Midsumma

This page lists some reviews and editorials of 2010 Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Live Music events (or in some cases reviews of past reincarnations of the show or performer). If you are aware of other relevant reviews 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, heading and page of the article).

• 15th Annual Pride March (7 Feb)
  • Herald Sun, Katherine Firkin, Feb 8 2010: "POLICE Chief Commissioner Simon Overland received a rousing reception at yesterday's gay pride march."
  • The Age, Daniella Miletic and Daniel Ziffer, Feb 8 2010: "Men in frocks joined police officers in a rainbow of colour and movement at the Gay Pride march."
  • The Brookes Trust Blog: "There were dogs and comfortable shoes in abundance but most of all lots of good will."
• Nexus (to 6 Feb)
  • The Age, Chloe Smethurst, 5 Feb 2010: "...while teenage tapper Thomas Wadelton threatens to steal the show, flamenco dancer Tomas Arroquero is undoubtedly the star."
• Visual Arts Program
  • Southern Star, Keith Lawrence, 3 Feb 2010: "A fitting tribute to her (Vivien St James) and the strongest Midsumma visual arts program yet".
• The Choir (Errol Bray) (to 7 Feb)
  • The Age, Martin Ball, 30 Jan 2010, Arts 21: "This minimalist production by Fly-on-the-Wall Theatre makes a number of good moves... There is good energy from the cast throughout."
• Veiled in Plain Sight (to 20 Feb)
  • Queer Tastes, 30 Jan 2010: "The gallery is a bit out of the way but ... we do insist that you head out there."
• Yana Alana & Tha Paranas (27-30 Jan)
  • The Age, Tim Richards, 28 Jan 2010: "It's a big performance in a big venue, and a celebration of difference in a world obsessed with bland cookie-cutter celebrity."
• The Pyramid (27 Jan—7 Feb)
  • The Age, Tim Richards, 28 Jan 2010: "The Pyramid is a finely acted tale of a suburban, sexual tragedy."
• R+J ( 27-30 Jan)
  • Queer Tastes, 28 Jan 2010: "I'm not sure if William would have been impressed but I loved it."
  • MCV, Patrick Arnold, 25 Jan 2010: "R+J is the company's first Midsumma production and Mulcahy thinks it's a perfect complement to the festival."
• Writing Angus (20-31 Jan, Wed-Sun)
  • ArtsHub, Paul Knox, 28 Jan 2010: "...an interesting concept and one well suited to the tiny La Mama stage"
  • Queer Tastes, 24 Jan 2010: "...it was magical to watch the smooth transition of Andrew. In the end, the play is less about teenage love affairs or breaking up, but more about the courage to love."
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 22 Jan 2010: "Writing Angus is a true Midsumma delight"
• From Arsehole to Breakfast (26—31 Jan)
  • The Age, Tim Richards, 28 Jan 2010: "it's an amusing, emotional story that has plenty to say on both gay relationships and gay stereotypes."
• Nexus (3–6 Feb)
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 25 Jan 2010: "as Nexus, the title says – to bring together people from different dance styles, different sexualities, different ways of thinking about the world, and different cultures"
• To Keep Men in Awe: Christopher Marlowe ( 21-24 Jan)
  • Australian Stage, Danu Poyner, 24 Jan 2010: "To Keep Men In Awe is a fun and refreshingly original performance that inspires audiences to learn more about the themes and events it portrays, something to which all good theatre would do well to aspire."
• Closets are for Clothes (29 Jan)
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 21 Jan 2010: "Closets are for Clothes is an engaging and moving account of a community discovering itself as it emerges from a past darkened by prejudice and fear into the relative enlightenment of the present day."
• Midsumma Mooning (29 Jan)
  • Brookes Trust Blog: "Once inside it was a feast for the eyes with sexy blokes sucking on stubbies in every corner."
• Acts of Deceit (between strangers in a room) (to 7 Feb)
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 25 Jan 2010: "Acts of Deceit is a thoughtful interpretation of James Baldwin's novel"
  • The Age, Tim Richards, 25 Jan 2010: "This play is full of characters trying to deny their true selves, or trying fruitlessly to be someone they're not, but they never lose our sympathy for the failings we all share."
  • Queer Tastes, 23 Jan 2010: "... an expansion of the novella. Combined with the poetic dialogue and the graceful stage movements – this was a beautiful, beautiful play."
• Re/gendered and Queer City Lane Dwellers (20–31 Jan, Wed–Sun)
  • Queer Tastes, 25 Jan 2010: "Midsumma have really pulled some amazing works. And there are yet more exhibitions to see."
• As You Do (19-23 Jan 2010):
  • Queer Tastes, 24 Jan 2010: "A nicer pair of gentleman you will never meet."
  • Citysearch, Tim Hunter, Jan 2010: "just go along and enjoy their cheeky take on gay life and culture".
  • Northcote Leader, Julia Irwin, Wed 6 Jan 2010: "Just a Gay Way of Life. Thornbury actors George Filev and Michael Firth will provide a comedic insight into long-standing relationships through alter egos Seymour and Stanley".
  • Herald Sun, Chris Boyd, Fri Feb 6th 2009 (about last year's show): "As You Do leaves audiences as content as the old lovers who've been entertaining us for the past hour".
• Gendermash (22 Jan)
  • Queer Tastes, 23 Jan 2010: "With so much froth in our community it was just amazing to witness such an intense show. I really have to thank the people for bringing it to the stage."
• Gasworks Visual Arts Launch ('Action' & 'Bay Views') (to 7 Feb)
  
  • Queer Tastes, 22 Jan 2010: "These three artists make Gasworks worth visiting even without tickets to a show."
• Fabtastix Homewares (to 24 Jan)
  
  • The Age, Tim Richards, 21 Jan 2010: "Fabtastix Homewares is an entertaining hour of bitchy but warm retail humour."
  • Live Journal, Danniiboy, 19-24 Jan: "This is the sort of show I was hoping for..."
• Classic de Novo II (to 7 Feb)
  
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 2 Feb 2010: "Fifteen years after painting gay footballer Ian Roberts, Ross Watson has achieved national and international status as an artist whose work explores the tension between the hidden and the overt, man and landscape, body and machine."
  • Southern Star, Nick Bond, 20 Jan 2010: "Classic De Novo II is a diverse collection of portraits of gay icons and role models from all walks of life."
• Finding Space (to 6 Feb)
  
  • Queer Tastes, 19 Jan 2010: "Finding Space is a challenge to those used to nice orderly galleries but go, take your time and don't feel too weird about watching porn with others – it's art."
• Yarra Arts
  • Queer Tastes, 20 Jan 2010: "Really, such a high calibre this year. And there is so much more to come." (reference to Visual Arts overall, as well as Yarra Arts)
• Queer City - DRAG: The Journey, Vivien St James 1965-2009, Anthony L'Huillier and The Sewing Circle (18 Jan to 30 or 31 Jan 2010): 
  • The Age, Philippa Hawker , 19 Jan 2010: "An artist has drawn on the sexual mystery and ambiguity of movie stars"
  • Queer Tastes, Jason Sutton, 18 Jan 2010: "fortyfivedownstairs was all about choosing: which one of Anthony L’Huillier's beefy guys to take home; which underwear set to try on from Vivien St James; and which Hollywood starlet to worship".
• Andy & Adrian are Radio Husbands (17 Jan & 7 Feb 2010)
  • Live Journal, Danniiboy, 18 Jan 2010: "Andy and Adrian feed off their audience well and know how to deliver."
• Carnival (17 Jan 2010)
  • The Age, Daniel Ziffer, 18 Jan 2010: "Somewhere over the rainbow: Melbourne hosted a queer, but very normal, community party yesterday."
  • Queer Tastes, 17 Jan 2010: Check out the review and lots of photos.
• Searching for David - By Steven Dawson (14 Jan—13 Feb)
  • Queer Tastes, 16 Jan 2010: "I really hope to see Dawson develop more work in this style... a strong theatre experience".
• Midsumma 2010 (17 Jan—7 Feb)
  • MCV, Andrew Shaw, 16 Dec 2009: "Midsumma 2010: it's getting better all the time!".

Check out Queer Tastes to see all their Midsumma 2010 reviews & photos plus their schedule of planned reviews. Some of the photo galleries also include brief reviews.

Remember: If you find any reviews online, please email the details to webdude@midsumma.org.au.