Star-studded cast relishes this brutally amusing aesthetic battle
A star-studded Australian production of Yasmina Reza’s 'Art' delivers sharp, comedic insight into friendship and taste, while Melbourne Opera’s 'Don Giovanni' impresses musically but fails to deliver a promised feminist reimagining, and Bell Shakespeare’s 'Julius Caesar' struggles with uneven performances despite a strong central turn by Brigid Zengeni. Meanwhile, Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka wows Melbourne audiences with a vibrant, joyous performance. The reviews collectively highlight the strengths and missed opportunities across theatre, opera, and live music. Performances by Roxburgh, Herriman, and Schmitz anchor a thought-provoking revival of 'Art' at the Comedy Theatre.
- ▪Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, and Toby Schmitz star in a critically praised Australian revival of Yasmina Reza’s 'Art' at the Comedy Theatre, exploring the breakdown of friendship over aesthetic conflict.
- ▪Melbourne Opera’s 'Don Giovanni' features strong vocal performances and an excellent orchestra but fails to deliver the promised feminist reinterpretation of the classic opera.
- ▪Bell Shakespeare’s 'Julius Caesar', set in a dystopian industrial world, is anchored by Brigid Zengeni’s powerful performance as Brutus but undermined by uneven direction and a lack of contemporary resonance.
- ▪Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, at 73, draws a young, enthusiastic crowd at The Forum for his first Australian tour, showcasing his decades-long fusion of funk, disco, and rock.
- ▪The production of 'Art' retains a French comedic sensibility and includes a standout monologue by Schmitz, while 'Julius Caesar' suffers particularly from a weak portrayal of Marc Antony by Mark Leonard Winter.
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