Arts & Culture

Details: Written by: Lee-Ann Khoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 16 October 2022

I have a somewhat complicated relationship with Australian rules football.

I was obsessed with footy during my teens and early 20s. I spent many a weekend at mud soaked WAFL grounds, running on during the quarter time and three-quarter time huddles to listen to the coaches, and yelling incomprehensible encouragement (I think) until my throat hurt. As time went by, I developed other interests, became a more rounded person (I hope) and started to realise that there were people dear to me who probably wouldn’t be safe at a footy club.

Which brings me to Barracking for the Umpire.

Early on, we’re introduced to AFL player Ben (played by Ian Wilkes) and his teammate Eckhart (Joel Jackson) in an over-the-top cacophony of blokeyness. We soon find out they are secretly in a romantic relationship with each other – something Ben is not keen for the world to know. Footy has always been his safe space… and coming out could well ruin that for him.

Details: Written by: Lee-Ann Khoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 26 August 2022

The chilly night air seems a world away as we enter Burt Memorial Hall and take a seat around the edges of a stage, like hungry spectators at a boxing match.

In Joe Penhall’s award-winning play Blue/Orange, we meet Christopher (played by Tinashe Mangwana) – a young black man who’s spent the last 28 days in a psychiatric hospital in London. He’s supposed to be getting out tomorrow, but trainee psychiatrist Bruce (Jarryd Dobson) doesn’t think he’s ready. After all, Christopher thinks oranges are blue and that his father is Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

On the other hand, senior consultant Robert (Andrew Lewis) – the ultimate bureaucrat – is keen for Christopher to return to his community, wherever that may be. They don’t have enough beds, and besides, what if Bruce is just applying a white lens to Christopher’s behaviour and calling it schizophrenia?

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 05 August 2022

Coming in to the warmth of His Majesty's Theatre after the biting cold of a wet and wintry Wednesday night in Perth, my partner and I were looking forward to thawing out while watching an American classic performed by the always professional Black Swan State Theatre Company cast and crew.

Having only a passing familiarity with Tennessee Williams' work (I've watched Newman and Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the Black Swan State Theatre Company production of A Streetcar Named Desire), I didn't know anything about The Glass Menagerie other than the fact that it was set in the American 1930's.

Coming in cold(!) to a play does allow you to settle down and enjoy the production as a fresh new experience, without any preconceived ideas or expectations, at the risk of not knowing what is going on for a while. Fortunately The Glass Menagerie is easy to follow

Details: Written by: Lee-Ann Khoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 19 July 2022

Well, that was different.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I went to see WALK – and as it was happening, I wasn’t quite sure what I was watching.

It was certainly captivating – I couldn’t look away and had the sense that I was seeing something incredibly profound, even if I didn’t fully understand it. Maybe that’s the point. After all, this isn’t my story – it’s Bobby’s.

WALK is the brainchild of Bobby Russell – an intimate journey through their mind that began as we entered the dark theatre through a sweet-smelling corridor with gorgeous clouds directly above us. From there, my night vision and light sensitivity were tested in a bewitching performance that combined theatre, interpretive dance, fine art and intense flashes of light.

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 05 July 2022

“...inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.” - Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures.

Milann Rousseau (Kev Adams) is a twenty-something orphan who can't get his life together. Aimless, behind in his rent, owing money to loan sharks, and unable to hold down a job, he is dependent on his best friend for a place to stay.

Milann's life takes a steep downward turn after a temper tantrum in his latest short-lived job, when he is sentenced to 300 hours of community service in a retirement village for injuring a senior citizen. He is only allowed three warnings for workplace infractions before being sent to prison instead. Can the self-centred and irresponsible man-child survive 3 months of his worst nightmare, being a dogsbody for old people?

Worse still, the residents at the retirement home don't take to Milann and his bad attitude, and their secret committee decides to teach him a lesson or two. The home's director (Antoine Duléry) and head of security (Ludovic Berthillot) don't like him either, and only want him there for the government funding. And the loan shark wants his money back now, resulting in Milann being kicked out of his wrecked apartment by his fed up friend (Oussama Kheddam).

At rock bottom in life, Milann is forced to take desperate measures to survive.

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!

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Barracking for the Umpire by Black Swan State Theatre Co

Blue Orange by Theatre 180

The Glass Menagerie by Black Swan State Theatre Company

WALK at The Blue Room Theatre

The Villa - Maison de retraite - at Luna

Peter Cumins at the Perth International Cabaret Festival

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