One Of These Things First review | Hot Lunch | Kensington Town Hall

As children, many of us had career aspirations that were ultimately abandoned. What if we had gone to medical school and become a doctor, or practised the guitar and become a famous musician, or actually become a billionaire? In One Of These Things First, Hot Lunch make their dream vocations a reality by acting out every single one of them in a fast-paced, 60-minute show that packs as much of a reality-check punch to the gut as it does laughter.

Delta Brooks, Rebekah Carton and Tom Richards are the co-creative directors of Hot Lunch, and this group is an absolute joy to watch. They possess incredible complementary energies, an enthusiastic focus on making each other look good and an uncanny skill in delivering a clear artistic vision even when it seems like they've thrown everything into the bowl. A considerable amount of care has gone into the devising and literal creation of this show, and because of this, they can be fully committed to the wackiness while retaining a strong sense of authenticity.

TANTRUM for 6 review | Northcote Town Hall

In Harrison Ritchie-Jones' TANTRUM for 6, six babies are born from a thunderstorm, with a natural ability to dance together. They begin to explore themselves, each other and this brand-new world leading to enthralling contemporary choreography and performances that investigate what it means to be human, particularly when it all gets a little bit too overwhelming.



The ensemble (Anika Deruyter, Rebecca Jensen, Georgia Rudd, Oliver Savariego, Michaela Tancheff, and Ritchie-Jones) is completely in sync with each other with their movements built on skill and trust. When they move their body a certain way or drop to the floor, everyone else is in the right spot to catch, push or rotate them into the next arrangement of this mesmerising chain reaction. As these babies become more familiar with their new forms and how they function, the choreography too, becomes more complex as they rely on one another even further with some striking pair work.

Tender review | Gasworks Arts Park

Presented by an all-queer cast, Cirque X's Tender looks at what it means to be tender through circus, acrobatics, and musical and dance numbers. The word itself conjures up different definitions and ideas, and in this production, the acts offer unique perspectives and explorations of what tender can be via various lenses such as relationships, sex, sexuality and desire.

The opening teaser by J Twist and Chris Barnett is hands down one of the most seductive and tantalising experiences I've ever had in the performing arts. The pair appear either side of a cube structure and stare defiantly out to the audience. They are "outside the box" and challenging us to join them on this adventure of discovery. They exude sexuality and sensuality as they gradually begin to remove their clothes which climaxes with a surprising reveal that sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

Labyrinth review | Abbotsford Convent

For their latest offering, Forest Collective takes its audience into the labyrinthian myth of Theseus and Ariadne and their battle with the Minotaur, Ariadne’s half-brother. Set in the large and winding spaces within Abbotsford Convent, this opera / physical theatre performance of Labyrinth leads us into the maze alongside Theseus as he edges his way to the confrontation with the beast that has the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man.

Artistic Director of Forest Collective Evan J. Lawson serves as composer, music director and sound designer for this production and the touches he has put to these define and embolden the vision of this show. Alongside librettist Daniel Szesiong Todd, this is a captivating story that is told at a pace that allows you to be drawn deeper and deeper into this world.

Liza’s Good Judy review | The Motley Bauhaus

Legendary mother-and-daughter duo Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli reunite for an evening of storytelling and musical delights. Performed by Manda Rozen-Flannery as both celebrities, cabaret show Liza’s Good Judy explores the challenges and hardships experienced by them and the strong bond that existed between them.
 
Aesthetically, Rozen-Flannery captures Minnelli with her hair and outfits but further differentiation is needed during her scenes as Garland. The dialogue generally confirms who is speaking, but having distinction in mannerisms or physical appearance for each would benefit the show immensely.