Originally reviewed May 2017 for Theatre People.

Following on from the massive success of Beyond Misérables in 2015, which saw over $90 000 raised for beyondblue, the cast & crew of the smash hit Kinky Boots, are coming together to present BeyondKinky. Billed as a celebration of music of the the iconic, trailblazing women of rock and pop (and a nod to Kinky Boots Lyricist Cyndi Lauper), the night promises to not only be full of wall to wall hits, a chance to see the Kinky Boots cast showcase their amazing talents, but also a chance to raise much needed awareness and funds for the incredible work beyondblue to support people suffering from mental illness, depression and anxiety.

Originally reviewed March 2017 for Theatre People.

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. 

Originally reviewed February 2017 for Theatre People.

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.

Originally reviewed January 2017 for Theatre People.

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.

Originally reviewed June 2016 for Theatre People.

This was my fifth show of the 2015 Hayes Theatre Cabaret season and I’ll honestly admit, the performer I was the least familiar with. But by the end, I became a Josie Lane (Miracle City, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) fan.

Originally reviewed January 2016 for Theatre People.

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.