Cabaret: Guy/Doll

Created by Nick MacLaine, Andrew Williams and Izaak Lim

Directed by Nick MacLaine and Andrew Williams

Musical director Jangoo Chapkana

Performed by David Bowyer, Julia Jenkins, Corinne Cowling and Will O’Mahony, accompanied by Jangoo Chapkana

Downstairs at the Maj

27 – 30 June, 2012

The team of Nick Maclaine, Andrew Williams and Izaak Lim have become something of a local hit factory.

Their production for last year’s Cabaret Soiree series, the Cole Porter memoir You’ve Got That Thing was a rung or two above most of the entertainments staged during these seasons. Its script had substance, the music was elegantly performed and they wisely brought in the experienced and perceptive Michael Loney to direct.

Loney is not back this time, and the script has been reduced to occasional patter between songs. Guy/Doll suffers badly for both absences.

I wanted to like Guy/Doll much more than I did, and I believe its creators are capable of much better things. Choosing songs because there is a reason, rather than merely an excuse, to do them would be a good place to start.

Link here to the complete review in The West Australian    

Comedy: Parodies Lost

Conceived and written by Nick MacLaine and Andrew Williams

Musical director Tim Cunniffe

Performed by Joshua Brant, Caitlin Cassidy, Izaak Lim and Andrew Williams

Downstairs at the Maj

29 June – 2 July, 2011

Parodies Lost is the brainchild of the same crew whose sell out season of Tomfoolery was one of the highlights of last year’s Downstairs at the Maj season.

I’m not going to reprise the accolades that show got in this paper, whose reviewer joined in the encore “because laughing for 90 minutes is not a feeling you want to end”, but there’s no denying this fresh-faced ensemble had another packed room eating out of their hands.

Parody is the parrot that perches on the shoulder of satire demanding crackers, and that’s the difference between the pointed originality of a Tom Lehrer and the more superficial amusement of this show.

Link here for the complete review in The West Australian.