A superb company of singers and a gleaming black and white staging bring an air of polished perfection to this Melbourne season of rarely-seem Verdi opera Luisa Miller.
Opera Australia: Luisa Miller review [Melbourne 2016]
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.
Singin’ in the Rain [Melbourne 2016]
We may not have needed another revival of Singin’ in the Rain, but slick, glossy, intelligent productions of this scale are always a welcome sight.
Heathers the Musical review [Melbourne 2016]
A bevy of young and exciting talents whip the crowd into a frenzy in the welcome Melbourne premiere season of Heathers the Musical.
Dogfight review [Melbourne]
While the majority of commercial producers churn out safe revivals, the presentation of a challenging Victorian premiere falls, once again, to the independent theatre sector. Geelong-based company Doorstep Arts have taken the […]
Opera Australia: The Pearlfishers review [Melbourne]
Bizet’s charming score has made The Pearlfishers a bit of an Australian favourite, but even the carefully considered direction of Michael Gow is not quite enough to sharpen the ill-conceived concept and […]
CLOC Musical Theatre: Wicked review
Reigning masters of the non-professional premiere, CLOC Musical Theatre again works their magic, presenting a slick, spectacular, highly engaging production of über-hit Wicked.
Anna O’Byrne: Dream album review
Talented singing actress Anna O’Byrne dazzles with the range and beauty of her crystalline soprano in her debut album Dream, an eclectic collection of gorgeous songs from movies.
Little Shop of Horrors review [Melbourne 2016]
The cult musical with the addictive mainstream score, Little Shop of Horrors is given as ingenious and well cast a production as fans could possibly to hope to see.
Opera Australia: La Bohème review [Melbourne 2016]
Evergreen world favourite La Bohème is always a popular choice, and when enhanced by the performances of such glorious singers it is easy to appreciate its enduring appeal.
Tick, Tick… Boom! review
The incredible lead performance from Luigi Lucente is just one reason to catch Pursued by Bear’s all too brief season of tick, tick…Boom!.
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