Zipping by in an incredibly brisk 15 minutes, not a note nor a word is wasted in 21 Chump Street, an astonishing example of economical writing.
Pursued by Bear: 21 Chump Street 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.
The Australian Ballet: Nutcracker – The Story of Clara review
Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker does far more than tell The Story of Clara, celebrating the backstory of vision, passion and talent that formed the bedrock for our modern, 55-years-young company The Australian Ballet.
The Production Company: Hello, Dolly! review
Look at the old girl now, fellas. Mrs Dolly Levi, born Gallagher, is back on the Melbourne stage in a glossy, if somewhat scaled down, production of Golden Age classic Hello, Dolly!.
StageArt: Spring Awakening review
StageArt breaks Melbourne’s 2017 boutique musical drought with an absolute gem that has been well worth the wait.
My Fair Lady review [Melbourne 2017]
One of Melbourne’s all-time favourite musicals, My Fair Lady returns in a sumptuous, sparkling production that meticulously recreates the original Broadway staging.
CLOC Musical Theatre: Les Misérables review
Twenty-four years after presenting the hugely successful Victorian non-professional premiere of Les Misérables, CLOC Musical Theatre and director Chris Bradtke reunite to spend One Day More on the barricade.
Opera Australia: Cavalleria Rusticana – Pagliacci review [Melbourne 2017]
Insightful direction adds layers of dramatic depth to this splendid production of classic opera double bill Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.
Victorian Opera: La Sonnambula review
Proving that lightning can indeed strike the same place twice, Victorian Opera’s concert presentation of La Sonnambula was another unforgettable evening of bel canto brilliance showcasing superstar soprano Jessica Pratt.
Opera Australia: Carmen review [Melbourne 2017]
Emotionally sharp, gorgeously sung and spectacular to behold, Opera Australia’s new Carmen is a production to be treasured.
Kane Alexander – Different Stages: The Broadway Album review
With years of experience on the musical theatre stage, the time is right for Kane Alexander to release his second album, Different Stages: The Broadway Album, a collection of Broadway’s most popular […]
Man in Chair 