John Shand | Music & Other Spheres Posts

May 26, 2018 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Ensemble Theatre, May 10, until June 9 8/10 “I know the film and play, so why bother?” you ask. Because Sharon Millerchip is not playing Shirley Valentine, she’s living her. Because performances of such comprehensive truth are rare in Sydney. Because here’s a chance to see every flex of a…

May 24, 2018 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Belvoir St Theatre, May 9, until June 3 7/10 For most of The Sugar House Margo has a mountain ash-sized chip on her shoulder, inducing relentlessly bitchy, aggressive and unforgiving behaviour. Then, in Act Two, after a cancer diagnosis, she suddenly blurts out the line that encapsulates Alana Valentine’s Pyrmont-set…

May 22, 2018 / Concert Reviews - Archive

Boiler House, May 5 7/10 This was both refreshing and vaguely nostalgic, because in this fast-forward world it has become so rare to encounter art of any sort that takes its time – like Mozart operas, 19th-century novels or ’60s jazz improvisations. Here was music that dared to spend 15…