Calamity Jane

Originally reviewed March 2017 for Theatre People.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

It’s quite serendipitous that this production of Calamity Jane had its first preview on International Women’s Day. Based on the real life adventures of American frontierswoman, storyteller and larger than life character Martha Jane Canary, aka Calamity, the show shows no sign of its age, despite it’s first production being over 55 years ago. With successful TV shows like Deadwood (which includes many of the Calamity Jane characters, including the leading lady) and Westwood plus countless western movies, the frontier is never far off the pop culture radar. 

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Dogfight

Originally reviewed February 2017 for Theatre People.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

A sweet love story underpinned by the reality of war & friendship

The Marine Corps motto of “Semper Fi, Do or Die” plays a large thematic role in Dogfight, a musical based on a 1991 movie of the same name.

Do or Die for your country. Do or Die for your Marine brothers. Do or Die for love.

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Cats (Packemin Youth)

Originally reviewed January 2017 for Theatre People.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

A near Purrr-fect production from Packemin Youth

My love of Cats is no secret. I know it is one of those shows that you either love or hate, but I’m well and truly in the former category. My love for this show started a very young age. When I was 11 the dance studio I went to put on a production of Sleeping Beauty that interwove in other musicals. I remember watching the senior dancers rehearse and then perform a version of “The Jellicle Ball” and I was entranced and enchanted. Since then, this show has been very near and dear to my heart and when I’m asked “What is your favourite musical”, I say “If we are talking traditional musicals, then it is Cats”.

So I was as curious as a cat could be to see how one of the leading pro-am production companies, Packemin Youth, would tackle one of the biggest musicals in the world.

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The 80s are alive thanks to Packemin

Originally reviewed January 2016 for Theatre People.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

There may never be another decade again that so greatly shapes the pop culture world like the 80s. The ramifications of the movies, clothes, technology, tv shows, stars and most of all music continue to shape entertainment world as we know it today.

What was once cool became un-cool, then throwback trendy, hipster chic and dare I say…now cool again. I mean, just look at Star Wars.

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Heathers

Originally reviewed July 2015 for Theatre People.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

In 1988, when Heathers was released in cinemas, I was 12. I was in my final year of primary school and had just moved to Brisbane from a small town in mining Queensland. So it is no great surprise that up until last Friday, I hadn’t seen the movie. I wasn’t the target demographic on it’s release and it was just one of those films that remained on my “one day I”ll watch list”.

Ahead of seeing the Australian debut of Heathers: The Musical, I thought it might be a smart idea to watch the movie. Even though it was my first viewing, I was surprised how much not only the plot points I knew, but also the lines that have worked their way into cult-pop-culture.

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Ghost Stories

Originally reviewed July 2015 for Theatre People.

How do you review a show that asks you to keep its secrets? What do you say about a show that in over 450, 000 performances has managed to keep the plot points and storylines a mystery? Where do you draw the line between talking about the show and maintaining the enigma?

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Dedications

Originally reviewed June 2015 for Theatre People.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

“You are listening to 103.9FM, bringing you the hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s and today.”

Drawing inspiration from Richard Mercer’s seminal late night radio program, Love Songs and Dedications, writer and star (Australia’s) John James O’Hara (Rock of Ages, Wicked), writer Anthony Harkin (Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages), together with musical direction from Luke Hunter (The Rocky Horror Show, Jersey Boys) and choreography by Melanie Hawkins (Strictly Ballroom, King Kong) bring to the cabaret scene a new, funny & heartwarming show…Dedications.

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Hello World!

I’m so excited to be launching “B at the Bows”! To learn why I’m here, head to the About page.

I look forward to connecting with everyone in the live performance community in Australia and sharing my thoughts.

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