Shiva Shakti

Last night I went and saw Shiva Shakti at the Regal Theatre.This performance was a mixture between traditional/indigenous traditions and the acrobatics and dance of today. The performance consisted of drummers, who not only played the drums but also danced throughout the whole performance. The main drummer who would pop up in different scenes throughout the performance. He had done a lot of study in classical and then different styles of music throughout the years. The dancers were on and off constantly throughout the performance. There was a lead, she was on for the majority of the performance. The lead performer had been trained in Kathak dancing for 15 years.

 The Costumes in this performance were usually just block colours, mainly black red or white. However some of the costumes like shown in the photo below represented more the indigenous/traditional costumes. This was very effective especially the tassel costumes. This is because it exaggerated the their movements. Their was also some traditional Indian costumes as well.

 The set, props and lighting were very well set out. Every now and then throughout the performance they would drop the front curtain and the drummers would just perform. The aerial transitions were very smooth, and the way they used it to their advantage (sword fighting scenes, in the air and on the floor) was very well done. The whole performance was hectic but very well structured. All the performers were very well trained.

In all this performance has defiantly been one of my favourite pieces of theatre. It opened my eyes to a different culture as well as helping me appreciate the art further.

The Crucible

The Crucible was performed by third year WAAPA students. It is set in 1692 in Massachusetts.

The Crucible is about girls who go to the forest and make different spells. Then the next day one of the girls doesn't wake up. Because of this the town people immediately think it is witchery. 

Because the girls do not want be blamed they told the town people and the girls father that it was the girl from Barbosa (the only black girl). 

The play carries on with the council in the town trying to kill off any of the girls who are supposedly "witches".

WAAPA did this performance really well. It was 2 hours long however it really covered the main points of the play. 

The set was a good size with trees on the whole time and different props coming in and out to show the change of scene and setting. 

The characters were very good. They all put on an english accent which to me did not make a lot of sense because it is from America. However majority of the performers kept it the whole time. However some lost it throughout the performance.

The play was easy to follow and the lighting and sound was used well however was very simple. 

The costumes used really articulated the time period and represented different classes from that time well.

This was a very well performed play. I believe it really showed the main points of the play. 

Mary Poppins

Throughout the production of Mary Poppins, there was a magical feel to it. The transitions between each scene as very smooth and the sets where amazing and very detailed. The lighting they used articulated the different scenes and moods, this made it more effective for the audience.

 The costumes were colourful when needed and realistic when they had to be, this showed the difference between the magical space and the everyday life. The haze machine and smoke machine was used well.

 The characters were very believable. The formations and dancing in this production was amazing, they were all so in synch. There were some scenes from the movie i would of like to of seen that weren't in there but that is okay. The music was good and it helped create the mood, the props were effective and the use of shadow helped to create the right effect.

The spotlight was used effectively and the lights set the mood. Watching it again, many moral messages came through. It was very good and i really enjoyed it.

How like an Angel

How Like An Angel was an experience of magic. As Circa and polyphonic vocal masters I Fagiolini join sides. With amazing acrobatics, mixed with centuries of sacred music. 

This performance drew you deeper and deeper as it progressed. It was almost dream like, physically daring and beautiful sound.

 It was in the Winthrop Hall at UWA. The stage was long and rectangular. Seats were on either side up the back near the organ and on a balcony. 


The lighting was simple and a smoke machine was used. The Angels were presented in white. 


Throughout the performance, many acrobatic tricks were performed. Wether it was a strong guy lifting or a tiny girl lifting. 


I believe the performance lacked a narrative. A fusing theme too lead the experience beyond admiration of the talent and ingenuity on show to a place where angels tread.

Overall it was an amazing performance however I would of wanted to see just the acrobats and less singing, it almost overpowered. Great performance!!!

A Magic Flute

A Magic Flute was originally an opera with Mozart's music. This was Peter Brooks versions of it.The music first begins as delicate and tender then turns into playful and humorous.The pianist fills the stage with new energy humanity and colour. The story line follows the music seamlessly.

The set of the Performance was very minimalist. Because it was in the octagon it didn't matter where you sat it was all easy to sea. The sets consisted of bamboo sticks stuck to metal plates. This made it very easy to move them around. They used the Bamboo sticks to create cages, bushes etc. Peter Brook combined the traditional opera of The Magic Flute and the modern use of lighting, staging, and costumes.

Surtitles (above the stage) are used because the whole play is in German and French.

This was a difficult play to watch however it was really interesting how Peter Brook used only the piano and singers to show how there doesn't have to be huge props, costumes and lighting to portray Mozart's amazing talent.

Beautiful Burnout

On Saturday the 18th of February I went to see Beautiful Burnout at the ABC studio. 

The set was very small and in the centre they had a square small stage with a long circle drawn, representing the boxing ring. At the back of the stage there were monitors(tv) playing different things throughout the performance. 

The story was about a young boy called Cameron Burns that wanted to become a professional boxer. He trained with Bobby Burgess and learnt to be the best. In the end he got brutally nocked out by Ajay Chopra, and become disabled.

The lighting throughout the performance represented the different emotions and the movement was so precise. 

Even though there was a comedy side to the performance there was true meaning when the mum was deeply worried about her son. In the end you see how much mums are willing to do for you. In no matter what situation, to be there for you every second of every day.