Youthful energy and intelligent direction burn brightly in this exhilarating new production of evergreen modern classic Rent.
Rent review [Melbourne 2018]
Simon Parris
I have appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty-three 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 for St Michael’s Grammar School, then went on to direct Hot Mikado and the Australian premiere of 13 for St Michael’s. I have since gone on to direct/choreograph The Music Man Jr and Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr for St Michael's.
I review 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 I am currently on the Board of The Opera Studio Melbourne.
I am a keen audience member, having seen 58 shows in six weeks in New York this year, as well as 57 shows during 6 weeks in London/Europe earlier this year.
I hope you enjoy reading the news and reviews at Simon Parris: Man in Chair. I would love to hear your thoughts on the shows covered here so please feel free to leave your comments.
Melbourne Theatre Company: Twelfth Night review
Gorgeous design, cunning direction and a dreamy cast combine for the pure pleasure of Twelfth Night, an early Christmas present from Melbourne Theatre Company.
Opera Australia: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg review
The sterling result of the determined and loving labours of countless talents, Opera Australia’s Melbourne presentation of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is a shimmering musical and visual treat, with added interest coming […]
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Diaries 2018 review
On an ordinary Sunday, Melbourne theatregoers were treated to the extraordinary talent Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin.
School of Rock the Musical review [Melbourne]
It’s Melbourne’s turn to climb to the top of Mount Rock, as feel good phenomenon School of Rock makes it’s blistering Australian debut.
Opera Australia: La Bohème review [Melbourne 2018]
Melbourne has been so spoilt with new and rare operas over the past couple of years that the appearance of a true chocolate box favourite is a welcome novelty. In its third […]
Victorian Opera: Lorelei review
Finishing the year on a high, Victorian Opera rewards its patrons with Lorelei, a splendidly cast, beautifully realised new work.
Melbourne Theatre Company: Astroman review
Brimming with warmth and heart, world premiere play Astroman takes audiences back to the 1980s in an all too rare familial focus on First Peoples of Australia.
The Production Company: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder review
Completing their ever-grander twentieth season, The Production Company serves up a delectable slice of musical theatre heaven with the merrily macabre A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
Opera Australia: Metamorphosis review
Opera Australia defies traditional expectations, breaking the mould with an edgy, independent-style staging of Australian opera Metamorphosis.
