Arriving in Melbourne in killer form, the new concert staging of Sweeney Todd lives up to the tantalising promise of starry leads Anthony Warlow and Gina Riley.
Sweeney Todd review [Melbourne]
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.
The Australian Ballet: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland review [Melbourne 2019]
The Australian Ballet heads straight back down the rabbit hole, returning award-winning 2017 hit Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to the Melbourne stage for a very welcome encore season.
Opera Australia: Il Viaggio a Reims review [Melbourne 2019]
Delightfully daffy and sumptuously sung, Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims is the equivalent of a rich operatic dessert: featherlight layers of delectable pleasure with many a sweet hidden treat.
The Production Company: Lazarus review
A fringe show juxtaposed into a mainstream season, Lazarus trades the safe for the surreal, presenting David Bowie’s cherished music in a decidedly enigmatic experience.
CLOC Musical Theatre: Kinky Boots review
Benefitting from CLOC Musical Theatre’s traditionally boffo level of spectacle, the heart and sole soul of Kinky Boots lights up the Melbourne stage once more.
Opera Australia: Così fan tutte review [Melbourne 2019]
Intelligently conceived and handsomely staged, Sir David McVicar’s production of Così fan tutte matches elegance and wit with the simple pleasure of Mozart’s heavenly music.
Opera Australia: Rigoletto review [Melbourne 2019]
Verdi’s richly melodious tragedy glistens again as Opera Australia returns its much loved Moshinsky staging of Rigoletto to the Melbourne stage.
Melbourne Theatre Company: Così review
Much loved, oft-produced Australian comedy Così is treated to a rather lavish revival in this co-production from Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company.
Barnum review [Melbourne 2019]
An all too rare independent musical theatre production, the new Australian staging of Barnum sees Todd McKenney embrace the chance to play iconic huckster P. T. Barnum.
Opera Australia: West Side Story review [Melbourne 2019]
Opera Australia complements their dazzling new outdoor production of West Side Story in Sydney with the return of this traditional staging to Melbourne, differentiating the casting by showcasing a new generation of fresh […]
