Sterling musicianship, high production values and a quirky, highly talented cast bring out the compelling lustre in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s “dark operetta” Sweeney Todd.
Victorian Opera: Sweeney Todd 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.
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World-class singers enhance this decadently glossy production.
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Melbourne Opera: The Barber of Seville review [2015]
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The Australian Ballet: Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella review #2 [2015]
A second opportunity arose to see Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella, a visit made all the sweeter by the surprise appearance of Madeleine Eastoe in the title role.
Helpmann Nominations 2015 Announced
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Grey’s Lobotomy review
Meredith Willson may have written the book, music and lyrics for The Music Man, but Xavier Brouwer takes this feat three steps further by also acting as director, music director and producer […]
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