PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*sort of)

 

Written by Isobel McArthur

Directed by Simon Harvey

Based on the novel by Jane Austin

Canberra Theatre at the Canberra Theatre Centre to 27 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 September 2026

 

If obvious humour is your thing, this might be the show for you. The classic Pride and Prejudice story by Jane Austen and the Regency period is sent up with TV sitcom humour, a tough modern-speaking all woman cast, a few recognizable recent songs and a liberal sprinkling of the F-word for cheap laughs. There might be a bit of a feminist political statement in there as well.

With the show covering nearly the entire original story, it certainly is a very long evening. Anyone who sees this without a knowledge of the plot would be hard-pressed to know what is going on amongst all the jokes and hijinks. At the opening night performance, the audience seemed to warm to the humour only in the second act. They probably realized by then that they should just concentrate on the jokes and forget trying to follow the story.

On the plus side, the five women performers give expert high energy performances and all sing very well. They play the male characters of the story as well and at times it’s hard to keep up with who they’re playing now. Not that it really matters. However, Kaori Maeda-Judge is a standout with her characterization of Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

This touring production has an impressive set with a huge staircase and towering bookcase. There is a clever lighting design by Jason Bovaird and some good theatrical tricks are staged very well. It all moves along at a fast pace. Where some moments seem laboured and obvious in their delivery, it’s a fault of the material and the direction, not the performer.

Recognizing things out of period is a major part of the humour in this show. There is the character struggling to open a tin of Pringles, a box of Kellogg’s Frosties lying on the sofa, cast members chasing each other with plastic spray bottles, the stack of drink cans on a table at the Merryton Ball and the wheelie bin name-stamped with Jane Aust-Bin (groan).

This play won the Olivier Award in London for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. It makes you wonder about the competition that year.

 

Photos by Matthew Chen

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

 

 

FROZEN (MUSICAL)

 

Book by Jennifer Lee

Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Directed by James Tolhurst-Close

Musical Director: Callum Tolhurst-Close

Free Rain Theatre Company production

The Q, Queanbeyan to 11 October

 

Reviewed by Len Power 17 September 2026

 

Based on the 2013 Disney animated film, a stage musical version played successfully on Broadway from 2018 and cost $35 million to mount. The spectacular local production by Free Rain Theatre looks like it cost that much, too.

The musical’s story is expanded from the film with new songs and there is a deeper exploration of the relationship between two sisters, Elsa and Anna, who are princesses, one with magical powers to create snow and ice which she does not know how to control. After inheriting the throne, Elsa has to flee, which causes the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter. Sacrifice and true love ultimately save the day.

Chloe Stevenson (Anna)

Amongst the large cast, there are some standout performances. Chloe Stevenson is a hugely appealing Anna. Her beautifully sung ‘For The First Time In Forever’ wins her over to the audience early in the show. Charlotte Morphett as Elsa has the best song in the show, ‘Let It Go’. Her strong, emotional performance of the song and her icy presence throughout the show are truly memorable. Both actors also impress with their believable relationship as sisters.

Charlotte Morphett (Elsa)

With his song, ‘In Summer’, Joe Dinn is delightful as Olaf, the snowman. Cameron Taylor as Oaken, performs his song ‘Hygge’ with gusto. Jackson Gibbs as Kristoff sings an appealing ‘Rheindeers Are Better Than People’ and Graeme Fennamore steals the show as Sven, the rheindeer. There are also fine performances by Joshua Kirk as Hans, Mele Tuli as Young Anna and Zahra Zulkapli as Young Elsa. The roles of Young Anna and Young Elsa will alternate with Millicent Fitzgerald and Meadow Kuske during the season. Everybody on stage impresses in this show and the enthusiastic and hard-working chorus sing and dance very well.

The cast of 'Frozen'

For this show to work it needs a spectacular icy setting. The set design by John Nicholls and Ethan Henderson is atmospheric, practical and a feast for the eye. Fiona Leach’s many costumes are colourful and finely detailed. The music, conducted by Callum Tolhurst-Close, is played very well by the orchestra.

Both the lighting design by Jono Gerdes and well-balanced sound design by Chris Neal are imaginative and brilliantly executed. They bring so much extra depth to the production.

Mounting this show must be a mammoth undertaking. Full credit goes to the director, James Tolhurst-Close, for creating such a memorable and enjoyable entertainment.

Photos by Photox, Ben Appleton

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

 

 

ECHOES OF HUMANITY - NCO (CONCERT)

 

National Capital Orchestra

Louis Sharpe, conductor

Lucas Krupinski, solo piano

Llewellyn Hall, September 12

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Joining forces with the St Vincent de Paul Society, Canberra/Goulburn, the National Capital Orchestra presented a charity concert to help support people in our region experiencing hardship.

Echoes of Humanity described perfectly the emotive and famous works presented. That they were also a formidable challenge to perform created quite a sense of anticipation before the concert began.

Conducted by Louis Sharpe, the program commenced with the much-loved Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov.

The piano was played by Lucas Krupinski. This British-Polish pianist made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2018 and has appeared with major orchestras across Asia, Europe and North America. He has also won many competitions. He performed at the Canberra International Music Festival in 2022.

Lucas Krupinski

From the outset, Krupinski’s playing was notable for its sensitivity, bringing out the richness in the melodies while stirring heightened emotions. The orchestra, guided by Sharpe, played confidently and with great clarity. Together, Krupinski and the orchestra gave this work an excellent performance, showing why this work’s fame has endured since its first full performance in 1901. It was thrilling to have the opportunity to experience it live.

National Capital Orchestra

After interval, Louis Sharpe and the orchestra returned to play another possibly even more formidable work – Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (Titan). Premiered in 1889, this deeply personal work is also highly emotional. It required a large orchestra to play, and Louis Sharpe advised the audience that the orchestra on stage was the largest ever for the company.

Lucas Krupinski, piano, and Louis Sharpe, conductor

From its quiet beginning, the orchestra showed great control. Through the various melodies and dramatic passages, they brought out all the shifting emotions of the work with enormous clarity and strength. There was particularly fine work by the French horns and the bassoons, and every part of the orchestra gave Mahler’s work a rousing performance of which they should all feel proud.

This was an exhilarating concert of two highly challenging works. Louis Sharpe, the orchestra and Lucas Krupinski made this an event to remember.

 

Photos by Peter Hislop

 

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 13 September 2026.

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

Len Power also presents the weekly Concert Hall program on Artsound FM, playing recordings of some of the best concerts from in and around Canberra. Concert Hall can be heard on Sundays at 8pm and is repeated on Wednesdays at 2pm.