The King And I; musical theatre review

Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I' is an adaptation of Margaret Langdon's novel 'Anna and the King of Siam', and is a unique musical where there is no love/romance between the two leading characters, ending with the death of a hero.

It tells the story of Anna Leonowens, an English widow, employed by the King of Siam to tutor his children and many wives. With her son Louis in tow, Anna arrives at the Royal Palace in Bangkok to discover the King has not kept his promise of providing her with a separate house away from the Palace. She is witness to the arival of the King's latest 'gift' of a new wife named Tuptim and is overwhelmed by the number of children she is to tutor. Anna and the King clash on various issues but find some common ground when she resolves one of the King's political dilemmas. Gradually, they develop an understanding and respect beyond cultural and social boundaries. Their attachment to each other is of mutual respect rather than love. The sub-plot provides the romantic element of the musical, with Tuptim falling in love with Lun Tha, a Burmese emissary, and together they attempt to elope but are caught and killed under the King's orders.

Siam Surprise by Linh

The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA has enlivened 'The King and I' and under the direction of Hermonn, presents a production featuring gorgeous melodies with affable characters in exquisite Eastern silks and European gowns.

Talented music and drama teacher, Trish Spence shows flair in her portrayal of the unflappable Anna Leonowens and shines in her scenes with the children. Trish's lovely voice possesses tonal warmth as she reminisces in Hello,Young Lovers, she conveys good English humour in Getting To Know You and swirls gracefully to the joyous Shall We Dance?. Her highlight song Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You? shows her ranting and raging in stark contrast to her usual calmness.

Always the willing participant in theatre, Barbara Henshaw's performance skills in various plays and musicals have been enjoyed by many. Her characterisation of the King's head wife, Lady Thiang is played to great effect. Barbara gives Lady Thiang some vocal light and shade as she sings with the other wives in Western People Funny and as the well composed and wise woman in the King's Palace whose understanding of the King's stubborn nature is conveyed in the stirring Something Wonderful .

Young and aspiring performer, Emily Schwab plays the King's 'gift' and new wife Tuptim with such sweetness and sorrow, it's difficult not to feel moved by her predicament. She sang beautifully with Gordon Combes' Lun Tha for We Kiss In A Shadow, and again with Greg in I Have Dreamed.

Multi-talented allrounder Greg Hart is the stand out performer as the overbearing, temperamental King of Siam. Greg exudes the childishness of a spoilt heir yet displays an endearing charm behind his awe-inspiring exterior. Greg carried the King's majestic and imposing character with aplomb, while providing humourous moments in A Puzzlement and Song Of The King.

The chorus of wives and children gave brilliant support to the leads and their presence was a constant reminder of the King's influence and absolute power in a country ready to connect with the West.

Praise goes to the costume co-ordinators Leonie Osborn and Kerry O'Donohue, especially to costume makers Hermonn, Cathy Maxwell and Jill Dall for the gorgeous silk dresses featuring intricate designs and every colour of the rainbow. Choreographer Carmel Vistoli performed wonders, making the dance sequences beguiling and mesmerising.

'The King And I' is an enduring and entertaining musical with an underlying message of globalisation and womens' issues. Rodgers and Hammerstein has created a story with a dignified and lavish picture of the East, without the cliches connected with identifying the Orient as seen in most musicals.

The Importance of Being Earnest - theatre review

The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild presents one of Oscar Wilde's witty, charming and complex social plays, with a talented cast.

The plot grows complex yet is enjoyable and culminates in further frustrations for a fitting finale.

The plot follows Jack who resides in the country yet calls himself Earnest while in the city and his friend from the city, Algernon, creates an invalid friend whom he uses as an excuse to avoid tiresome social obligations. Jack loves Gwendolyn who is Algernon's cousin and Algernon loves Jack's young ward, Cecily. Complications arise as both men pose as Earnest in order to marry their beloved.

Wilde About Earnest by Linh

The Importance of Being Earnest requires brilliant comic timing, masterful diction and a skilled interpretation to accurately convey Wilde's satirical social comedy of deception, love and identity.

Under the direction of June Barnes and Ann Weaver (making her directorial debut), The Importance of Being Earnest manages to combine all of the above to revive a favourite for regular theatre-goers while introducing a sparkling production to a new generation.

The ensemble cast is adept and comfortable in their roles giving impeccable performances throughout, with a few cast members working with the Theatre Guild for the first time.

Experienced stage actress Pam O'Grady makes her first appearance with the Theatre Guild as the irrepressible Lady Bracknell whose over-exaggerated aristocratic flair is played to the hilt. O'Grady gives Lady Bracknell the right amount of self-importance and snobbery all too prevalent in the aristocracy of the times and works her charms on the unsuspecting Jack Worthing.

Self confessed slave to theatre, David Thring, gives the gawkish yet affable Jack Worthing some spark and charm as the country boy who discovers his true identity while in pursuit of his beloved Gwendolyn. David's clarity in diction and nuances of expression superbly colours his character's foppishness.

Versatile performer Marieka Hambledon makes her Theatre Guild debut as the Victorian debutante Gwendolyn. Marieka brings out the headstrong vixen in Gwendolyn during scenes with Lady Bracknell and displays classy cattiness in her tea and insults scene with Cecily. Her clear diction, accent and hilarious hoity toity mannerisms makes Marieka a fine Gwendolyn and favourite among the audience.

Thrusting himself back onto the boards is Andrew Lawlor who is relishing the role of suave and irritatingly charming Algernon. Making general conversations with clever quips such as " the truth is rarely pure and never simple" Algernon exemplifies aristocratic hypocrisy and silliness. Andrew's simplistic matter of fact style in characterisation and delivery is consistent throughout, yet with more variety he would add more depth and intrigue to the deceptive Algernon.

After four years in Sydney, Abby Coleman returns to Adelaide with her Theatre Guild debut as Jack's 18 year old ward Cecily. Abby requires more work on her diction yet her performance as the virginal and wickedly enticing Cecily is delightful.

A wonderful support cast gave equally solid performances including Lindy LeCornu as Cecily's governess, Miss Prism, who is the key to unlocking the intricate plot. Gary George is the jovial Dr Chasuble who is intent on unlocking Miss Prism's heart. Even the servants play a part in the plot with Norman Athersmith as Jack's servant and John Sharpe's role as Algernon's servant, in coughing discreetly to announce a person's arrival or seemingly bemused at the behaviour of the upper class.

The Importance of Being Earnest is well staged in the intimate atmosphere of The Little Theatre, with Ole Wiebkin's stage/set design beautifully reflecting Wilde's aesthetic spirit of poetry, music , drama and visual arts.

The costumes are lavish with rich colours of burgundy for Lady Bracknell, blue, purple and white for Gwendolyn and Cecily in deep peach, with the aristocrats' attire complimented with dazzling jewels and stylish hats.

In earnest, this is a thoroughly entertaining production of Oscar Wilde's wittiest and satirical of plays, which reminds us all that the pun can be elevated to high art.

Let's Go.... To Sexpo!

The city of churches welcomed the arrival of the 2007 Club X Sexpo, with hundreds of eager and curious Adelaideans flocking to the Wayville Showgrounds for a taste, touch, smell, listen and look at the latest in adult health, sexuality and lifestyle products. There's something for everyone (aged over 18) at Sexpo.

Sexpo-a-go-go by Linh

According to the promotional material, Club X Sexpo is back in Adelaide with "bigger, better and bolder" exhibitions and performances than ever.
There's definitely more to Sexpo than lubricants, condoms and vibrators. This year we're presented with less of a pornographic approach and more of an adult edu-info-tainment style.

Exhibitions and displays included AIDS/sexual awareness groups such as Clioraid, the EROS Foundation and the SA Sex Industry Network. These groups provide vital services, support and information for sex industry workers as well as the heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual in the community.

Amongst the titillating paraphernalia ranging from subtle to explicit, are the diverse offerings of love potions and energy/libido boosting serums. The adventurous queued up for a free taste test, while the sceptical poured doubt on the details of pamphlets/flyers and 'customer satisfaction quotes' on posters.

The most popular aphrodisiac were the chocolates, shaped as penises, breasts, full lips and voluptuous women. It was the only exhibition stand which featured chocolate and proved to be a winner.

At the various exhibitions selling sex toys, a wheelchair bound gentleman gingerly fondled a silicone anal plug as the exhibition assistant explained its "incredible ability to boost pleasure for sensational anal sex...", and young women 'test drive' a vibrating finger massager (clitoral stimulator) by placing it on their breasts, wrist, neck or other erogenous locations.

The main attractions were the performances on stage including shows from amateur strippers to the professional female strip artists. If you happen to be in the front row while the male dancers from 'Badboys Australia' are performing, you get a free calendar.

After 6pm, the atmosphere and action at Sexpo heats up on the main stage, with Miss Nude Australia, Arianna, showing off her physical talents and attributes, and a stunning, eye-popping display of penile art from the Pricasso/Badboys Australia.

Sexpo not only opens your mind to different manners of sexual pleasure but also opens your eyes to see sex as less taboo and more liberating.