MIDDLE RAGED, A MUSICAL MELTDOWN (PLAY)

 

Written by Queenie van de Zandt and Tiffany Noack

Directed by Priscilla Jackman

Produced by Women with Pockets and Andrew Kay & Associates

The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 11 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 9 July 2026

 

Part comedy, part concert and part midlife awakening, Middle Raged celebrates the good and the bad aspects of that time when women hit midlife. It’s raw and doesn’t pull any punches but it’s also fiercely funny as four women share personal experiences during an ultimate night out together.

Created from hundreds of comments collected from women across Australia about this important time in their lives, the show shines a wide spotlight on the riotous chaos of aging, raging and changing. The clever, witty script is by Queenie van de Zandt and Tiffany Noack. While there’s plenty of rage, there’s also a surprising and feel-good optimism in the show.

Queenie van de Zandt, Valerie Bader, Zuleika Khan and Carita Farrer Spencer

The cast of four - Valerie Bader, Carita Farrer Spencer, Zuleika Khan and Queenie van de Zandt – give highly polished and individually appealing performances that range from high comedy to intense drama.

All are fine singers, too, performing relevant songs by Missy Higgins, Gillian Cosgriff, Laura Murphy, Tim Minchin, Sia and P!nk. They are supported by an excellent onstage band comprising Jillian O’Dowd on drums, Sandy Klose on bass and Robyn Womersley on keyboard.

Queenie van de Zandt and the cast

 There is an impressive and colourful production design by Isabel Hudson and a clever use of multimedia designed with flair by Mark Bolotin. The striking lighting design by Trudy Dalgleish adds a fine atmosphere to the show.

This fast-paced production, performed without interval, works very well. Director, Priscilla Jackman, has ensured that all the elements of this highly imaginative show come together, giving the audience an explosive entertainment.

For proof that middle age and menopause can still be hugely entertaining, look no further than this delightful show.

 

Photos by Philip Erbacher

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

 

CALIGULA (PLAY)

 

Written by Albert Camus

Directed by Isaiah Prichard

Performative Theatre production

Act Hub Theatre, Kingston to 4 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 2 July 2026

 

The human need to find meaning in a world that stays strangely silent and unhelpful is an absurd notion. Camus’ play uses the terror reign of the Roman emperor, Caligula, to show what crazy lengths a powerful man will go to when he is unable to find the answers to give reason to his life. When Caligula declares that he wants the moon, for the simple reason that he doesn’t have it yet, we’re in an uneasy place.

Director, Isaiah Prichard presented a clear vision with his production of this literate play. He is helped with a cleverly designed set by Kathleen Kershaw in which a cracked bust of Caligula loomed over the action and there were often startling but effective costume designs by Alex Ellwood.

Mischa Rippon as Caligula

The central role of Caligula is given an outstanding performance by Mischa Rippon. His commanding presence was balanced with a fine sense of the madness of the character. He displayed an especially strong sense of understanding of the man in his finely tuned vocal delivery, giving Caligula a humanity beneath the insanity.

Natasha Lyall (Caesonia) and Mischa Rippon (Caligula)

There were strong performances, too, from Natasha Lyall as Caesonia, Amy Gottschalk as Cherea, Alex Elwood as Scipio, Dan Fonn Prichard as Helicon and Paris Scharke as Mereia. Some other performances were a bit uneven but overall, the cast did a fine job bringing Camus’ characters to life.

This was a long play but, in this fine production, it was always compelling. Despite dealing with madness and absurdity, the director, Isaiah Prichard, maintained control throughout.

This production of Albert Camus’ rarely performed absurdist play, ‘Caligula’, by the youthful new Performative Theatre proved to be an exciting and memorable launching pad for the company.

 

Photos by Jack Dent

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

THE GOOD BOY GAME (PLAY)

Written by Patrick Vermillion

Directed by Caitlin Baker

Q The Locals production

The Q, Queanbeyan to 20 June

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 June 2026

 

A New Jersey, USA teenage boy plans to conduct a mass school shooting, followed by killing his parents. His plan unravels when his parents find out and hold him captive in the attic, trying to de-radicalise him with a therapist’s points-based reward system. That bit is kind of sane, but what follows is a furious and very black comedy that shows that his parents’ definition of good behaviour is just as crazy as the act planned by him.

The four actors deal with the over-the-top script more than competently, using a heightened style of acting, rather than trying to perform this for real. Particularly impressive is Giuliana Baggoley in the marathon role of the mother, who moves deftly from mother to monster to cartoon and back again. Bruce Hardie makes his mark early as the father even though he comes to a sticky end halfway through and Elaine Noon excels as the addled therapist.  Alastair McKenzie is truly frightening with the level of hate he achieves. The director keeps it all surging along at a breath-taking pace on a substantial and well-designed set.

Alastair McKenzie and Giuliana Baggoley

It took a while for the audience to get on the right wavelength and they responded with mostly nervous laughter throughout, almost as if they thought they shouldn’t find this funny. What’s not to like about school shootings, misogyny, sex, abuse, murder, suicide, incest, pornography, physical violence, gun violence and graphic and explicit language?

If any of those things turn you on, then this is the play for you!

 

Photo by Caitlin Baker

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