Victorian Opera caps off another eclectic year with this well matched pair of chamber operas. The chaos and disarray which conclude Manuel de Falla’s Master Peter’s Puppet Show create a canvas of […]
Master Peter’s Puppet Show & What Next? 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.
South Pacific review
Brimming with topical relevance and romantic poignancy, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s dramatic masterpiece South Pacific is back on stage in Australia, in a celebrated and highly awarded staging.
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Having held a mirror to Australian society for more than 50 years, master comic performer Barry Humphries shows no signs of slowing down in this “farewell” tour. There is even a brand […]
Cosi Fan Tutte review
Melbourne Opera has built up a stable of talented, entertaining singers, so what better opera than Cosi Fan Tutte, with no less than six major roles, to show off the skills of […]
Queen Lear review
A powerful woman comes to favour her youngest daughter – sound familiar? Even when scheduling this bold adaptation a year ago, MTC could not have foreseen how timely and relevant the concept […]
The Producers review
The Production Company has set a very high standard for their 2012 presentations, gathering a sensational cast for the deliriously funny musical comedy The Producers.
Sondheim to Australia for Rush in Forum
Melbourne musical theatre’s “best kept secret” was officially revealed today when prolific producer John Frost announced his upcoming revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum.
Moonshadow review
After one of the most inscrutable marketing campaigns in recent memory, the veil is finally lifted on brand new musical Moonshadow.
Annie review [Melbourne]
Ever-loveable orphan Annie has made her way back to musical-loving Melbourne after a two-town tryout up north.
Wagner’s Dream Comes True
When New York’s Metropolitan Opera decided to stage a new production of Wagner’s epic Ring cycle, their first in over 20 years, Director Susan Froemke was there to capture every twist and […]
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