CANBERRA CABARET FESTIVAL (CABARET)

 

DNA The Cabaret performed by Janie Lawson

Dave 101 performed by Dave Collins

ACT Hub Theatre, Kingston 21 February

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

There was a huge buzz of anticipation in the full house at the ACT Hub Theatre for the two performers on the evening’s bill for the Canberra Cabaret Festival. Both performers exceeded their audience’s expectations, providing a highly entertaining evening of personal revelations and good music.

The first performer, Janie Lawson, presented DNA The Cabaret: A journey of identity, discovery, and new beginnings. Accompanied by Callum Tolhurst-Close on keyboard, Lawson began her show with a fine version of The Skye Boat Song. This journey song set the scene for her story of an unexpected discovery about her family background.

Janie Lawson

Choosing popular, theatre and film songs that provided emotional highlights for her story, Lawson provided intimate insights into her character as she related this compelling journey of discovery. Concluding with a rousing version of I Am What I Am from the musical La Cage Aux Folles, Lawson made the song a triumphant and emotional climax for both her personal journey and her show.

Lawson has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years, having performed in musicals, plays, cabarets, and corporate events locally, interstate and in the USA. She has most recently appeared as Maureen in Free Rain’s Beauty Queen of Leenane, Marion Woolnough in The Boy From Oz and Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot.

Dave Collins

For his show, Dave Collins presented Dave 101: An Introduction to Poor Life Choices. Choosing chapters from the book of his life so far, Collins provided a comedic look at incidents and missteps where hindsight has become a wonderful thing.

His very human and at times courageous insights were highlighted with a number of popular and theatre songs which displayed his powerful vocal ability. He was joined for well-chosen and performed individual duets by friends and guest performers Kara Murphy, Amelia Andersson-Nickson and Louiza Blomfield.

Collins is a Canberra and Sydney based singer/actor and musician, with a career spanning across television, stage, pantomime, big‑band leading, corporate events, and a broad range of musical theatre productions from local to international. He is currently the Lead Male Vocalist for Spectrum Big Band, performing at various corporate and public events across the Canberra region.

 

Photos by Photox – Ben Appleton

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 22 February 2026.

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

BEDROOM FARCE (PLAY)

 

Written by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Aarne Neeme

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 7 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 20 February 2026

 

Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Bedroom Farce’ was first performed in 1975 at the height of his most successful period of commercial success in England. He has written over 90 plays of which more than 40 have been produced in London’s West End.

In the play, three very different couples are seen in their bedrooms on a particular evening – an elderly couple preparing to go to their wedding anniversary dinner at a favourite restaurant, a couple who enjoy practical jokes preparing to host a party and a third couple who have been invited to that party but only the wife can attend because her husband is in bed with a bad back. A fourth unhappily married young couple also invited to the party will create a night of memorable chaos involving all three of those couples.

This play shows Ayckbourn at his best, commenting on the foibles of human behaviour and marriage in a very recognizable way. We all know people like this. Director, Aarne Neeme has ensured that the individual characters of the play are grounded in reality, allowing the humour to flow naturally.

Pat Gallagher (Ernest) and Sally Reinveld (Delia)

There is fine work from each of the performers. Pat Gallagher and Sally Rynveld are very effective as a couple who have been together for a long time and are aware of each other’s faults while managing to remain close. Rob de Fries and Azerie Cromhout are very funny as a couple where he is unwell and needy while she is not as sympathetic as he would like.

Rob de Fries (Nick) and James Grudnoff (Trevor)

Lachlan Abrahams and Antonia Kitzel deftly capture the fun of a practical joking couple as well as their growing frustration as their evening is ruined. James Grudnoff and Lara Connolly give fine characterizations of a warring married couple who go through life selfishly unaware of their impact on others.

Antonia Kitzel (Kate) and Lachlan Abrahams (Malcolm)

Andrew Kay’s striking set design of three bedrooms side by side cleverly shows aspects of each of the characters and the costume designs by Cate Clelland suit each of the characters perfectly.

This is a very funny play about recognizable married couples which has not dated at all. You might even see yourselves on that stage.

Photos by Cathy Breen

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.

 

NEVER CLOSER (PLAY)

Written by Grace Chapple

Directed by Lachlan Houen

Off the Ledge Theatre production

Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre to 28 February

 

Reviewed by Len Power 19 February 2026

 

Australian playwright, Grace Chapple, has set her debut play against the background of the sectarian conflict and violence of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Observing a group of friends over a number of years, the impact of that conflict is ever-present in the decisions they make about their lives.

In 1987, Deidre’s old school friends meet in her kitchen for the first time in ten years. Their reunion soon shows the differences that have grown between them. Tensions rise, especially when one of them reveals that they brought an English fiancé with them.

From left: Breanna Kelly, Tash Lyall, Pippin Carroll, Joel Hrbek, Emily O'Mahoney

The six actors give fine ensemble performances, bringing their individual characters to life. The overlapping dialogue is skilfully presented, giving each character a convincing naturalness. Emily O’Mahoney is particularly strong as the fiery and conflicted Deidre while Joel Hrbek gives a quieter but effective performance as the sensitive Jimmy. Pippin Carroll as Harry excels as the Englishman alarmingly out of his depth and Nick Bisa is thoroughly convincing as the damaged Conor. Breanna Kelly is a fine, no-nonsense Mary and Tash Lyall gives a quiet but definite strength to her character, Niamh.

 

From left: Emily O'Mahoney, Tash Lyall, Pippin Carroll, Breanna Kelly

Director, Lachlan Houen, has obtained fine performances from his cast, subtly showing the depth of the changing relationships between them. His attention to detail is evident throughout this powerful play.

Nick Bisa and Tash Lyall

The first and last parts of the play are not as strong as the Christmas Eve centre section. The last section is momentarily confusing with the change of time and characters. It felt surprisingly tacked on and unnecessary after the strong ending of the middle part. It would be a much stronger and effective play if it focussed just on the reunion at Christmas.

 

Photos by Photox – Ben Appleton

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 20 February 2025.

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.