Perth Walkabout - The Insider's Guide to Perth Western Australia

The Chaperone at Luna

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Published: 23 April 2019

After a bracing walk through the suburb of Nedlands, my partner and I finished up at the Windsor Theatre, which was hosting a preview of Downton Abbey screenwriter Julian Fellowes' latest work – The Chaperone.

As Downton Abbey fans, we were looking forward to something a little different but just as enjoyable, and The Chaperone lives up to that promise.

The story is set in prohibition era America, circa 1922, and the action begins in the backwater of Wichita, Kansas, in Midwestern USA. The main opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, introducing us to most of the main characters, and hinting at some of the tensions and secrets buried beneath the facade of genteel society.

You Know We Belong Together by Black Swan State Theatre Co

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Published: 22 March 2019

Black-Swan-Julia-Hales-You-Know-We-Belong-Together

You Know We Belong Together is a live documentary about people looking to find love, fulfil their dreams and find acceptance in today's society – a fairly typical theme.

What is not so routine is that lead artist and co-creator Julia Hales and her cast all bring a little something extra to the stage – a third copy of chromosome 21.

You Know We Belong Together is a live documentary about people with Down syndrome and their hopes, dreams, loves, families and friends – and a passion for Home and Away!

Dogman at Perth Festival

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 19 March 2019

What happens when a timid dog groomer faces off with a small time hood bully?

That is the theme of Dogman currently showing as part of the Perth Festival.

It was a hot autumn's night as we settled into our deck chairs at UWA Somerville to watch the film.

In a run-down Italian seaside town, we watched the story unfold as small time thug Simone (Edoardo Pesce) bullies timid dog groomer and petty criminal Marcello (Marcello Fonte).

The film producer Matteo Garrone does an excellent job at painting the unrelenting bleakness and challenges faced by the main characters.

Non-Fiction at Perth Festival

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Published: 20 February 2019

After settling into our seats at the UWA Somerville theatre on a mellow Monday night, my partner and I were looking forward to checking out the French movie Non-Fiction, by director Olivier Assayas.

The advertising blurb for Non-Fiction stated “This droll, very contemporary drama probes literature, relationships, art and online culture... Over a series of meetings and sparkling, rapid-fire conversations Alain, Selena and Léonard reveal that their professional and personal affairs are connected in surprising ways.”

While not wishing to give away the plot, the film revolves largely around book publisher Alain and his TV actress wife Selena, who are friends with writer Léonard.

A Migrant's Son at Fringe Perth

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 14 February 2019

As my partner and I waited outside Cathedral Square on St George’s Terrace, we were greeted by large droplets of cooling summer rain whilst enjoying the multi-coloured aura of the City of Perth Council House building.

We were here to watch our last show of Fringe Perth for the year – the cabaret A Migrant’s Son.

Winner of the 2015 International Cabaret Contest and co-writer and star of the stage show Exposing Edith (on the life and times of Edith Piaf), Michaela Burger appeared on stage brimming with energy.

Throughout the course of the evening, she entertained us with stories about her family as new migrants to Australia from Greece.

Our Town by Black Swan State Theatre Company

Details: Written by: Lee-Ann Khoh; Published: 11 February 2019

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town is a play that knows it’s a play. And Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play knows it’s being performed in Australia in 2019, not the United States in 1938 (where it made its debut).

Our Town is set in the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire in the early 20th century. The first act takes place in 1901 and introduces us to various townsfolk, including the neighbouring Gibbs and Webb families. The second act jumps forward three years, where George Gibbs and Emily Webb, who have recently finished high school, are getting married. The third act, set nine years after the second, focuses on Emily after she dies giving birth to her and George’s second child.

But as I mentioned earlier, Our Town knows it’s not really in New Hampshire.

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The Chaperone at Luna

You Know We Belong Together by Black Swan State Theatre Co

Dogman at Perth Festival

Non-Fiction at Perth Festival

A Migrant's Son at Fringe Perth

Our Town by Black Swan State Theatre Company