While Matt Hetherington delivers a winning performance in the starring role of this eagerly anticipated production, the show itself and several creative aspects are somewhat below standard.
Promises, Promises review
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.
Sneak Peek: Promises, Promises
Promises, Promises opens tonight at Melbourne’s State Theatre. Matt Hetherington stars as rising young executive Chuck Baxter
Fat Swan review
Poor “little” Natalie Portly. All she wants is to play the coveted dual role of White Pig and Black Pig in Swine Lake but her monstrous mother, coldhearted choreographer and cunning co-star […]
Barassi: The Stage Show review
Distinctly Melbourne in flavour, the affection, scope and gentle cheek of Barassi The Stage Show combine for an enjoyable, even inspirational, trip down memory lane. Author Tee O’Neill has crafted a pacy, […]
The Australian Ballet: Swan Lake review
Artistic Director David McAllister’s vision to mount a new-yet-traditional staging of perennial favourite Swan Lake has been lovingly and expertly realised in this wondrous production that puts the focus squarely on the […]
South Pacific review [Melbourne]
Fresh from its record-breaking Sydney season, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific has landed in Melbourne in glorious shape. Tight, humorous, energetic and rapturously melodious, this artistic triumph is brimming with life, romance […]
Marina Prior – Both Sides Now cd review
You’ve heard these songs before, but never sung as beautifully as this. Marina Prior, leading lady of the Australian musical stage, has veered away from the music theatre catalogue of her previous […]
The Mousetrap review [Melbourne]
I remember when growing up, before the era of mega musicals Cats, Phantom and Les Miz, a standard question to someone returning from London was “Did you see The Mousetrap?” To have […]
The Australian Ballet: Icons review
The Australian Ballet bathes audiences in the warm and cosy glow of nostalgia in this guided trip down memory lane. The posters, costumes and sets on display in the foyers of the […]
Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina review
Visiting Russian company Eifman Ballet present a highly theatrical hybrid of modern and classical dance in this unique and entertaining production.
