
Brisbane audiences won’t feel they’ve been left out in the cold this winter after witnessing the passion, fire and intensity that exudes from Doctor Zhivago.

Innocence is like a Decoder puzzle. You’re given a few letters then expected to be able to work out the rest. There are symbolic set pieces, symbolic actions, symbolic phrases – a semiotic web for the audience to clumsily wade through.

Watching Livermore and Hayes perform is like being greeted by old friends, the pair exude such genuine affection for each other it is easy to see them interact as mother and son.

Aside from offering two remarkable experiences for the price of one, such performances also manage to demonstrate the company’s considerable flexibility and variety.

The story is shocking at times, light-hearted and even funny at others, and it boasts a strong humanity throughout.

There are many belly laughs to be had as this rollicking script sweeps you along. The one liners are superb.

Denver’s life story is both sad and inspiring, but the true inspiration in this production is undoubtedly the music.