LA STUPENDA: A Joan Sutherland Celebration - Joan Sutherland Theatre -Sydney Opera House

 

Conducted by Speranza Scappucci – Directed by Stuart Maunder AM

Hosted by Laura Tingle – Lighting Design by Alex Lynn

Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House – August 20^th & 22^nd, 2026

Performance on 20^th August reviewed by BILL STEPHENS.

Jessica Pratt in an excerpt from "Lucrezia Borgia"

It was a happy decision for Opera Australia to close its 70th winter season with two gala concerts celebrating Dame Joan Sutherland in the centenary year of her birth. One of opera’s greatest voices, Sutherland inspired generations of Australian singers and remains central to the company’s history.

Equally apt was the choice of Jessica Pratt as principal artist. Internationally acclaimed in the demanding bel canto repertoire that made Sutherland famous, Pratt is regarded as a natural successor. Directed by Stuart Maunder and hosted by ABC presenter Laura Tingle, the program drew thoughtfully on operas closely associated with Sutherland’s career.

Rossini’s sparkling overture to Semiramide recalled Sutherland’s celebrated 1983 performance and introduced conductor Speranza Scappucci in an impressive Opera Australia debut. Her crisp, confident direction drew responsive playing from the orchestra and vital singing from the cast.

Jane Ede -Luke Gabbedy - John Longmuir - Jennifer Black - Sidna Nissen - Jake Lyle in excerpt from "Don Giovanni"

A stirring scene from Mozart’s Don Giovanni opened the vocal program, with John Longmuir, Luke Gabbedy, Shane Lawrencev, Jane Ede, Jennifer Black, Sidra Nissen and Jake Lyle combining effectively. Caitlin Hulcup and Black offered an exquisite Flower Duet from Delibes’ Lakmé, followed by the Ghost Trio from Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, engagingly sung by Ede, David Parkin and Hulcup. The Opera Australia Chorus then brought warmth and serenity to Mozart’s Idomeneo.

Jessica Pratt in excerpt from "Norma"

However, Pratt’s extended appearances in Norma, Lucia di Lammermoor and Lucrezia Borgia made the evening memorable. Mindful of Sutherland’s cherished interpretations, Pratt’s performances were thrilling in their own right. Her dazzling technique dispatched bel canto’s intricacies with apparent ease, while her instinctive theatricality made each scene far more than a vocal display.

For Norma, Pratt swept onstage in black silk lavishly trimmed with gold. Her poised “Casta Diva” contrasted tellingly with Norma’s fury when the young priestess confessed her love for Norma’s unfaithful lover. No less arresting was Pratt’s entrance in a blood-soaked gown for Lucia di Lammermoor, or her anguish as Lucrezia Borgia realised she had poisoned her son.

Jessica Pratt in excerpt from "Lucia di Lammermoor"

Her use of costume, meticulous response to the text and ability to sustain a final pose through tumultuous applause made her riveting. Tenor Kang Wang supported her admirably as Pollione in Norma and Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia. Hulcup was a touching Adalgisa, while Parkin as Raimondo and Dalibor Jenis as Enrico added drama to Lucia di Lammermoor.

Maunder wisely reserved the final word for Sutherland. A montage of her performances accompanied concertmaster Matthieu Arama’s lustrous “Méditation” from Thaïs, before footage of Sutherland’s 1990 Sydney Opera House farewell filled the theatre with her image and unmistakable voice singing “Home Sweet Home”.

It was a moving conclusion to a beautifully judged celebration that honoured an incomparable Australian artist while confirming Pratt as a compelling custodian of the bel canto tradition.

                                                     Photos by Keith Saunders

             This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS Link

 

I LOVE YOU. YOU'RE PERFECT. NOW CHANGE

 

I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change. Music by Jimmy Roberts. Book and Lyrics by Joe Dipietro.

Directed by Janie Lawson. Assistant Director and Choreographer Amy Campbell. Musical Direcor and keyboard. Leo Amadeus. Violin Laura Lay. Set Design Cate Clelland. Concept sSet Design Janie Lawson. Lighting Design Craig Muller. Sound Design James McPherson. Costume Design Louise Newey. Stage Manager and Lighting Operator Liz Phillis. Sound Operator and Mic Technician Logan Steed. Producer Anne Somes. Free Rain Theatre. ACT HUB 19 August- 5 September 2026. Bookings: enquiries@acthub.com.au

Reviewed by Peter Wilkins

 

The cast of I Love You. You're Perfect. Now Change

Director Janie Lawson makes an impressive directorial debut with her Free Rain production of Jimmy Roberts’ and Joe Dipietro’s I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change. Lawson herself is an acclaimed musical theatre performer and she has turned out a treat.  This is an absolutely delightful show, jam packed with hilarious comedy, catchy tunes and familiar insights into the power and fickle frailty of Love over we mere mortals.  

Amelia Andersson-Nickson and Sarah Copley in
I Love You. You're Perfect. Now Change

On entering the ACT HUB theatre I am instantly struck by Janie Lawson’s concept and Cate Clelland’s simple design of a chess board with a variety of identifiable chess pieces spread about the floor. The irony is inescapable; the statement black and white. The female Queen is the most powerful piece upon the board, able to attack or defend at will. The male King is the most defenseless, forced to retreat under attack until cornered and checkmated to end the game.

David Pearson and Sam Thomson in I Love You. You're Perfect. Now Change

Lyricist and writer Joe Dipietro takes an affectionate and slightly satirical swipe at the sexes and their love dilemmas in a series of short vignettes from dating to meeting the parents to sexting, the marriage, gay love, sex in marriage and love in old age. A company Prologue and harmonious Epilogue bring this wild and wonderful journey to an end at which monastic expectation is shed for a new beginning. Composer Jimmy Roberts suits the music to the scene from pop to Country and Western to Hip Hop and Tango all underpinning the singer’s struggle within the situation, all embraced by the full cast cantata to lead you through the stories.

The Wedding Scene from I Love You. You're Perfect. Now Change

Lawson has gathered an excellent cast of six talented performers, each with their moment to shine, solo or in duet. Deborah O’Toole and Amelia Andersson-Nickson bemoan the lack of male prospects in Single Man Drought. Connor McNaught shows a sensitive side to the man in Tear Jerk with Sarah Copley who lends a touch of pathos in her monologue The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz, a cry for help by all divorced single mothers. Sam Thomson lets out the loss of identity in a gay relationship, saddled with the responsibility of raising a child in The Baby Song. It’s a dilemma shared by McNaught and Andersson-Nickson in Marriage Tango  in Sex and the Married Couple. While the younger members of the company reveal the pain of Love through early relationships, marriage and family, DiPietro includes the older couple, played with authentic perception by O’Toole and Pearson. Too many magic moments to mention, this 30 year old Off Broadway musical has stood the test of time with book, lyricS and music that prove thoat Love’s game of chess has not changed. There will be someone in the audience who, like an audience member in 1996 will think, if not cry out “That’s my life.”

David Pearson. Deborah O'Toole, Amelia Andersson-Nickson and Sam 
Thomson in I Love You. You're Perfect. Now Change

It is a pity that from my seat in the front row I could not see Musical Director on keyboard Leo Amadeus and violinist Laura Lay behind a couch. It is to their credit that keyboard and violin were sufficient to accompany the singers and at the same time capture the spirit of Roberts’ music and Dipietro’s lyrics. Off Broadway has come to ACT HUB with a wonderful cast of local performers and this is an opportunity not to miss. Audiences will laugh, Some may shed a tear. All will see a bit of their lives performed by a cast that make every moment shine.

Photos by Janelle McMenamin

Promotional Photography by Andrew Sikorski

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change. Music by Jimmy Roberts. Book and Lyrics by Joe Dipietro.

Directed by Janie Lawson. Assistant Director and Choreographer Amy Campbell. Musical Direcor and keyboard. Leo Amadeus. Violin Laura Lay. Set Design Cate Clelland. Concept sSet Design Janie Lawson. Lighting Design Craig Muller. Sound Design James McPherson. Costume Design Louise Newey. Stage Manager and Lighting Operator Liz Phillis. Sound Operator and Mic Technician Logan Steed. Producer Anne Somes. Free Rain Theatre. ACT HUB 19 August- 5 September 2026. Bookings: enquiries@acthub.com.au

Reviewed by Peter Wilkins

 

Director Janie Lawson makes an impressive directorial debut with her Free Rain production of Jimmy Roberts’ and Joe Dipietro’s I Love You. You’re Perfect. Now Change. Lawson herself is an acclaimed musical theatre performer and she has turned out a treat.  This is an absolutely delightful show, jam packed with hilarious comedy, catchy tunes and familiar insights into the power and fickle frailty of Love over we mere mortals.  

On entering the ACT HUB theatre I am instantly struck by Janie Lawson’s concept and Cate Clelland’s simple design of a chess board with a variety of identifiable chess pieces spread about the floor. The irony is inescapable; the statement black and white. The female Queen is the most powerful piece upon the board, able to attack or defend at will. The male King is the most defenseless, forced to retreat under attack until cornered and checkmated to end the game.

Lyricist and writer Joe Dipietro takes an affectionate and slightly satirical swipe at the sexes and their love dilemmas in a series of short vignettes from dating to meeting the parents to sexting, the marriage, gay love, sex in marriage and love in old age. A company Prologue and harmonious Epilogue bring this wild and wonderful journey to an end at which monastic expectation is shed for a new beginning. Composer Jimmy Roberts suits the music to the scene from pop to Country and Western to Hip Hop and Tango all underpinning the singer’s struggle within the situation, all embraced by the full cast cantata to lead you through the stories.

Lawson has gathered an excellent cast of six talented performers, each with their moment to shine, solo or in duet. Deborah O’Toole and Amelia Andersson-Nickson bemoan the lack of male prospects in Single Man Drought. Connor McNaught shows a sensitive side to the man in Tear Jerk with Sarah Copley who lends a touch of pathos in her monologue The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz, a cry for help by all divorced single mothers. Sam Thomson lets out the loss of identity in a gay relationship, saddled with the responsibility of raising a child in The Baby Song. It’s a dilemma shared by McNaught and Copley in Marriage Tango  in Sex and the Married Couple. While the younger members of the company reveal the pain of Love through early relationships, marriage and family, DiPietro includes the older couple, played with authentic perception by O’Toole and Pearson. Too many magic moments to mention, this 30 year old Off Broadway musical has stood the test of time with book, lyricS and music that prove that Love’s game of chess has not changed. There will be someone in the audience who, like an audience member in 1996 will think, if not cry out “That’s my life.”

It is a pity that from my seat in the front row I could not see Musical Director on keyboard Leo Amadeus and violinist Laura Lay behind a couch. It is to their credit that keyboard and violin were sufficient to accompany the singers and at the same time capture the spirit of Roberts’ music and Dipietro’s lyrics. Off Broadway has come to ACT HUB with a wonderful cast of local performers and this is an opportunity not to miss. Audiences will laugh, Some may shed a tear. All will see a bit of their lives performed by a cast that make every moment shine.

Photos by Janelle McMenamin

Promotional Photography by Andrew Sikorski

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

SAPLINGS - Australian Theatre for Young People

 

Saplings by Hannah Belanszky.  Australian Theatre for Young People at The Q, Queanbeyan, Saturday, 22 August 2026, 2pm & 7:30pm

Reviewed by Frank McKone
August 22, 7:30pm

Creative & Production Team
Yuwaalaray Playwright / Writer: Hannah Belanszky
Kalkadoon Director: Abbie-lee Lewis
Associate Director & Producer: Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Dramaturg: Jane FitzGerald; Co-Set & Costume Designer: Angela Doherty; Co-Set & Lighting Designer: Morgan Moroney
Composer & Sound Designer: Michael Weir; Fight Director: Tim Dashwood

Production Manager: Harry Dowling / Abbey Pace
Stage Manager: Milly Grindrod; Producer: Hayden Tonazzi
Workshop Facilitator: George Kemp

Cast (2026 National Tour):
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Maliyan Blair
Sam Harmon
Danny Howard


Yani wants to go to the Easter Show, Kai wants a sense of home, Shanika wants her Mum back, and Lachlan… well, he just wants his bowl of noodles. But when the justice system is all that stands between these young people and what they want, it raises an important question: how do young people grow when the system keeps cutting them down? This poetic, personal and unexpected production will leave you asking who’s really to blame.
https://www.atyp.com.au/productions/saplings 

Main Youth Characters:
Yani: A young person who simply wants to experience and have fun at the Easter Show.
Lachlan: A teenager out on bail who is hungry and fixated on getting a simple bowl of noodles.
Shanika: A young girl dealing with the pain of missing her mother.
Kai: A character feeling profoundly lost and isolated by the world around them

___________________________________________________________________________________

I must be honest and admit that, at age 85 and needing hearing aids, RAP is not my thing.  Not because of what may be said, but because last night I could understand only an occasional word with everything being so rapidly spoken throughout the play.  

According to ATYP, “Four talented young actors take on multiple roles in this poetic, personal, and unexpected production”, but I can find no record of which actors played which of the four main characters.  I could understand ‘Shanika’ and, I think, ‘Lachlan’, but I think it was Kai, whose loud angry voice until the very last scene, was almost completely incomprehensible to me.

On the other hand, I could see and feel the frustrations of these children, apparently of a dysfunctional family, taking what they saw as opportunities, being jailed for petty thefts without help from self-interested lawyers – until their sister realises she must simply find her own way; while one brother finds symbolic purpose, particularly as a First Nations person, in working for growing native Australian trees and flowers; and finally coming together with his deeply angry brother, forming a sensible brotherhood in that very last scene.

I see the production as an original form, almost of dance-drama – where movement choreography, and sound through voice and recordings, is used to create the characters, and the meaning of the situation is played out in action.

For Canberrans and Queanbeyanites, I am reminded of the Canberra Dance Theatre and the work of Stephanie Burridge in the 1990s, in my feature article for The Canberra Times at https://frankmckone2.blogspot.com/1998/03/1998-feature-article-on-stephanie.html about her show Journey.

Australian Theatre for Young People has a long history of taking an original approach, exemplified once again to our benefit in Saplings.