To some, the world of theatre begins and ends with nightmares of being dragged by grand-ma to see some camp and lifeless over the top piece of melodrama; to others flicking between television channels has led to a fat old man singing music that is as difficult to understand as the foreign language it is being sung in. Sometimes it can be quite daunting to try and find a genre that compliments you, like understanding how to dress in a new style or appreciate a new style of food.
If you've not been to the theatre for a while, perhaps not at all - these productions will change what you believe the theatre is capable of, how it speaks to you, what it means. These aren't necessarily baby steps or easy things to watch but (hopefully) all productions that will overwhelm and inspire. I'm confident that they will.
Un Ballo in Maschera (Opera Australia)
You've seen "Phantom of the Opera" right? That's not opera. Not even close. This coproduction between Opera Australia, Sydney Festival and Spain's La Fura dels Baus looks set to bring a style unseen before on Australian stages. Known for epic use of digital imagery, cirque style human sculpture and liberal splashes of science fiction (their current production of Puccini's Turandot is recreated in a futuristic world fully under Chinese rule), La Fura is proof opera is not stale & due to its malleability & reliance on constant reinvention, the theatre as an art form will never die. A Masked Ball is Giuseppe Verdi's retelling of the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masquerade party. Politics, love, tragedy. I expect to see a lot more from La Fura dels Baus in the coming years.
War Horse (National Theatre of Great Britain & Global Creatures)
Please don't talk to me about Spielberg, just don't. If you were disappointed by the film "War Horse", let the National Theatre of Great Britain teach you about metaphor, beauty, honesty. With indescribably detailed puppetry from Handspring Puppet Company that speaks the language of the heart; the story of the horse Joey and his best friend Albert is simple in telling, exceptional in execution and breathtaking in design. This is World War I from the perspective of an animal that does not speak but he does live and breath and will remain in your mind for a long time after exiting the auditorium doors.
A Clockwork Orange (Soho Theatre UK)
Single-sex casting certainly isn't new. In fact, men have been portraying women on stage far longer than women have been. This production based on Anthony Burgess' novel rather then the Stanley Kubrick film discusses masculinity, violence, disaffected youth. A Clockwork Orange will not be easy to watch, should spark some pretty decent post show chatter but ultimately explores a much darker world than most perceive theatre to have the ability to explore.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Sydney Symphony)
Interestingly, composer Alex North created a score for Kubrick's film that was replaced with the classical pieces that we now know to be an imperative part of this film's experience. There is something extraordinary about the power of a live orchestra that can never be truly understood with out experiencing it for oneself. Cinefiles will undoubtedly be familiar enough with these pieces to enjoy and appreciate them without the film even playing, though in this case it will be. Sydney Festival gets it right again, it seems.
Briefs (Sydney Festival)
After years in the underground, the great traditions of variety, cabaret and burlesque are experiencing somewhat of a resurrection, for good reason. In what I think is a response to overblown budgets (both film & theatre), overhyped performances & necessity to behave in public- these art forms are once again giving us the opportunity to get a little tipsy, loud and a lot fabulous. This intimate show by an all male troupe has travelled the world and beyond a doubt will show you a good time; they are sexy, talented and hilarious. Just go, drink bubbles and leave the world behind.
Semele Walk (Sydney Festival)
Presented as part of Sydney Festival, this is the story of the mortal Semele, engaged to the Prince of Boetia but in love with the god Jupiter. A piece that explores love & mortality in a runway style with costumes by Vivienne Westwood. This is Vogue meets Handel. First performed at Herrenhausen Festival in Hanover this concept seems a lot of fun.
King Kong (Global Creatures)
Brought to us by the creators of "Walking with Dinosaurs" and "How to Train Your Dragon" arena spectaculars, this is the most ambitious live theatrical event to be born on Aussie soil. Exclusive to Melbourne, Global Creatures' move to a proscenium style (rather than an arena) affirms their growing commitment to reach out to more adult audiences (Global Creatures are also producing War Horse and Strictly Ballroom) and could see this production syndicated in a number of cities across the globe in the next will be brought to life by a team of ten puppeteers using various styles of the art form as well as some of the most advanced technology used in live performance.
