Arts & Culture

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 25 June 2022

My partner and I were looking forward to our Friday evening at the Perth International Cabaret Festival – this time we were seeing performer Peter Cumins in his show “There is Nothin’ Like A Dame” at Downstairs at The Maj.

Downstairs at The Maj is a lovely downstairs den – perfect for cabaret shows – with drinks and a light menu available, and small clusters of tables all with a good view of the stage with a nice, cosy, intimate atmosphere.

Peter Cumins' on-stage presence is second to none across multiple fronts. His singing voice leaves you mesmerised and gives you that wonderful feeling of having touched your heart and soul, along with having a very fun and engaging persona between numbers.

This evening we were in for a treat as Peter had selected songs made famous by the dames of musical theatre in Broadway and the West End over the last few decades, including Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Julie Andrews, Gwen Verdon, and Judi Dench.

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 23 June 2022

Sitting around cosy tables on the boards of His Majesty’s with a handy pop up bar behind us, my better half and I eagerly waited for the show to begin, and our eyes were drawn upwards to the domed ceiling admiring the pretty decor of this over 100 year historical building.

Paul Capsis - the “one and only” cabaret queen returns to Perth after 10 years with two special performances at the Perth International Cabaret Festival.

Stepping on stage dressed to the hilt with his foxy purple fur number – glittering sequenced silvery pants and all – we knew we were in for a special night.

With renditions spanning a myriad of famous music artists of the likes of Janice Joplin, the Beatles, Nina Simone, Lou Reed - Capsis’s versatility and vibrancy is a unique one with his strong soulful blues voice which is second to none.

What stood out for myself in being lucky enough to enjoy this memorable evening and special performance is that Capsis gives it his all on stage – he is a musical dynamo!

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 16 February 2022

“Two strangers share a journey through Russia that changes their perspective on life”

The storyline of Perth Festival’s latest movie offering Compartment No. 6 greatly appealed and with our Charlies Pizza order locked in for the evening (which has become something of a tasty tradition!), my partner and I headed to UWA Somerville, along with temporary third family member Greg the Ambassador Dog for Guide Dogs WA.

The plot of Compartment No. 6 revolves around the main character Laura (acted by Seidi Haarla) - a Finnish archaelogy student studying in Russia, who decides to travel via train to Murmansk with her Russian girlfriend to see the petroglyphs (rock paintings). At the last minute her girlfriend has to cancel due to work, and Laura decides to travel on her own.

As the train heads to the Arctic Circle, Laura is forced to share a cramped sleeper compartment with a travelling companion from hell...

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 14 February 2022

Now and again you get a movie that looks just OK in the trailer, but turns out to be so much better when viewed in full. A Stitch in Time by Writer and Director Sasha Hadden is one such movie.

A Stitch in Time doesn't have lots of flashy clips that make for a great two minute trailer, but what it does have is a touching story filled with authentic characters, told exceptionally well.

The story revolves around Liebe (Maggie Blinco), an elderly housewife whose partner Duncan (Glenn Shorrock of Little River Band fame) loses his job singing at the RSL. Duncan is a self-centered and arrogant man, bitter about his lack of success and blaming other people for his failure to find an audience for his music.

In an attempt to raise money to finally record an album, Duncan reconnects with Justin, his old band-mate, and Christine, Justin's wife...

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 03 February 2022

With the glow of the signature Fringe World pink bunny acting as a siren's call, my partner and I eagerly headed to the Girls School to watch the latest show Godz by Head First Acrobats.

The theme for the evening was Ancient Greece as the Gods: Cupid (God of Love), Hercules (God of Strength), Dionysus (God of Wine) and Apollo (God of the Sun, Music and Poetry) graced us with their presence.

The Head First Acrobats cast certainly looked the part of Gods – they are very athletic and fit! Add in their gymnastic mastery, their slapstick humour, and a large dash of naughty sex appeal – these guys are a winning team.

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 29 January 2022

Are humans as a species really superior to fish?

Are fish more intelligent than we ever imagined?

These and many other thought provoking questions are put to the audience in Blue Room Theatre’s latest production “Conversations with a Fish” as part of its Summer Series.

First Nations Director and Writer Helah Milroy puts us through a rigorous philosophical and challenging debate using fishy characters as the medium all the while questioning humanity in all its forms – the quest to seek freedom, addressing gender and equality issues, dealing with power and greed, survival of the fittest, the tyranny of the justice system and the fight for sovereignty rights.

Under the belly of some darkly comedic and very funny laugh out loud moments, Milroy takes us on a once in a lifetime journey to question our positioning on ethical and moral dilemmas...

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 18 January 2022

On a cool summer’s evening, my friend and I headed to UWA Somerville to watch a Perth Festival 2022 movie.

It was the first event we were attending where we had to show our proof of vaccination, but there was only a short queue which moved quickly as we checked in. Thumbs up to the staff at Perth Festival for the smooth process.

The movie for the evening was Limbo – which I had marked as one to watch.

The setting is a remote Scottish Island – the location for a group of male refugees from various countries who are seeking asylum, the main character of which is Omar from Syria.

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Peter Cumins at the Perth International Cabaret Festival

Up Close & Personal - Paul Capsis at Perth Intl Cabaret Fest

Compartment No. 6 at Perth Festival

A Stitch in Time at Luna

Godz by Head First Acrobats at Fringe World Perth

Conversations with a Fish at The Blue Room Theatre

Limbo at Perth Festival