By Peter Kemp
The 1812 theatre
The Housekeeper
Floundering after the death of his mother, Manley Carstairs, a self-styled literary artist, employs a housekeeper, Anne Dankworth, to look after his large Victorian house (and himself).
When Anne first arrives, wearing sneakers and carrying her belongings in a grocery cart, Manley is taken aback, but she seems eager to please that he relents – after which their relationship progresses rapidly from initial reserve to active hatred.
Anne is one of the world’s great oddballs.
She insults her employer, denigrates his writing, admits she forged her references, accuses Manley of lusting after her, in general makes his life hell.
Eventually, Manley can take no more, but when he advances on Anne with strangulation in mud, he trips, falls into her arms, they embrace, and the rest is history.
Season: 22 May – 14 June. Bookings: 0758 394
Rod Laver Arena
Les Misérables
The London production of Les Misérables, the world’s longest running musical, has entered its incredible 40th record breaking year, still playing to sell out audiences.
To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, Cameron Macintosh has put together the most spectacular Arena production of a musical ever staged which has played to rave reviews and sold-out Arenas in the UK and major European cities before it arrives in Australia.
Season: 14 – 25 May.
Bookings: lesmiserablestour.com.au
Burrinja Theatre
DRMC Showcase
Celebrating Music in the Hills.
The ensembles of the Dandenong Ranges Music Council are performing at Burrinja.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear the local musicians and to consider joining the CRMC groups.
Covering a diversity of styles, from Classical to Jaz, the performance will showcase The Dandenong Ranges Big Band, the Dandenong Ranges Orchestra, the Hot Jazz Orchestra, the Happy Wanderers singers and the Col our Notes Choir.
Season: Saturday 10 May at 2pm.
The Round Theatre
Victorian Opera
The Lyrebird’s Voice
Have you ever heard a lyrebird’s call?
You may have but mistaken it for something else these ornate birds are expert copycats, mimicking all sorts from kookaburras to camera shutters.
In this family-friendly opera, one trickster lyrebird goes a step too far and gets into trouble with their friends in the flock.
The other birds banish the lyrebird and curse them: never again will the lyrebird be able to use their own voice.
From now on, it’s mimicry only.
Alone in the bush, the lyrebird meets a quirky assortment of Australian animals, where they discover the power of being.
With performances in the outer suburban ring of Melbourne, audiences will meet beetles, a wombat, a kangaroo, a ringtail possum, a jittery emu, all
manner of native birds, and a cunning cat.
Season:
Thursday 8 May at 6.30pm.
Friday 9 May at 1pm.
Saturday 10 May at 2pm.
Josephine Wans to Dance
An hilarious musical about the importance of believing yourself and realising your dreams and … a dancing kangaroo.
Joséphine is a kangaroo who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her kangaroos don’t dance, they hop – but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air.
When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully, Josephine desperately wants to dance like the ballerinas n pink tutus silk ballet shoes.
On the day of the first performance, the Ballet Company is in trouble.
The prima ballerina twists her ankle and the understudy has a splinter in her toe. Who can dance the lead role?
Josephine’s talents are called upon to help save the day.
Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she’s a kangaroo.
Season:
Saturday 3 May at 10am.
