The noble intention of Melbourne Theatre Company’s celebration of 50 years of David Williamson plays misfires with a bland revival of 1987 hit Emerald City, a play that proves more tepid talkfest […]
Melbourne Theatre Company: Emerald City review
Simon Parris
I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past forty years. Favourite roles include Eugene Fodor and Junior in (separate productions of) Crazy for You, Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les Miserables.
I have directed several school productions. I choreographed Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.
At my next school, I was Head of Productions, overseeing up to a dozen productions each year and directing another seven musicals, including The Music Man, Brigadoon and How To Succeed in Business Without really Trying.
I reviewed music theatre and opera for Theatre People and the Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne). I served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for five years as Treasurer and was on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in a 2012 trip to New York, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier the same year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
Victorian Opera: Salome review
Victorian Opera begins 2020 in absolute peak form, presenting Richard Strauss’ Salome on a grand scale.
Billy Elliot the Musical review
Inspiring, amusing and genuinely moving, the revival tour of Billy Elliot the Musical arrives in Melbourne with an exceptional cast in peak form.
Shrek the Musical review [Melbourne]
A joyful tonic, Shrek the Musical underpins glossy spectacle with endearing heart, delighting the audience with sassy humour and quirky characters.
Melbourne Theatre Company: Torch the Place review
Deftly blending uproarious humour with affecting pathos, Benjamin Law’s Torch the Place is a triumph. Having supported the writing of Law’s first play through their visionary NEXT STAGE program, Melbourne Theatre Company […]
Melbourne Opera: Fidelio review
Melbourne Opera adds to the celebrations of Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a splendidly sung revival of their 2013 staging of Fidelio.
Melbourne Theatre Company: Home, I’m Darling review
Melbourne Theatre Company welcomes the new decade with an Australian premiere that is as lavishly produced as it is splendidly performed. If only Home, I’m Darling had something more substantial to say.
Gertrude Opera: As One review
Gertrude Opera heralds the new decade with the modern American opera As One, a heartfelt work as timely as it is elegiac.
Opera and Ballet Year in Review 2019
Melbourne continues to enjoy a well-balanced opera program of large and smaller scale productions featuring a wide array of local and international artists.
Musical Theatre Year in Review 2019
Even with two of its main theatres not available for musicals, Melbourne still enjoyed a healthy musical theatre scene in 2019.
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