Circa Theatre
August 2-30 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

Mammals takes a glimpse at the most ordinary but also unusual social grouping of the human species – the middle class family. Jane and Kev Hammersby have a comfortable home on the outskirts of London and 2 daughters, Jess and Betty. He works while she stays at home to care for the girls. But their seemingly happy marriage is about to be rocked and Jane in particular will be forced to re-examine the choices that have led to her current life.

Herald Theatre
Aug 14-Sept 7 | Reviewed by Renee Liang

FROM THE moment Ian Hughes steps on stage, he’s on intimate terms with us as an audience. That he manages to do this in the steeply raked space of the Herald Theatre is testament to his craft and of the stories he tells. There’s something friendly, even familiar, about Hughes. He looks like someone you’d see in the corner of the pub and not even notice. An ordinary bloke. But for 75 minutes, he has us entranced.

Princess Theatre, Melbourne
21 May-August 10 | Reviewed by Alexander Bisley

LUSH PICKINGS were on offer in Melbourne with this thoroughly accomplished production of Guys and Dolls. Broadway style through and through, this classic musical benefited from strong lead performances. Lisa McCune, aka Blue Heelers’ Maggie Doyle, was suitably cute as Salvation Army Mission Doll Sarah Brown. Big Shane Jacobson, aka Kenny’s eponymous hero, imported Kenny’s fulsome geniality to the role of hoodlum Nicely Nicely Johnson. Magda Szubanski, aka Kate ‘n’ Kim’s Sharon, brought the house down cross-dressing as fiercely rotund Chicago gangster Big Jule. In one highlight, Szubanski snappily insulted Jacobson, launching him into leading a showstopping rendition of ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat’. Ian Stanlake rounded out a strong quartet as gambler Sky Masterson, who falls for Sarah Brown. As anticipated, Stanlake’s rendition of ‘Luck Be a Lady’, “A lady never leaves her escort/It isn’t fair, it isn’t nice/A lady doesn’t wander all over the room/And blow on some other guys dice”, was a highlight. Witty, sassy and energetically choreographed and performed, Guys and Dolls showed why it’s a trump.

BATS Theatre
July 31-August 9 | Reviewed by Kate Blackhurst

AT ONE POINT in this duologue (I hesitate to call it a play) one of the characters says to the other, ‘Let’s be nothing together’. If this is the theme for the night, they certainly succeed, as this is a stunning example of the parts being greater than the sum.