aligned with the circumstances of the original play with Romeo (Jack Ziesing) and Juliet (Samantha Mitchell) in a beautifully tragic opening scene trying against all odds to reach one another and yet repeatedly pulled apart by the relentless force of the Divided Households (QUT & ACPA students). The nexus: "If thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow."

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"Act Three: Vintage" is set in 1950s suburbia and rather than intersecting with the original play like the first two Acts, it explores what may have become of Romeo (David WIlliams) and Juliet (Elise May) if they had not met with their fateful ends but instead, graduated from their adolescent infatuation and living a life of a married couple. Their private playful rituals and daily routines are wonderfully performed and it's because of this that the unexpected turn hits you like a sucker punch to the gut. The hypothetical: "Goodnight, goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight til it be morrow."

The music, composed by John Babbage and performed by Topology (John Babbage, Robert Davidson, Bernard Hoey, Marialy Pacheco, and Christa Powell), beautifully evoked the emotional journeys across all three Acts and together with the subtle and elegant use of costume (Bruce McKinven) to represent the different eras, as well as the dramatically effective lighting design (David Walters), they reinforced the theme that the facets of love transcends all boundaries of time. 

R&J is playing at the Playhouse, QPAC until Sat 23rd July.

 

The Little Green Road To Fairyland

"Who needs a pocketful of money when you can have a pocketful of dreams?"

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I really had no idea what to expect going in to see "The Little Green Road To Fairyland", but I didn't mind as I like being surprised. And this really was a fantastic gem of a surprise!

It is based on a vintage out of print Australian children's book and is a touching story of a fairy sacrificing her own fairy wings for friendship, then trying to find her way back to Fairyland. Mostly though, it's a hilarious and brilliantly performed fairytale by the excellent cast of dancers and musicians.

How do you describe a show that incorporates theatre, a live onstage chamber ensemble accompanied by a soprano, ballet, acrobatics, narration, shadow puppetry, dancing, physical comedy, fairies, and a squawking troll? You can't, which is why you should go see it for yourself! I was disappointed to find that such a great production is only on for 3 performances, so if you have kids, or you're a kid at heart, make sure you get in to see it tonight for the final performance at the Old Brisbane Museum as part of the Queensland Music Festival. It really has everything such as comedy and love...except a bit with a dog.

Unfortunately, the raised stage and the level seating made it difficult to see some parts of the performance, especially for many of the kids who ended up sitting on mums and dads' laps. Perhaps the first few rows should be reserved for children who are happy to be seated away from their parents. In any case, judging from the abundance of smiles, laughter, and enthusiastic applause, both children and adults alike were mesmerised, entertained and enchanted for the entire performance.

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