Stars Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne
USA
1997
Seen on Foxtel
The true story of the U.S. Government's 1932 Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, in which a group of black test subjects were allowed to die, despite a cure having been developed.
Fascinating film about a difficult but true subject is handled beautifully. Compelling performances and excellent period detail.
Stars Michael Fassbender
Sweden
2017
Seen on Amazon Prime
Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman.
Disappointing film. Lacking in focus, the motivations of the characters are muddled, the storyline is obscure and by the end you couldn't care less who the killer is. One star for the snow scenery of Norway only.
Directed by Luke
Rogers
Chaika Theatre at the
ACTHub, Kingston to 12 November
Reviewed by Len Power
28 October 2022
When is a person's life events suitable for another to use
in their own creative process? That is
the question posed in Donald Margulies’ play, ‘Collected Stories’. It is also an unflinching look at honour,
trust, friendship, perceived betrayal and plagiarism set in the literary world of
New York in the early 90s.
Lisa Morrison, a student played by Natasha Vickery, attends a tutorial in 1992 in the home of Ruth, her lecturer and respected short story writer, played by Karen Vickery. Very aware initially of Ruth’s reputation, Lisa strikes up a close teacher-mentor-friend relationship with Ruth which is viewed over the next six years. In that time, Ruth tells of a long-ago love affair which Lisa uses, without telling Ruth, as the basis of her first novel.
Unlike in the movie, ‘All About Eve’, there is no overt treachery here. Lisa retains her friendship and respect for Ruth and believes she has a right to use the deeply personal story Ruth has told her in an unguarded moment. Lisa cannot understand that she has caused Ruth a deep and lasting hurt.
Karen Vickery as Ruth
 |
| Natasha Vickery as Lisa |
Watching these two top performers playing it is a treat in itself.
Selby & Friends
Llewellyn Hall
October 26
Reviewed by Len Power
In their final concert of the year, “Selby & Friends” revealed the inspirations of three composers whose music pays tribute or legacy to other remarkable artistic figures.
The players had a formidable list of credits between them. Natsuko Yoshimoto, violin, has won many prizes in international competitions and has appeared with many world-renowned orchestras. Richard Narroway, cello, enjoys an international career as a sought-after performer, recording artist and teacher. Kathryn Selby, piano, is the Artistic Director of “Selby & Friends” and has won prizes in numerous competitions and performed nationally and internationally.
Maurice Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin”, with an arrangement for piano trio by Matt van Brink, is a memorial work thought to evoke the spirit of composer, François Couperin. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of a friend of the composer (or in one case, two brothers) who had died fighting in World War I. The last movement is dedicated to the husband of Marguerite Long who first played it in 1919. The highlight of this work was the third movement whose beautiful melody was played with particularly great feeling.
Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor followed. Mendelssohn was a great admirer of the music of J.S.Bach. In four movements, it was the short, eerie third movement that clearly evoked the fairy world and led into the finale, which was grand and uplifting and the highlight of the work.
Composed in 1847, Robert Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor is in three movements. Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann’s wife, a composer herself, declared it her favourite. It was lush and romantic and the performers gave it a superb performance. The highlight of the work was the third movement, a poignant, lonely lament that was especially well- played.
The musicians each spoke at length about the works, adding another dimension to the concert. It is one of the things that distinguishes a “Selby & Friends” concert and makes it even more approachable and enjoyable.
This review was first published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of October 27.
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/.
I’m presenting the next in the series of ‘The Magic of
Music’ on Artsound FM on Saturday at 4pm.
Artsound’s music guru, Bert Whelan, has a formidable knowledge of music, ranging from the classics to light orchestral to the American Songbook and Broadway, as well as film music and popular 20th century songs. In this series, I’m playing a vast range of Bert’s personal favourites. Many you’ll know but I’m sure there’ll be new discoveries for you as well.
In this program you’ll hear, amongst others, ‘I Could Write A Book’ by Rodgers and Hart, the love theme from the movie, ‘Spartacus’ and Robert Farnon’s ‘Intermezzo for harp and strings’.
Join me, Len Power, Saturdays on Artsound FM at 4pm for ‘The Magic of Music’ or listen here now:
https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/playlists/the-magic-of-music/
Stars Will Smith
2021
USA
Seen on Foxtel
A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.
Excellent bio film has a memorable award-winning performance from Will Smith. Compelling all the way. Sensitively directed. Good screenplay about a difficult but charismatic man.
Directed by Jonathan
Biggins and Drew Forsythe
Presented by Canberra
Theatre Centre and Soft Tread Enterprises
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 5 November
Reviewed by Len Power
25 October 2022
From the opening number with the cast as those clowns with their mouths open at an amusement park, singing to ‘Happy Days’, one good sketch after another tumbles out at breath-taking speed.
Inflation, rising interest rates, conflict in Ukraine, climate disaster, culture wars, Covid and a looming World War Three – nothing is sacred.
 |
| The whole cast of 'The Wharf Revue' |
Without giving too much away, the highlights were ‘The Greens’, suspiciously reminiscent of ‘The Wiggles’, ‘Albo In Wonderland’, ‘Oh What a Culture’ with tunes from ‘Oh What A Lovely War’ and sharp sketches on Anthony Albanese, Jim Chalmers, Boris Johnson, Peta Credlin and King Charles III.
Many of the old favourites keep making news, unfortunately, and the Wharf Revue is merciless about them. Drew Forsyth is hysterical as Pauline Hanson, Mandy Bishop is superb as Jacqui Lambe, Phillip Scott is a brilliant Kevin Rudd and Jonathan Biggins brings out his Paul Keating again to devastating effect. So many people are on offer, it’s all a bit of a blur afterwards.
Mandy Bishop as Julia Gillard, Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating and Phillip Scott as Kevin Rudd
‘The Wharf Revue’ has become an annual institution. Maybe someone should be satirising them, too?
Len Power's reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’
programs.
Stars Paul Douglas, Hubert Gregg
UK
1954
Seen on GEM
An American businessman in Scotland is conned into shipping a valuable load of cargo to a Scottish island via a coal powered boat.
Funny tale has quirky characters and dry English humour all the way. One of the lesser-known Ealing Studios English comedies that you can't miss!
 |
| Kim Wilson as Canon Pennefather |
Directed by Jon
Elphick
Tempo Theatre
production
Belconnen Theatre to 29
October
Reviewed by Len Power
21 October 2022
One of the great Agatha Christie novels, “Death On The Nile
“, was first published in 1937. It was
dramatised as “Murder On The Nile” and opened in London’s West End in
1946. It’s probably best known to
audiences who flocked to the 1978 film adaption with Peter Ustinov and an all
star cast and the TV version with David Suchet in 2004. The least said about the overblown 2021 film
adaptation by Kenneth Branagh, the better.
While the novel and films feature the beloved character, Hercule Poirot, it’s a surprise to find that the play does not include him. Instead we have a parson, Canon Pennefather. This enabled Christie to have a character with a believably murky past so that suspicion falls on him, too. Christie felt that this change gave the play more drama as audiences would have decided that Poirot was above suspicion.
The drama all takes place on the observation deck of the paddle steamer, “Lotus” on the River Nile in Egypt between Shellal and Wadi Haifa. The nicely designed set by the director, Jon Elphick, gives plenty of playing area for the substantial cast. The play moves at a good pace and the director has ensured that the cast give well-rounded characterisations.
Kim Wilson takes the lead as Canon Pennefather and is particularly fine and believable. The rest of the cast all give good performances.
Of particular note are Christina Grant, as the harried companion, Paul Jackson as Dr. Bessner, with a realistic German accent and demeanour, Jacqueline Forrester as the newly-wed rich girl, Kay Mostyn, and Mark Ritchie as her bridegroom, Simon Mostyn.
A big surprise in this production was that Kim Wilson, who played Kay Mostyn, Kah-Mun Wong and Jacqueline Forrester are relatively new to acting on stage. Their performances were confident with a believable sense of the characters they were playing. They performed as though they had been acting for years and have a bright future.
My companion, who had not seen the show in any film adaptation and had not read the novel was completely fooled by the ingenious plot. For those who know the plot from the novel or films, it’s a rare chance to see how it works on stage. This is one of Tempo Theatre’s better productions.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 22 October.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
USA
1957
Seen on Blu-Ray
Lowell Thomas follows in the footsteps of Marco Polo in this new, digital restoration, the fourth of the original, three-panel Cinerama travelogues. The motion picture takes you to the "Roof of the World," the Himalayas and Karakoram mountains of Central Asia, the highest region in the world.
One of the best Cinerama features has been beautifully restored. The exotic locations make the film the least dated of all of them. The awful lyrics sung by Robert Merrill are the only negative in this film.
I’m presenting the next in the series of ‘The Magic of
Music’ on Artsound FM on Saturday at 4pm.
Artsound’s music guru, Bert Whelan, has a formidable knowledge of music, ranging from the classics to light orchestral to the American Songbook and Broadway, as well as film music and popular 20th century songs. In this series, I’m playing a vast range of Bert’s personal favourites. Many you’ll know but I’m sure there’ll be new discoveries for you as well.
In this program you’ll hear, amongst others, ‘The Man That Got Away’ from ‘A Star Is Born’, ‘Cornish Rhapsody’ by Hubert Bath, ‘The Dam Busters March’ by Eric Coates and 'Romance' from William Lloyd Webber's 'Serenade For Strings'.
Join me, Len Power, Saturdays on Artsound FM at 4pm for ‘The Magic of Music’ or listen here now:
https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/playlists/the-magic-of-music/
Stars Max Von Sydow, Liv Ullmann
1968
Seen on Blu-Ray
While vacationing on a remote Swedish island with his younger pregnant wife, an artist has an emotional breakdown while confronting his repressed desires.
Haunting and unsettling study of a nervous breakdown. Max Von Sydow is superb. Needs concentration but it is a great film not soon forgotten.
Jill Sullivan, mezzo-soprano
Donna Balson, piano
Wesley Music Centre
16 October 2022
Reviewed by Len Power
Think of roses and their romantic scent the scent and it’s
no wonder composers wrote so many songs focussing on this flower. In ‘The Time Of Roses’, Art Song Canberra’s
latest concert, mezzo-soprano, Jill Sullivan, and pianist, Donna Balson, presented
a range of songs and music celebrating roses and romance by composers such as Beethoven,
Schubert, Wagner, Grieg, Mahler, Sibelius and Mendelssohn.
Jill Sullivan, mezzo-soprano, has performed throughout Australia in opera and concert. She has performed with Opera Australia, the West Australian Opera and the Queensland Opera. She has an extensive concert, chamber and recital repertoire.
Donna Balson, pianist, worked in Germany for 25 years. She now teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has also performed as a singer internationally.
Donna Balson (piano) and Jill Sullivan (mezzo-soprano)
The program began with ‘Adelaide’ by Beethoven. Sullivan’s rich mezzo-soprano was notable for
its power and clarity as well as her clear diction. She gave a fine performance of this song,
bringing out an appealing rapturous sensitivity.
Other songs by Schubert and Brahms followed but the highlight of this first half of the concert was two of the Wesendonck Lieder by Richard Wagner, ‘In the Hothouse’ and ‘Dreams’. They displayed the power of her voice and her interpretation of the songs with their emotional range was thrilling.
Donna Balson played the ‘Fantasia in E major – The Last Rose of Summer’. It was a fine performance, bringing out the loneliness and reflectiveness of the work.
The highlights of the second part of the concert were Grieg’s ‘I Love But Thee’, two songs by Richard Strauss, ‘Red Roses’ and ‘The Roseband’, and the Sibelius setting of Shakespeare’s ‘Come Away Death’. All of them were an excellent showcase for Sullivan’s rich and powerful voice. Donna Balson’s accompaniment was assured throughout.
Donna Balson also played Benjamin Britten’s ‘The Last Rose Of Summer’ with a moving sensitivity and warmth.
Both performers gave down to earth information about the songs and piano works played. It was a memorable concert by these two fine artists.
Photo by Len Power
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
Artistic Director:
Ruth Osborne
Canberra College
Theatre to 15 October
Reviewed by Len Power
14 October
At the Canberra College Theatre, the performers in QL2
Dance’s, “Big Little Things”, ably showed that from little things, big things
grow.
39 dancers, aged from 8 to 18, presented seven items that explored our interconnectedness in many ways. Five choreographers collaborated with the dancers to produce works filled with imagination, energy, skill and enthusiasm.
The program opened with Ruth Osborne’s “Ripples On The Pond”, a clever dance that showed how one action can have a huge impact on others. Right from the start, the young dancers showed the discipline required to produce good work and have fun while doing it.
'Ripples In The Pond'
'Digging Deep: A Tale Of Tough Tradies'
Stephen and Lilah Gow’s “Inconsequential” then displayed the power and beauty of the electrical impulses of the human brain. Dramatic and full of unexpected twists and turns, it was notable for its more demanding choreography. The older dancers of the group deftly showed their skills in this piece.
“I Have Something To Say”, choreographed by Alanna Stenning and Patricia Hayes Cavanagh and inspired by protest, was an exciting and unusual work in which the rise and fall of the vocals were just as important as the dance.
“Broken Telephone” by Stephen Gow showed the power of rumours and how they can give rise to truthless speculations and diminishing or exaggerating facts. The rippling movements of the dancers were particularly well-executed.
The final item, “Closing The Circle”, choreographed again by Ruth Osborne, was a celebration of the making of the show. The high energy and enthusiasm of the dancers infused the audience.
It was interesting to observe that the younger people of the group already are displaying the discipline and basic skills necessary to go forward in dance. The older people were given the opportunity to show the more advanced skills they have learned. These young people have so much to look forward to, learn and enjoy as they make their way through this world of dance.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 15 October.
Photos by Lorna Sim Photography
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
“The Broadway
Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 16
October and repeated at 11pm on 17 October.
The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic,
music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 1970
In 1970, Lauren Bacall had a big hit with ‘Applause’, based on the movie ‘All About Eve’. Danny Kaye was in the musical ‘Two By Two’ about Noah’s Ark and Stephen Sondheim’s landmark musical, ‘Company’ opened. Shelley Winters was in a musical about the Marx Brothers called ‘Minnie’s Boys’.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Two By Two’ (from ‘Two by Two’), ‘Being Alive’ (‘Company’), ‘Be Happy’ (‘Minnie’s Boys’) ‘In My Own Lifetime’ (‘The Rothschilds’) and ‘Welcome To the Theatre’ (‘Applause’).
Performers include original cast members Dean Jones, Lauren Bacall, Danny Kaye, Shelley Winters, Hal Linden and Elaine Stritch.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Stars Marius Goring, Maria Schell
UK
1952
Seen on GEM
During World War II, German soldiers occupy the home of a beautiful Belgian girl and her mother. A forbidden affair ensues.
Good war-time drama is notable because of the unusual affair between the Belgian girl and the German commandant and the problems it causes. Well-acted and good screenplay keeps your interest all the way.
Stars Robert Atzorn
Sweden
1980
Seen on Blu-Ray disc
An account of the events before and after a murder committed by Peter Egermann, a disturbed businessman in a strained marriage, and what led Peter to perform such a shocking act.
Cold, rather unpleasant film has no-one can relate to and analyses a particularly violent murder. Well-acted and directed but bleak and hard to watch.
 |
I’m presenting the next in the series of ‘The Magic of
Music’ on Artsound FM on Saturday at 4pm.
Artsound’s music guru, Bert Whelan, has a formidable knowledge of music, ranging from the classics to light orchestral to the American Songbook and Broadway, as well as film music and popular 20th century songs. In this series, I’m playing a vast range of Bert’s personal favourites. Many you’ll know but I’m sure there’ll be new discoveries for you as well.
In this program you’ll hear, amongst others, ‘My Funny Valentine’ by Rodgers and Hart, ‘Gardens In The Rain’ by Claude DeBussy, ‘Until September’ by John Barry from the film of the same name and ‘Cheek To Cheek’ by Irving Berlin.
Join me, Len Power, Saturdays on Artsound FM at 4pm for ‘The Magic of Music’ or listen here now:
https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/playlists/the-magic-of-music/
“The Broadway
Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 9
October and repeated at 11pm on 10 October.
The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic,
music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 2016
In 2016, several first timers composed for Broadway. There was Edie Brickell for ‘Bright Star’, Sara Bareilles for ‘Waitress’, Chris Miller for ‘Tuck Everlasting’ and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. ‘Shuffle Long or The Making Of The Broadway Sensation Of 1921 And All That Followed’ was a revival of sorts with an amazing cast and ‘Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet of 1812’ brought a bit of Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ to Broadway.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Everything’s Golden (from ‘Tuck Everlasting’), ‘I’m Just Simply Full Of Jazz’ (’Shuffle Along…’), ‘She Used To Be Mine’ (‘Waitress’), ‘Sun Is Gonna Shine’ (’Bright Star’), ‘Dust And Ashes’ (‘Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet Of 1812’) and ‘Waving Through A Window’ (‘Dear Evan Hansen’).
Performers include original cast members Josh Groban, Audra McDonald, Terrence Mann, Adrienne Warren, Jesse Mueller, Carmen Cusack and Ben Platt.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Stars Kevin Cline
USA
2002
Seen on SBS World Movies
An idealistic prep school teacher attempts to redeem an incorrigible student.
Not as moving as it should be -its plot is too cynical ultimately for that. Kevin Klein is somewhat muted and the overall effect is just 'nice' but unmemorable. Beautifully filmed and the plot keeps you wondering where it's going.
 |
Directed by Jarrad
West
Everyman Theatre
ACTHUB theatre to 15
October
Reviewed by Len Power
6 October 2022
There’s something very likeable about ‘Beautiful Thing’ by
Jonathan Harvey. The play was written in
1993 when homosexuality was still a dirty word.
Jamie, a 15 year old, lives in a tough environment, the Thamesmead Estate in London. His hard-working mother has a steady stream of lovers including the latest, Tony, and rules with a tough love. He is bullied at school and his sexual awakening with his next door neighbour, Ste, as a gay person is just as much a surprise to him as it is to everyone else. Coming out in that environment would be a troubling process.
Playwright, Jonathan Harvey’s love for his characters shines though as the story progresses. Jamie’s story of sexual discovery is touching and told with delicacy.
Jarrod West has directed the play with great care, concentrating on the characters and ensuring a believable depth throughout. The play has a nice energy throughout, too.
The set, with the audience surrounding the action, has been designed by Isaac Emily and uses the space wisely, giving the players a large acting area to work on. Touches of colour keep the play from its bleak environment.
 |
| Nick Dyball (Jamie) and Liam Pritchard (Ste) |
As Jamie, young Nick Dyball gives a heart-felt performance of great sensitivity. It’s hard to believe that a person of his age could give such a knowing depth of performance, bringing out all of the sensitivity and self-doubt in the role.
 |
| Amy Kowalczuk (Sandra) |
Amy Kowalczuk gives a strong performance as Sandra, the mother, struggling though life herself. She strikes the right note of aggression and insecurity right from the beginning and maintains it thoughout. In spite of the tough exterior, you can see the love under the surface. It’s a very good multi-faceted performance.
As Tony, the boyfriend, Colin Giles is colourful and charming in a well thought out performance. It’s a credit to his skill as an actor that we hope he’s ‘the one’ for Sandra by the end of the play.
This is a tough, uncompromising play with an astonishing delicacy that suddenly moves you. It’s the characters that get to you as the play progresses and this cast masterfully draws you in.
Len Power's reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’
programs.
In this program you’ll hear, amongst others, ‘The Land Where The Good Songs Go’ by Jerome Kern, music from the movie, ‘Somewhere In Time’, by John Barry, ’Australia Victorious’ by Richard Mills and ‘Granada’ by William Walton.
Join me, Len Power, Saturdays on Artsound FM at 4pm for ‘The Magic of Music’ or listen here now:
https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-magic-of-music-episode-3/
Starring Beverley Garland
USA
1959
Seen on Disney+
A woman in a hypnotic state recounts to two doctors the details of a horrific experience from her past life that began with the mysterious and sudden disappearance of her husband.
Predictable scifi horror yarn of the 50s promises more than it delivers. Leading woman, Beverly Garland is quite good and so is Lon Chaney. Lots of scientific mumbo-jumbo. Laughable action at the end. You've been warned!
Stars George Cole
British
1953
Seen on GEM
After a mix-up at a music hall, a henpecked bank clerk who lives a dreary existence in suburban London finds himself onstage with ambiguously foreign magician Mendoza, who hypnotizes him into losing all of his inhibitions.
Well -directed farce with good British character actors. Everyone is excellent and plays this frenetic farce for all it's worth. It's dated, of course, but it's a pleasure to watch these people do what they do best. Recommended.
Stars Hayley Mills
USA
1961
Seen on Disney+
Teenage twin sisters swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.
Likeable entertainment. Hayley Mills is in top form. Screenplay is clever but feels a bit overlong by todays' standards. Nice to see Una Merkel. Enjoyable.
Starring Susanna Skaggs
USA
2022
Seen on Netflix
Lina makes a promise to her sick mother that she'll spend the summer before college in Rome, where she falls for the city, the people - and the "gelato".
A waste of time with stupid story and irritating characters. Nice scenery and that's about all.
USA
2007
Seen on Disney+
Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.
Superb characterisations and good script played by excellent performers. This is a treat from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Stars (voice): Roy Rogers
USA
1948
Seen on Disney+
An anthology of animated vignettes set to contemporary music. Segments: "Once Upon a Wintertime," two lovers rescued from an icy river by friendly animals; "Bumble Boogie," bee beset by musical instruments and symbols come to life; "Johnny Appleseed," story of the legendary pioneer tree-planter; "Trees," mood piece set to musical treatment of Joyce Kilmer's poem; "Little Toot," story of a heroic little tugboat who saves an ocean liner; "Blame it on the Samba," Donald Duck and Jose Carioca have the blues blown away at a Latin cafe; "Pecos Bill," story of the legendary cowpoke, his trusty mount Widowmaker and his sweetheart Slue Foot Sue.
OK dated animated film has imaginative animation. Stories are not very interesting in today's world and were probably bedtime stories for American children of that era. In the long ones children might lose attention. Music arrangements are well done.
“The Broadway
Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 2
October and repeated at 11pm on 3 October.
The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic,
music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 1941
1941 saw a mixed bag of shows and revues on Broadway. Cole Porter was there with his show, ‘Let’s Face It’. ‘Best Foot Forward’ introduced a young June Allyson and Eddie Cantor starred in ‘Banjo Eyes’. Gertrude Lawrence appeared in one of her most memorable shows, ‘Lady In The Dark’ and the revue ‘Sons O’ Fun’ featured Carmen Miranda.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Ev’ry Time’ (from ‘Best Foot Forward’), ‘Happy in Love’(Sons O’ Fun’), ‘We’re Having A Baby’ (‘Banjo Eyes’), ‘Jenny’ (‘Lady in the Dark’).
Performers include: Gertrude Lawrence, Dawn Upshaw, Eddie Cantor, Dinah Shore, Michael Feinstein, Carmen Miranda, Danny Kaye. Sophie Tucker and Lyn Redgrave.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Stars Rachel Weisz
British
2017
Seen on Disney+
A young Englishman plots revenge against his late cousin's mysterious, beautiful wife, believing her responsible for his death. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.
Good remake of Daphne Du Maurier story. Moody story is well told with good period wqork. Acting isvery good. Changed ending will disappoint some but it is very well made. Recommended.
Written by William
Shakespeare
Directed by Janine
Watson
Bell Shakespeare
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 8 October
Reviewed by Len Power
There’s a great sense of fun about Bell Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ right after the prologue, which makes you think it’s going to be a tragedy. This 1970s disco-type production of Shakespeare’s shortest play is delightful.
An old man, Egeon, laments the loss of his two sets of twins and their twin servants. Separately they turn up in Ephesus on the same day and chaos reigns as various members of the town begin to doubt their sanity when they encounter the different twins. All is sorted out, of course, and everyone is reunited, giving us a happy ending.
It has been given a production of great colour, John Travolta-type white suits and throbbing disco music. The palm trees and neon give it a holiday feel. It has been cleverly designed by Hugh O’Connor. In keeping with the era, the cast cavort through the play mostly with carefree ease but just like the era, there are rumblings of trouble.
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The ensemble cast play their roles well. The fashionable gender-swapping doesn’t
matter here and gives the play a few more laughs with Luciana becoming a rather
campish Luciano, played by Joseph ‘Wunujaka’ Althouse.. There is good work from the two sets of
twins. Skyler Ellis has more to do than
Felix Jozeps as the two Antipholus twins and Julia Billington and Ella Price
really register as the two non-binary Dromios.
Director, Janine Watson, deftly keeps the fun and story moving swiftly. This high energy production is true to its source and there is a surprising depth to the characters.
At the end, it is quite touching when we see the pain that the old man has gone through when he reunites with his wife and children. It might be a carefree era, but not everyone has been happy.
This is a fun farce, made even more palatable by the disco-ish setting. If you are unfamiliar with the play, you would benefit from reading the synopsis before it starts so that you have the characters clearly in mind. Bell Shakespeare, with productions such as this, seems to think you know the play as well as they do.
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/.
