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This page lists some reviews and editorials of 2009 Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Live Music events. If you are
aware of any others that are not included here, please send an email to webdude@midsumma.org.au with a link to the online review or details from the printed review (publication name, date, page and the title of the article).
- Laugh Out Loud:
- Fagmedia, President, Sat Feb 7th 2009: "If we were Margaret or David we would have to give this 4 and a half stars out of 5!".
- Upstart Alley VIII:
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sat Feb 7th 2009: "The acts were hilarious, such as Kaboobie flying in the face of all those pristine drag queens by resorting to simply rolling across the stage...".
- Jerker (closes Feb 7th):
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Fri Feb 6th 2009: "Bloody amazing play. My highlight of the festival.".
- MCV, Richard Watts, Wed Jan 28th 2009: "Although frank, funny and raunchy at times, the play's progression into an isolated intimacy is rapid, and I soon found myself hooked".
- The Age, Tim Richards, Sat Jan 24th 2009: "this production is firmly set in the 1980s but still works as an exploration of the connection that can develop without a physical presence. As many lovestruck internet chatters can attest.".
- Thy Will Be Done and As You Do (both close Feb 7th):
- As You Do:
- Herald Sun, Chris Boyd, Fri Feb 6th 2009: "As You Do leaves audiences as content as the old lovers who've been entertaining us for the past hour".
- The Age, Tim Richards, Thu Feb 5th 2009. "Subtle
it isn't. However, it's confidently delivered with a charming manner
that provokes laughter at the conflict between the nanna-style living
room and the lewd subtext.".
- Thy Will Be Done:
- The Age, Tim Richards, Thu Feb 5th 2009. "A high point is Schmidt's sympathetic portrayal of the troubled Tom." .
- MCV, Clinton Dybing, Wed Jan 28th 2009: "McGreal
is forever edging closer to causing his own nationwide riot. After
having two productions in Midsumma last year, he’s one of the few names
actually sought out by audiences.".
- The Dream Children (closes Feb 7th):
- The Age, Cameron Woodhead, Fri Feb 6th 2009: "Action-packed tale of gay parenthood - The Dream Children is a thoughtful and entertaining take on a topical subject.".
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sat Jan 31st 2009: "The
Dream Children is well worth going to see as another story where being
gay isn’t the theme, instead, exploring how gays and lesbians are
trying to enrich their lives.".
- Arts Hub, Ronald McCoy, Fri Jan 23rd 2009: "The [La Mama] ensemble cast do a fine job of bringing the characters to life, and
the set design worked well to reflect the various lifestyles of all of
the characters.".
- MCV, Michael Magnusson, Wed Jan 21st 2009: "The game shows and pulp television on the stage parallel the pair’s
private life, suggesting that Steven and Terry’s plan is as much a
fantasy and a game of chance.".
- Zanna, Don't
(closes Feb 14th):
- SameSame.com.au, Travis de Jonk, Thu Feb 5th 2009: "If you only see one show this Midsumma, you better make it Zanna Don’t".
- MCV, Lee Gambin, Thu Feb 5th 2009: "Quirky Productions have done a fabulous job of bringing Melbourne Zanna, Don't! - go see it before it zaps outta town!".
- Arts Hub, Ronald McCoy, Mon Feb 2nd 2009: "With
Zanna Don’t being their first production, Quirky Productions has raised
the bar in musical comedy standards in Melbourne. Don’t miss it, if
it's not already sold out.".
- Australian Stage, Vito Mattarelli, Mon Feb 2nd 2009: "In all, Zanna, Don't remains another fun-filled Midsumma experience." plus Australian Stage interview with Samuel Kitchen (Zanna) by Anna Lozynski.
- CitySearch, Penny Wedesweiler, Sat Jan 31st: "This is one piece of theatre you definitely Don't! want to miss".
- Theatre People, Simon Parris, Fri Jan 30th 2009: "Quirky
Productions have made their debut with an enthusiastic production that
bodes well for future achievements. In a perfectly selected offering
for Midsumma, the show offers socially relevant material, camp designs,
a disco-like score and lashings of eye candy thrown in for good measure".
- Pink Shorts:
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Wed Feb 4th 2009: "This year, the five plays featured did not miss a beat: from the opening monologue in 'From: urban_homo', which was written with such wit and superbly delivered, to the closing scene of father and gay son forced to bond while stuck in a kit plane.".
- Forbidden Broadway:
- Classic De Novo - Ross Watson Gallery (closes Feb 8th):
- The Age, Vanessa Murray, Wed Feb 4th 2009: "From painting Margaret Thatcher's kitchen to portraits of celebrities, Ross Watson has come a long way, writes Vanessa Murray".
- MCV, Clive Simmonds, Wed Jan 21st 2009: "His current exhibition, Classic De Novo, is Watson’s reinterpretation of old masters, reproducing the settings of the
masters, but introducing contemporary male icons such as porn stars and
footballers.".
- Dean Beck EXIT (closes March 7th):
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Mon Feb 2nd 2009: "There’s an equal balance, in this exhibition, of images that could easily stand alone without explanation and others that really need the background to give it meaning.".
- Genesis Re-created:
- Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sat Jan 31st 2009: "There’s quite a lot of funny one liners and many offensive jokes, which I’m a huge fan of".
- The Age, John Bailey, Sun Jan 25th 2009: "Genesis Re-created ... might be the surprise hit of this year's Midsumma Festival.".
- Big Blak Dot (closes Feb 5th) and The Genuine Exhibition (closes Feb 21st): Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sat Jan 31st 2009: on The Genuine Exhibition: "I highly recommend this exhibition". On the Big Blak Dot exhibition: "There were some great pieces in the Big Blak Dot Exhibition".
- Mummy Dearest: Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Thu Jan 29th 2009: "Mummy Dearest has come and gone but keep an eye out for any future performances of this play".
- A String of Coloured Lights and The Twink & The Showgirl: Arts Hub, David Knox, Wed Jan 28th 2009: "Two new shows, a funky summer venue, lots of laughs and a gaggle of Midsumma devotees make The Butterfly Club the place to be this summer.".
- Novel Conversation: Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Tue Jan 27th 2009: "The killer of the night was Patricia Cornelius with her breathless reading from her novella, Love. The crowd went wild - in a bookshop!".
- Make a Fuss exhibition (closed Feb 4th): Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Tue Jan 27th 2009: "This gallery is off the well-trod Midsumma arts precincts but worth a pop in.".
- Dead Queen (closes Feb 14th):
- The Age, Tim Richards, Monday Jan 26th 2009: "It's an entertaining production, presented in a blackly comic tone that taps into sub-conscious convictions that some people deserve to die.".
- MCV, Andrew Shaw, Wed Jan 14th 2009: "As playwright Steven Dawson prepares to tickle Melbourne’s gay funny bone again, he tells Andrew Shaw where all those snappy
one-liners come from.".
- Guildford Lane Gallery Launch (closes Feb 8th): Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Mon Jan 26th 2009: "Every artist on display at the Guildford Lane Gallery offered something beautiful and something to contemplate.".
- Inside The Frame - Kaye Sera's NGV Tour: Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sun Jan 25th 2009: "Kaye! That was an amazing experience.".
- Outing Riley (MQFF at the Fairfield Amphitheatre): Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Sat Jan 24th 2009: "The MQFF always show good crowd pleasers at these Midsumma outdoor movies and I look forward to them." .
- In-Camera by Jean-Paul Sartre: Jason Sutton's Queer Tastes blog, Thu Jan 22nd 2009: "I found the dialogue a fascinating debate about judging oneself and others for the life they have led.".
- Mz Josephine is Into The Pink: MCV, Andrew Shaw, Wed Jan 21st 2009: "Dave Evans joins Mz Josephine in a magical set of their favourite, luscious pink cabaret tunes.".
- Human Resources (closes Feb 7th): MCV, Andrew Shaw, Wed Jan 21st 2009: "Human Resources consists of three dysfunctional tales which give workplace relations a bad name.".
- Naked Gaze - 69 Smith St (Closes Feb 8th): MCV, Andrew Shaw, Wed Jan 21st 2009: "Could you pose naked for a stranger? Andrew Shaw talks to photographer David Khan about trust, masculinity and beauty.".
- Art for Everyone: MCV, Dark Lord, Wed Jan 16th 2009: "Midsumma’s visual arts convenor, Tim Bateson, talks to Lucy Elliott about this year’s high calibre program.".
- Get Festive: Canvas Magazine, Richard Watts, Wed Jan 7th 2009: "a brief summary of some of the cultural events on offer at Midsumma this year".
- Milk: MCV, Richard Watts, Wed Jan 7th 2009: "Ultimately, Milk is a film about one man’s passion for equality, and how his ideas inspired others even as he himself was
gunned down. It’s a remarkable cinematic achievement; a vivid tapestry
of emotions, ideas and performances woven together into a rich,
restrained whole.".
Remember: If you find any reviews online, please email the details to webdude@midsumma.org.au.
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