Lynne's Theatre Notes

https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/phunctionals-beyond-the-walls-sydney-opera-house/ PHUNKTIONAL’S ‘BEYOND THE WALLS’ @ SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 15 DECEMBER 2019   LYNNE LANCASTER   LEAVE A COMMENT Production photography byJessica Lindsay There was a great sense of warmth, community and encouragement at this performance at the Opera House by Phunktional. The evening was enthusiastically emceed by Phunktional Founder and Artistic Director  Gerard Veltre  , who explained how the show came about and introduced the works. Earlier this year, Beyond the Wall visited two NSW youth justice centres – Frank Baxter and Reiby Youth Justice Centre, twice a week for six weeks. They worked with the young people aged 11 to 19, incarcerated there, encouraging them to share their experiences and stories in the form of dance and directing the dancers. Together they found a collective voice for their individual experiences. Since 2007 Phunktional has collaborated with art...

Here's my review for Sydney Arts Guide https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/set-a-part/ Photography by David Bonnell Australian sisters  Melissa Toogood , who was a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and now is a teacher of his technique, and  Jodie Toogood , who has participated in the Merce Cunningham Trust’s fellowship program, devised a most exciting program with sensational dancing. First up was a series of solos from Loose Time, Antic Meet and Rainforest choreographed by modern dance legend  Merce Cunningham,   presented as part of the Cunningham Centennial celebrations and bringing the celebrations to a close – powerful , fragmented jewels. Performed by sisters Jodie and Melissa Toogood they were dazzling. Cunningham’s tricky , demanding choreography requires very polished technique and precise control. The two Toogoods were full of controlled yet explosive , coiled energy. There were sculptural curves, angular arms , slightly off-kilt...

Here's my review for Sydney Arts Guide https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/the-orchestra-project-verbruggen-hall-sydney-conservatorium-of-music/ THE ORCHESTRA PROJECT @ VERBRUGGEN HALL SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC 13 DECEMBER 2019   LYNNE LANCASTER   LEAVE A COMMENT This was the inaugural concert by The Orchestra Project at the Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music . Two works were played – Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D Minor and Mahler’s 4th Symphony in the Orchestra’s Sydney debut. The Orchestra Project was established by conductor Fabian Russell in 2002 as a training ensemble for the development for the development of Australia’s best young orchestral musicians. This critically acclaimed ensemble provides opportunities for gifted young musicians to play alongside the very best musicians from Australia’s professional orchestras. Russell enthusiastically yet precisely conducted the rich , multi layered performance. Harry Bennetts, Associ...

https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/the-australian-ballet-in-the-nutcracker/ my review for Sydney Arts Guide THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET IN ‘THE NUTCRACKER’ 8 DECEMBER 2019   LYNNE LANCASTER   LEAVE A COMMENT The Australian Ballet are currently at the Sydney Opera House presenting Peter Wright’s 1990 Birmingham Royal Ballet version, which has been in the repertoire since 2007. It is a different version to the Royal Ballet one by Wright, filmed for ROH Live which I have reviewed ,and there is also in the Australian Ballet’s box of treasures Graeme Murphy’s fabulous Australianised version. This version is quite traditional, a wonderful first ballet and is full of opulent set designs, (at times a little heavy perhaps ), some amazing costumes and sensational dancing . Lighting – originally by David Finn here recreated by  Jon Buswell  was terrific and the Christmas tree growing was enchanting. Nicolette Frailon  energetically and enthusiastically led th...

  Musically splendid here's my review for Sydney Arts Guide  https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/pinchgut-opera-in-vivaldis-farnace/ PINCHGUT OPERA : VIVALDI’S FARNACE @ CITY RECITAL HALL 6 DECEMBER 2019   LYNNE LANCASTER   LEAVE A COMMENT This is a Baroque opera set in ancient Roman times , yet has been updated to now in a chilling , menacing production at times countered by lyrical , exquisite music.The atmosphere of the set is dark and bleak ( almost like a construction site, or bombed out war zone, with large plastic panels , ladders and scaffolding ) and there is a menacing atmosphere of war and violence throughout .Body bags wrapped in plastic hang ominously and are at various times hauled up and down. There are chalk outlines of people on the back wall which are possibly graffiti , or perhaps hinting at ghosts of the fallen. Costumes are also contemporary including camouflage gear, balaclavas and guns. The overall effect is darkly monochr...

TARONGA ZOO WHARF As the waves bob and weave Fiery orange glows reflectively Contrasting with the underlying, undulating green and silver Shimmering sparks tumble within the cool green depths Cold and warmth combined. I was thrilled that I wrote a poem as I hadn't written one for ages  Lynne

Another review for Dance Informa https://dancemagazine.com.au/2019/11/houston-ballet-and-the-australian-ballets-co-production-of-sylvia/ Houston Ballet and The Australian Ballet’s co-production of ‘Sylvia’ AKO KONDO AND KEVIN JACKSON IN 'SYLVIA'. PHOTO BY JEFF BUSBY.         COMMENTS Sydney Opera House, Sydney. 8 November 2019.  The production of  Sylvia  is one work where it really pays to read the synopsis beforehand and to make yourself familiar with the narrative and characters. Even so, sometimes you are still going, “Who’s that?”  Balletomanes might be familiar with Sir Frederick Ashton’s 1952 version. This one, however, is a co-production by Houston Ballet and The Australian Ballet choreographed by Stanton Welch (who used to be with The Australian Ballet and is now artistic director of Houston Ballet). Welch has niftily entwined Sylvia’s story with that of two other formidable female characters, Artemis and Psy...

Here's my review for Dance Informa https://dancemagazine.com.au/2019/12/naisda-dance-colleges-2019-season-ngoenakap/ USTRALIAN DANCE REVIEWS NAISDA Dance College’s 2019 season ‘Ngoenakap’ NAISDA DANCE COLLEGE'S 'NGOENAKAP'. PHOTO BY JAMIE JAMES.         COMMENTS Carriageworks, Sydney. 22 November 2019. There was a warm, joyous atmosphere when we entered and a great sense of connection to land and country in NAISDA Dance College’s 2019 season,  Ngoenakap . Traditional dances, mostly choreographed by Dujon Niue and Sani Townson, were interspersed with and balanced by contemporary ones. Live music accompanied the traditional dances, provided by Niue, Harry Newie and Norah Bagiri, as well as the dancers’ recorded music for the contemporary works. The performers were already on stage as we entered, quietly humming. There was a beach scene on the projection screen behind them with waves and a boat that perhaps edged...