Adelaide Advertiser Review: October 18th

This is one of the most concise and fair reviews I've read in a good long while. Samela Harris, if a trifle stern in her delivery, provides a review which is honest and informative. From the very first paragraph she shows that her eye for quality is in top shape. It is true that the on-stage budget of this show appears low, but Samela makes us proud of that fact - this production, while lacking the budget of so-called "professional" productions, is full to the brim with professional talent and passion.

She also crams an awful lot of praise for the cast into a surprisingly small space without it seeming overly rushed. Furthermore, she exhibits a definite knowledge of theatre, not to mention performers. Her comparison of Ray Bolger (who played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz) to Brady Lloyd not only shows insight and prior knowledge, it is also a huge feather in Brady's cap. Have a look at some of the links above and you can see that it's not an idle comparison - it's almost bang on the money.

She makes mention of the obvious technical issues that have arisen (and which are being dealt with piece by piece during the show), again in a straightforward and honest manner. Sadly the news is not all perfect. In her final sentence Samela partially succumbs to the fate of so many other reviewers when she makes the review personal and points a finger squarely at the director, who also appears in the show. Even if the comment is not meant to be personal, it may be taken as such, and for that reason I believe this practice is something which reviewers should be at pains to avoid.

Still, in the main this is a review that truely makes one want to come and see the show - which, for my money, is what a review is for.