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Sydney: The Year of Magical Thinking — by Nicole Bassil — last modified 2008-04-21 10:08

When I read that Sydney Theatre Company’s latest play, The Year of Magical Thinking, was directed by its powerhouse Co-Artistic Director, the magnificent Ms Blanchett, I jumped at the chance to see it. Unfortunately, for me it would have been more aptly named ‘What Seemed Like a Year of Wishful Thinking’ for the monotony to end. Yet I cannot lay blame for this at the feet of Cate Blanchett or any of the other instruments of production as the artistry of the work was pleasingly slick and emotive. They were just using dud material.

Rock 'n' Roll — by Nicole Bassil — last modified 2008-04-17 21:39

The name Tom Stoppard is as ubiquitous in theatre circles as Williamson or Shakespeare but, while always cleverly satirical, this play, Rock ‘n’ Roll, offers an insight into the more autobiographical arena of Stoppard’s Czech heritage. The ideological battle between Communists and Capitalists is an old one and the confluence of cultural derision is similarly ground well trodden. Yet Stoppard manages to bring a highly complex ‘marketplace of ideas’ to a drama that is still intensely personal. At times I even felt that the intellectual side of things was too intense but I would not presume to patronize his audience.

Death of a Salesman — by Nicole Bassil — last modified 2008-05-27 09:15

I have studied Arthur Miller’s, Death of a Salesman, and imagined how it might be performed many times but this was the first occasion that I had actually seen it in a theatre. When I saw Sean Taylor, as Willy Loman, and Jacki Weaver, as Linda Loman, emerge on that stage, it was like a scene from my memory. These fine actors are so well suited to their respective parts that I felt a great sense of familiarity and comfort in their portrayal. The play is so well known that the appeal of this production lies not in, perhaps, surprise or original engagement with the concepts, but reverent appreciation of a Pulitzer Prize winning text being so aptly represented.

Sydney: Death of a Salesman — by Nicole Bassil — last modified 2008-06-16 22:00

I have studied Arthur Miller’s, Death of a Salesman, and imagined how it might be performed many times but this was the first occasion that I had actually seen it in a theatre. When I saw Sean Taylor, as Willy Loman, and Jacki Weaver, as Linda Loman, emerge on that stage, it was like a scene from my memory. These fine actors are so well suited to their respective parts that I felt a great sense of familiarity and comfort in their portrayal. The play is so well known that the appeal of this production lies not in, perhaps, surprise or original engagement with the concepts, but in reverent appreciation of this Pulitzer Prize winning text. A review by Nicole Bassil.