What I Loved in 2019: The best of Melbourne theatre. And thank you

This year I saw a lot of new work and emerging artists, which is how I started writing about theatre. Many of those artists and companies from the early days are now on our main stages, where indie criticism isn't as welcome and masthead criticsm is reduced to an adjective. I do both.

Seeing new work and watching companies and artists develop is one of the most satisfying parts of being a theatre writer. When you see something remarkable in a tiny room, you come back and see them again and again. Watching other people discover that same remarkable is amazing.

If you have to choose between seeing one big show or 20 small ones, see the small ones. You'll feel better.

There's such a demand for indie critics and writers because, no matter how tough it gets, our indie performers, companies and venues keep making work.

Independent and emerging performers, if you want people to see your work and write about it, find the voices or publications that you like and read or listen to or follow. There will be someone who totally gets your work and will be the voice that describes your art in ways that makes other people want to see you.

If you don't know who those reviewers they are yet, read, listen to and follow indie voices!

If you want to write about or talk about theatre, just start doing it. Don't rely on it being a paid job and don't despair if you're not read by thousands. Keep going; it'll happen. Keep seeing work. And when you find those shows and artists that you totally understand, your work becomes part of the community.

(And, keep an eye out because I will be running more writing workshops and publicity workshops next year.)

If you're on those big stages and see work on those stages and wonder why all you ever see is star ratings, ask why and speak up.


Sometimes Melbourne celebrates nearly 14 years of writing about theatre in Melbourne.

I don't know what's going to happen next year, but it's time for Sometimes Melbourne to have a break. It's a difficult decision but I don't have the resources or support to keep it going. I'll still write for other publications, teach and see as many shows as possible.

Thank you to every artists and show I've seen. You're all amazing. Thank you for the messages and conversations. Thank you for your work. You make a difference.


And here are my favourite shows and artists of 2019. I'd see every one of them again.

Outstanding artists 2019

WRITING

Zoey Dawson for Australian Realness at Malthouse

Emily Goddard, Chanella Marci. "Australian Realness" Photo by Pia Johnson

Bridget Mackey for Love/Chamberlain at Theatre Works

Rebekah Hill, Dana Miltins. "Love Chamberlain"

Special mention

Wil Greenway for Either Side of Everything at MICF

Will Greenway

DESIGN

Costume 
Gabriela Tylesova for Muriel's Wedding: The Musical, Global Creatures in association with Sydney Theatre Company

"Muriel's Wedding"

Set/lighting
Kate Davies/Emma Valente for Unwoman, The Rabble at The Substation

"Unwoman" by The Rabble. Photo by Pier Carthew

Lighting
Clare Springett for Oil at Red Stitch.

"Oil". Photo by John Lloyd Fillingham

PERFORMANCE

The cast of Anthem, Arts Centre Melbourne at MIAF

Maude Davey, Reef Ireland, Ruci Kaisila, Thuso Lekwape, Amanda Ma, Maria Mercedes, Tony Nikolakopoulos, Eryn Jean Norvill, Sahil Saluja, Osamah Sami, Eva Seymour, Carly Sheppard,  Jenny M Thomas, Dan Witton 

"Anthem" Photo by Pia Johnson

The cast of Unwoman, The Rabble at The Substation
Part I: Annalise Matthews, Toni Main, Robyn McMicking, Anna Nottle and Mattie Young
Part II: Dana Miltins and Mary Helen Sassman
Part II: Yumi Umiumare
Testimonials ead by Mila Jennings


Special mentions

Helena Dix as Norma in Norma, Melbourne Opera

Nick Simpson-Deeks as George in Sunday in the Park with George, Watch This

Christie Whelan Brown as Tania in Muriel's Wedding: The Musical, Global Creatures in association with Sydney Theatre Company

Helena Dix. "Norma"

Nick Simspson-Deeks, Vidya Makan. "Sunday in the Park with George"

Keep an eye on

Luisa Scrofani in My Brilliant Career, the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, the Centre for Theatre and Performance and Monash Academy of Performing Arts in association with the Jeanne Pratt Musical Theatre Artists in Residence Program.

Luisa Scrofany. "My Brilliant Career"

DIRECTION

Declan Green for Wake in Fright, Malthouse

"Wake in Fright". Photo by Pia Johnson

Everything they do rocks 2019

Everyone at The Butterfly Club for supporting, promoting and presenting independent cabaret, comedy, music and theatre more than anyone else in town.

Everyone includes:
All staff who program, promote and organise.
All the front of house.
All the bar staff.
Anyone I missed.
And everyone involved with Enter Closer, Crowded and the other managed venues during festivals.

The Butterfly Club. Photo by Stano Murin

The Butterfly Club celebrated its 20th birthday this year. After moving from South Melbourne, it's now tucked away in a three-level wonderland in Carson Place in the middle of the city (boxed by Swanston, Elizabeth, Collins and Bourke streets).

Every night there are between two and eight different shows that include regular nights, independent shows and venue-produced shows. They support indie artists from the application process to front of house staff and help with promotion and media.

Artists who perform there talk about being welcomed into a family.

Audiences love the place. From the changing menu of cocktails to hanging around and analysing at the minimalist decor*, it's a joy to be there.

(And one day, there will be some funding to deal with the access issues of a very old building with lots of stairs.)

*not minimalist. My favourites are the art deco cat lamp, the Ginger and Fred series of photos, and the framed and stuffed kitten tea towel.


and


Lessons with Luis

Lessons With Luis

I genuinely don't understand how Luis and his family aren't international superstars.

When I see a Lessons with Luis show, I forget about being a reviewer because I am so happy to be there. The work is so complete that the line between character and performer doesn't exist and they tell a truth about families and grief that is so real that I don't want to be confronted with the idea that it's a performance.

And Luis likes cats. 

This year I saw Stickin' Together at MICF and went to Yadna's 47th Birthday.

Outstanding productions 2019

MUSICAL

Come From Away, multiple producers

"Come From Away". Photo by Jeff Busby

Special mention

Polygamy, Polygayou, produced by Clare Rankine at Melbourne Fringe

"Polygamy, Polygayou". Photo by Ling Duong

COMMERCIAL

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, parts one and two, multiple producers


COMEDY

Cassie Workman, Giantess at MICF

Cassie Workma

Special mentions
Patrick Collins Mime Consultant at MICF

Joshua Ladgrove pumps your bilge at MICF and Melbourne Fringe

Completely Improvised Potter, Soothplayers at MICF and Melbourne Fringe

Frobert and Ladgrove

"Patrick Collins Mime Consultant"

"Completely Improvised Potter". Photo by Mark Gambi

CABARET

BOOBS by Selina Jenkins at Melbourne Fringe

Special mention

Garbage Monster by Alice Tovey, Hot Mess Productions and The Butterfly Club at MICF

Selina Jenkins

 

Alice Tovey

DANCE

Collossus, Stephanie Lake Company, Arts Centre Melbourne at MIAF

"Collossus"

OPERA

Norma, Melbourne Opera

Best of the best 2019

The Butch Monologues, Theatre Works and Stage Mom at Midsumma

cast of "The Butch Monologues"

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, parts one and two, multiple producers

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"

Keep, Daniel Kitson at MICF

Daniel Kitson

Barbara and the Camp Dogs, Malthouse presents a Belvoir production

Elaine Crombie, Ursula Yovich. "Barbara and the Camp Dogs". Photo by Pia Johnson

Waterloo by Bron Batten at Melbourne Fringe

Bron Batten. "Waterloo". Photo by Theresa Harrison

My favourite show of 2019

The Living Room by Amrita Dhaliwal and Gemma Soldati at Melbourne Fringe

Amrita Dhalial and Gemma Soldati. "The Living Room"

 Which is coming back for comedy festival!

Past favourites.
2018

2017
2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007

Review: Yadna's 47th Birthday

Yadna's 47th Birthday
Lessons with Luis
13 October 2019
Fleming Park Community Hall
next show 20 October
Facebook event page

Lessons with Luis. "Yadna's 47th Birthday"

Dear Luis,

Thank you very much for inviting me to Yadna's 47th Birthday party.

The hall looked so good with the decorations and the cakes and chips were yummy; I had a pink cake. I was also really happy that I could wear the badge that you made; it's my most favourite badge because no one else in the world has a badge of a happy meerkat fixing a bicycle.

I'm sorry Luelin wrapped your cat puzzle up as a pass-the-parcel prize; if I see one like it at an op shop, I will buy it for you. I also have a little brother and even as adults, little brothers can be really annoying. But it was really nice when he sang Yadna your mum's favourite song. I think your mum would be very happy knowing that you have a neighbour like Yadna who makes you both lasagne.

Some photos I took at the party
and Luis's photo of the doily I made Yadna.
(Luis thought it was for catching spiders!)

I'm going to a lot Melbourne International Arts Festival shows this month, so I write about things called the canon (which isn't a glitter canon; glitter canons are far better) and use words like intersectionality, diversity, context, discourse, and immersive experiential theatre that creates community through the unconscious impact of subjective narrative. I also use some swear words, which I know you don't like, when I describe art.

Words to describe you and your super-excellent party are: cool, super-cool, very talented, kind and loving. Love is a very important word, isn't it.

(And immersive experiential theatre that creates community through the unconscious impact of subjective narrative. And in the name of all that's mother-fucking holy, how is there not a Lessons with Luis tv show that will stream all over the world and be seen and loved as much as Nanette?)

I also really like your new song, "Cat Surprise". Not only because it's a good song, but because the lyrics mean a lot to me. I love it when I'm walking down the street and see a surprise cat, especially when the cat wants a pat. I don't have a cat at home any more. This is sad news, but my cat Molly had to go to the rainbow bridge earlier in the year. That means she died. She was just over 19 and a half, which is very very old, so it was time for her to go. (Maybe she has given your mum a surprise visit and they've had a pat together.) I still miss her very much, but she was loved and safe since she was found by my neighbour in a drain as a four-week-old kitten. Loved and safe are very good things. And neighbours who are friends, like Yadna, are also very good things to have in your life.

I know that you and Luelin are giving Yadna a second birthday party – because she deserves two parties – and I hope that lots of people come and bring her presents.

Love from

Anne-Marie

PS. I'm a bit more than 47 and I think Yadna is a little bit older than me, but I won't tell her that.

MICF: Stickin' Together – Lessons with Luis

Stickin' Together
Lessons with Luis
Julz Hays presents
30 March 2019
Melbourne Town Hall – Lunch Room
to 21 April
comedyfestival.com.au
lessonswithluis.com

Luelin, Luis. Lessons With Luis

Luis is my favourite (sorry Hannah). He's polite and would never say a bad word. His hair is neat, he helps his neighbours and he writes songs about cats. And he knows that when you get the right Aussie-outback-coloured jumper from an op shop, you wear it all the time.

This year, he begins his show by telling us how it's good to be kind. Some comedians aren't always kind and make jokes about people. Some people haven't been kind to Luis.

Since winning Raw Comedy and the Golden Gibbo with his family in 2012, Luis has tried different types of comedy at the festival. We've seen game shows, stand-up and educational theatre but it's time that TV really noticed Luis's genius talent. He's been on community telly and likes YouTube (here's his page), but it's time he became really famous. I want to watch him on iView. Maybe TV will see what it's missing this year because Luis has written a live sit com.

Starring Luis, it's set in space where he lives with his little brother, Luelin, and their cat, Catty. Catty pre-recorded their part. That must be because cats aren't allowed to perform at the comedy festival.

The other super-star who pre-recorded their part is Pete – Saaaaaaale of the Century – Smith. I know! TV, see what stars Luis can bring to you.

Things are great in space until they need to get a lot of money very quickly. Luckily there's a dance contest and Luis and Luelin are very good at dancing. And when the plot gets complicated, Luis stops and explains what's going on.

As usual, Luelin is a bit naughty and doesn't let Luis do the good comedy that Luis has practiced. Although Luis, as a big brother, maybe you should encourage Luelin when he learns his own things. After all, he is really very good at dancing.

The relationship between the brothers continues to be poignant, complex and unexpectedly moving, but I look forward to see it changing as the boys grow up.

In the meantime, Luis, Luelin and Catty are still the very best at comedy and I still refuse to consider that they are characters.

PS. No badges this year, but that's OK because I won one in 2015. Although, I am sad for anyone who doesn't have a Luis badge

MICF: Lessons With Luis

Lessons With Luis
30 March 2016
ACMI, Games Room
to 17 April
comedyfestival.com.au

Lessons With Luis

I love Luis so much that I don't want to upset him by acknowledging that he's a character.  

In Lessons With Luis, his first solo show, he tells us that character comedy is pretending to be someone else by wearing a costume.

This year Luis is doing a show all by himself. He's been working hard with the video recorder and the second tv to make a show that's educational and full of lessons to make the world a better place. His wonderful dad, Len, and Catty the cat (oh, Catty...) make appearances on the video cassette so that Luis doesn't feel alone (but his naughty little brother Luelin taped over an important bit).

There are stories, songs, balloons and, if you're good, you'll get a sticker. I stuck mine on my iPad.

This is dead-set genius character comedy that's heart breaking, heart warming and "oh my word" brilliant.

Once you've met Luis, nothing will stop you seeing him again – and wanting to make him a tray of lasagne.

I WON A LUIS BADGE

Lessons With Luis
youtube.com.lessonswithluis

I've wanted a Luis badge for a LONG time, since the first time I saw Lessons With Luis.

I asked for one, but Luis doesn't pander to media requests and the only way I was going to get one was by winning one.

And I did!

Look what arrived in my mail today.

Not only is there a badge, of a happy meerkat with a screwdriver fixing his unicycle, but there's a bonus badge that says "RaD!" (cos I am), a picture of a panther, cat stickers and a signed photo of Luis! #BestDayEver

If you want to win a Luis badge and be as RaD as me, keep an eye on Luis's Facebook page.

I tried to take a photo of my cat Molly with the badge, but cats don't like having their photos taken with meerkats.

MICF: Luis & Luelin, Dave, and Dr Prof Neal

MICF
12 April 2014
Tuxedo Cat

By Myself
Lessons with Luis
to 20 April
comedyfestival.com.au

Dave
Zoe Coombs Marr
to 20 April
comedyfestival.com.au

Dr Professor Neal Portenza Performs his Own Autopsy Live on Stage. One Night Only. (Obviously).
to 20 April
comedyfestival.com.au

One night, one venue, one room. So much easier than trying to Tetris in shows all over town. And every show being shriekingly brilliant didn't hurt; I don't apologise for my over use of "genius".

The Tuxedo Cat in the city has established itself as the venue that welcomes artists who want to experiment far away from the dullness of stand up. Here is where you'll see the work that no one else dares to try; work where artists trust that being their authentic self or finding that character who has been screaming to live is the only way to reach the hearts of your audience.

Luis loves cats. I love Luis. It's that simple.

Inspired by Jerry Seinfield, in By Myself  Luis tries his hand at more funny jokes and stand up. Little brother Luelin is crew and they do an early show so that they can get home on the train.

Being so experienced, Luis knows to mix up the observational humour up with music and story. There are songs from his favourite cassette tape and a story about a dinosaur and a caterpillar (acted out by a plastic dinosaur and a caterpillar puppet that you'd never believe was once a sock), Luis dresses up in a brown-velvet striped fire cat costume he made himself (craft IS art), and we learn a bit more about Luis and Luelin's mum (who isn't with them anymore).

If the success of character comedy lies in believing the characters, then I suspect that my want to make the boys a tray of lasagne and sew up the holes in their jumpers means that it's working. And I'm still a bit sad that I don't have one of Luis's cat badges.

To find the line where it's ok to laugh ourselves sick as a struggling boy cries because his brother doesn't care is as close to genius as it gets. The Lessons with Luis comedy is lame, but to enable us to laugh with and support it's lameness is as sophisticated as serving a Vienetta on a silver platter for dessert.

Next was Dave. He's unshaven, crude and makes pussy jokes that might confuse Luis and Luelin. I'm worried that he'll scare the boys during their show crossover.

Hoping for Footy Show scouts and Wil Anderson to be in the audience of hipsters (can't call them faggots anymore), Dave is used to six-minute spurts at comedy holes and filling an hour isn't as easy as he thought.

Dave is all the-fellas-know-what-I-mean and everything else that makes drunken pub stand up and a few festival shows something to be avoided.

He's also Zoe Coombs Marr, who's best known for her work with Post (feminist performance artists from Sydney). If Dave ever saw a Post show, he'd... I have no idea what he would do because it's beyond his understanding of the world.  This is the guy who's be pretty sure that Amelie is a lesso film because a girl he tried to chat up said it was her favourite.

The genius of Dave is that it's far more than parody. It's easy to make fun of men like this (and there are men like this) but the genius of this work is his winning of the audience's love. Like Luis, Dave finds that line where there's nothing we want more for Dave than for Wil Anderson to see his show, buy him a beer and invite him to support him on the next Wil he or Wil he not? tour.

Next, the room belongs to Dr Professor Neal Portenza and he Performs his Own Autopsy Live on Stage. One Night Only. (Obviously).

The Doc Prof says he's an actor called Josh Ladgrove, but Josh can't get in the way of the Dr Professor's insane magnificence.

Dr Professor Neal likes ultra blue eyeshadow and a red lipstick to match his beret. His rhythmic gymnastics is exquisite (he uses the ribbon), his portraiture worthy of a discussion by Hannah Gadsby and his maths proves that he's a 5-star show. ("5 blinding stars", A-M, SometimesMelbourne".)

The audience play a huge part in the Dr Professor's partly-improvised autopsy and even if you're not chosen as a beautiful princess, there are plenty of opportunities to join in – and even the most hesitant will be clamouring for one of Gary's pool noodles. I can't tell you who Gary is.

This is clowning so original that it'll re-ignite any lost passions for the madcap.

While booking for the wonderful Doc Prof, add a ticket for the truly Divine Come Heckle Christ on 20 April (if there are any left). And yes, it is on Easter Sunday! Jesus is also an actor called Josh Ladgrove. Adelaide got its knickers in a knot without bothering to see the show. I saw it in Melbourne. It's more ask Jesus questions than heckling him and the one person who never looks like a dick is Jesus.

This was on AussieTheatre.com. 

MICF review: Lessons With Luis

Lessons with Luis: Famoucity!
2013 Moosehead Award recipient with the help of the Comedy Channel on Foxtel
4 April 2013
Melbourne Town Hall
to 21 April
comedyfestival.com.au

Dear Luis

Cats are so the best pets and the best animal and they are just the best of everything!

I love cats as much as you do and would love to have one of your cat badges; I’d wear it all the time, especially to opening nights.

I also think that your show is the absolute best thing at the Comedy Festival; it's as good as playing with kittens. 

Famoucity! is as close to purrfect as a show can be, but there’s one thing wrong with it. You say that your cat, Catty, is the best cat. I’m sorry, you're wrong because my cat, Molly, is the best cat. She used to be the second best cat until last year …

This is something I don’t want to tell you, but I’m worried that there’s something you don’t really understand about cats. Your song  “Cats R Forever” is the best song ever written (and I want it as my ring tone), but cats are not for ever. You know how your mum wasn’t for ever? Well cats are like that too.

I found that out last year when my cat, Flue (who WAS the best cat in the world – and I won’t hear anyone say anything different), died. She was very old and got very sick and now I have her ashes in my living room. I’m worried that you really think that cats and especially your lovely Catty (who can be the second best cat in the world) will be with you for ever. Cats can last a long time – much longer than goldfish, long life soy milk or Australian Prime Ministers – but they don’t last as long as most people do. And that’s the only bad thing about cats; that they don’t last as long as we do, and when they die, we cry a lot.

I don't want this to upset you or put you off performing or being famous, but maybe you need to change your song to "Cats last a long time, but they don't last forever" so that it's more realistic.

Love and purrs

Anne-Marie

PS. I really do want a cat badge.

Lessons With Luis: Why didn't someone tell me about these guys when they were at the Fringe last year? 

Never has awkward been so brilliant, and I dare any show to have me grinning so inanely. 

Famoucity! is gloriously atrocious as Luis, his dad, Len, and little brother, Luelin, teach us about making movies, the three acting emotions and just how great cats really are. 

Directed by Justin Hamilton, there's so much more going on than just laughs and eyesore 80s jumpers. With no punchlines (ok, there are two punchlines), no self-reflection and no swearing, this is character comedy so perfect that it's almost not funny. Only almost. 

They don't have many shows left and can only squeeze 80 lucky souls in each night. See these three before they are forced into big rooms.

Other MICF shows, if you want to be as good as Luis, Len and Luelin, you need to sing more songs about cats, write more stories about cats and make cat badges.


Here's a picture of Hannah Norris's excellent badge. I'm so jealous.

A version is also on AussieTheatre.com