puppets
Dr Egg and the Man with No Ear: visual flair
On the night I saw Dr Egg and the Man with No Ear the audience was resolutely adult. This is a shame because this Australian production, which was re-staged recently in Chicago and is currently on at the Cultch, would be a great introduction for young people to the power of theatre to create beautiful and evocative imagery.
Elephant in Zulu: what more could you ask for?
If you have ever considered volunteering in a developing country, see Alice Nelson’s play, Elephant in Zulu. Really, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could use this play as an orientation for folks who want to leave the safety and affluence of North America to do good.
Kissing Swinburne: guilty pleasure
This condensed and selective bio piece about English bawdy poet Algernon Swinburne is a theatrical delight full of surprises, imaginative puppetry, and authentic tenderness.
Grandma Noda's Tigers: practical magic
Grandma Noda’s Tigers, currently on as part of Victoria's Uno Fest, is one of those special little shows where everything seems to work supernaturally well. Never before have I seen a house so full on a pay-what-you-can opening night. Actor/writer Chris Little (who co-wrote the show from his wife Regina Fitzgerald’s first draft) seemed pleased with this, too – and quite deservedly.
Grandma Noda's Tigers: tigers and lines and cheers, oh my!
It’s always a treat when adults and children alike can find joy in a live theatrical production, and Grandma Noda’s Tigers certainly delivers with this inventive and delightful piece of theatre currently on as part of the Uno Festival.
The Tooth Fairy: how much are your teeth worth?
In this Preposterous Fable, young Abigail, “the girl with the greatest teeth in the world” embarks upon a journey. This is no ordinary sojourn mind you. This one is fraught with emotional sea monsters, melodiously evil pirates, a truly wet ocean tempest and conniving boat thieves just to name a few of the perils she must face. Of course life for Abigail used to be much easier. Her smile lit up the world, she sang with the birds, danced with the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. People would do anything for the young darling as long as she smiled that gleaming smile. But as with all tales of innocence, there comes a time when that cruel world that Grampa always gripes about, finds you wandering in the woods and offers you an apple. And poor sweet naïve Abigail just happens to be hungry.
Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie: a funny take on what to expect in our later years
Verbatim theatre to me is like a documentary or an interview where the names and faces have been altered to keep the people anonymous. The characters in this show were as if you had met them before and listened to their stories. The stories besides the main character, Jackie, are real accounts from elderly people who reside at Emmy Monash Home for the aged.
