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| Picnic at Hanging Rock |
I sat down to write this list with some trepidation. I thought perhaps Melbourne theatre had not quite lived up to expectation. I’d had a general sense of dissatisfaction, with a few memorable bright spots.
But
as I started to make my list of favourites, I noticed that our mainstages –
Melbourne Theatre Company and the Malthouse – both had strong years. Their high
points were among the best of all theatre I saw this year.
This is also the first time in a while I haven’t seen
theatre outside of Melbourne. No trips to Adelaide or Sydney this year, though
thankfully we got a couple of great Belvoir shows and a Sydney Theatre Company
production to remind me to get up there again next year.
One particular highlight of my year was the National Play
Festival, which I wrote about. I couldn’t quite figure out how to fit it into
my list – with it mostly being play readings and discussion panels. But
definitely a high point of looking at Australian theatre this year.
There’s also a bunch of cabaret in my list, more than usual.
And, as always, my lists are in alphabetical order, because I am not going to
rank art. Too much.
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| Adrienne Truscott |
THE TOP TEN
Adrienne Truscott’s A One Trick Pony – Melbourne International
Comedy Festival/Malthouse
Adrienne’s show about critical reaction to her previous
show, Asking for It, was unforgettable. For the whole audience, but
particularly for me in a haze of Alanis Morissette, Andy Kaufman, Mighty Mouse
and the wrestling match. (my review)
Blaque Showgirls - Malthouse
One of the sharpest pieces of social satire I’ve ever seen
on stage, Nakkiah Lui’s hilarious take on Showgirls was savage and hilarious. (my review)
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| Blaque Showgirls |
Edward II - Malthouse
Matt Lutton and Anthony Weigh’s take on Christopher Marlowe’s
Edward II – tackling history and museum theatre and breaking them both apart.
The Events – Belvoir/Malthouse/State Theatre Company of SA
This was one of many shows after which I was speechless. It
was also one where someone from the Malthouse stuck a camera in my face to
gauge my reaction. An important play so beautifully realised. Catherine
McClements was as good as she’s ever been.
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| The Events |
Lilith the Jungle Girl – Melbourne Theatre Company/NeonNext
With the disappearance of Neon as a festival, I was glad MTC
programmed another Sixxter’s Grimm show in the Lawler. This is the kind of work
– and the kind of company that our mainstages need to support so we can have
another generation of theatre artists in this country.
Meow Meow’s The Little Mermaid – Malthouse
It’s theatre, it’s cabaret, it’s Meow Meow and how else can
you describe such a big show about a story we all know put in a modern context?
Bold, thrilling and entertaining as hell.
The Maze – Melbourne Fringe Festival
I’ve written a lot about this show and I’m going to keep
talking about this one audience member immersive piece of theatre for a long
time coming, because I want it to come back and it shook me up like no show has
for a long time. And I didn’t even have anyone to discuss it with after. (my review, my other review)
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| The Maze |
Picnic at Hanging Rock – Malthouse/Black Swan
A powerful adaptation of the classic Australian novel, with
nods to the film and to a piece of Australian folklore. This was contemplative
and scary in equal measure. A stunning piece of theatre. (My review)
Purge – Melbourne International Comedy Festival/Malthouse
A show about deleting friends from Facebook, it’s about
connection in this era of social media and how people come in and out of our
lives so easily – for good and ill.
Zoe Coombs Marr’s Trigger Warning – Melbourne International
Comedy Festival
Dave is a frightening creation because he’s just a male
comedian telling awful jokes and trying to ingratiate himself with the crowd
and laughing just encourages that kind of bloke. And damn, Trigger Warning was
an hilarious takedown of misogyny in comedy. (my review)
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| Zoe Coombs Marr as Dave in Trigger Warning |
THE NEXT TEN
The Awkward Years – Melbourne Fringe Festival
A twenty-minute flashback to high school parties – first kisses
and vomits and pass the parcel. Amazing what can happen in such a short time. (my review)
Bridget Everett: Pound It – Melbourne International Comedy
Festival
I was going to say that Trigger Warning made me laugh so
much it hurt, but Pound It absolutely did that for me. Bridget is filthy as
hell, with the voice of a rocking angel. Extreme cabaret. (my review)
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| Bridget Everett: Pound It |
Elegy – Midsumma/Lab Kelpie
The story of gay refugees as related through the work of a
photojournalist in the Middle East. Nick Simpson-Deeks’ performance was so
layered and the production devastating. A highlight from early 2016 that I
haven’t forgotten.
Jasper Jones – Melbourne Theatre Company
This was a great surprise, having not read the novel and
having no idea what to expect. A remarkable cast, some beautiful theatrical
tricks and the story of a small Australian town and its grief over a missing
girl.
Julius Caesar – Melbourne Fringe Festival
An all-female Caesar that was sparse and brutal. A shock to
the system. (my review)
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| Essential Theatre's Julius Caesar |
Lady Eats Apple – Melbourne Festival/Back to Back Theatre
Back-to-Back’s most epic work yet, about learning to see
thing’s through other perspectives – while sitting in a space some of us were
so familiar with and yet we saw it anew.
Lungs – Melbourne Theatre Company
A great play enhanced by a singular production and incredible performances.
Petrasexual – Butterfly Club
My friend Petra Elliott’s show about sex and sexuality is
bloody brilliant and so important. See it in Adelaide at the Fringe in 2017.
Straight White Men – Melbourne Theatre Company
A show about privilege that’s not so much about Straight
White Men as it is about a society that messes with us all. A strong choice by
the MTC to make a show that shines a light on much of the expectations we have
for a show we see at the MTC.
Wit – 45 Downstairs
For the performance by Jane Montgomery-Griffiths alone.
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| Jane Montgomery-Griffiths in Wit |
OTHER MEMORABLE SHOWS
Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs
Alice Tovey: Personal Messiah – Melbourne Cabaret Festival
Comma Sutra – Melbourne Cabaret Festival
David Sedaris
Disgraced – Melbourne Theatre Company
3 Acts, 2 Dancers, 1 Radio Host
Switzerland – Sydney Theatre Company/Melbourne Theatre
Company
War & Peace – Melbourne Festival
PAST YEARS
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