
Red Stitch Theatre’s Australian premiere of the 2010 British play, directed by Denny Lawrence, is a panoply of conflict, character, tragedy, humour, bad behaviour and stage business.

There is an element of the prodigal son in Barney McAll’s tribute to Mooroolbark, an area east of Melbourne. Barney explains that 'Mooroolbark' is the name given to his hometown by the Wurundjeri people (“moorool” meaning great water and “bik” meaning place).

Venus is Fur is a play within a play, inspired by a book. Written by David Ives, it is a smart, funny, feminist discourse on fetishes, power and female objectification, with elements of a gothic thriller, crackling with suspense and a hint of threat.

Four Seasons in One Night is the tale of an Irish boy, who moved to Australia, went to New York and took on the role of a boy from Jersey. The Irish boy is Bobby Fox and the boy from Jersey is Franki Valli who’s rags to riches journey was made into the award winning Broadway sensation Jersey Boys.

Harland did not so much lead as, together with the anchor of bassist Harish Raghavan, create an unstoppable rolling groove with the other gifted members of the band, steering a sonic spaceship on an exploration of musical galaxies.

Penny King is a well-known Perth singer with a deservedly fine reputation. She is possessed of a lovely voice, wonderful vocal clarity and impeccable phrasing.

Cole Porter's Anything Goes has re-surfaced in an over-the-top new production. The story may still be set in the olden post-depression, fun-filled 1930s, but with outlandish humour ripe for a contemporary audience.