Josh RH Daveta
17th April
Powerhouse Visy Theatre
I have seen Josh in Boy & Girl twice, met him in foyers at his shows and others and he is a force of nature. Charismatic, talented and a star.
Put a boy in a fluffy pink onesie, add oodles of stage presence, charm, a touch of naughty and a truly remarkable voice and you have the uber talented Josh R H Daveta. Last night his show Teenage Dreams was a celebration of the pop diva as channeled by Josh and his brilliant accompanist, friend and backup singer Luke Volker who can really play with that piano. There is more to do in that bed and doona than just dream.
Great to see some surprise appearances which I will keep secret because I don't want to spoil the fun for those going to the final show tonight. Do rush along. Once again a fabulous show brought to us by Troy Armstrong. I seem to be going to them all.
I Might Take My Shirt Off
Dash Kruck
14 February 2015
Powerhouse Theatre
Melt Festival
Dash has been extraordinary in so many productions I have seen and in this he let loose his one man show.
From the promos: -
It’s Lionel’s first time. You won’t be too rough, will you?
From the mischievous mind of one of Queensland’s favourite actors, Dash Kruck (A Tribute of Sorts), this is the story of Lionel and the reluctant world-premiere of his debut cabaret show; a musical evening of sex, booze, boys and mythical beasts.
Matthew Mitcham
Twist and Turns
6th February 2015
Powerhouse Theatre
Melt Festival
Matthew Mitcham's
Twists & Turns
On the 23 August 2008, a young Australian athlete made Olympic history. Coming from 30 points behind, and on his final dive, he scored 112.10 to shock himself and the diving world and rob the Chinese of a full sweep of Olympic diving gold medals.
On that day Matthew Mitcham OAM became Australia's first male diving Olympic gold medallist since 1924, and the only diver ever in Olympic history, to produce a perfect 10 point score from all judges – winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics 10m platform title.
Grinning with pride from front pages around the world, there was no hint of the personal demons that had led this supremely talented young dynamo to quit diving less than two years before his famous win at Beijing.
Joyously out and proud as an openly gay man, Matthew was a role model for his courage both in and out of the pool. Yet the crippling self-doubt and shadow of depression that had plagued him all his life forced him into premature retirement, at one point reduced to circus diving to earn money.
Even after Beijing and being ranked No 1 in the world, those closest to Matthew could not guess that beneath that cheeky, fun-loving, exterior he was painfully aware of how easily it could unravel.
Matthew has recently released his autobiography Twists and Turns, which reveals a life behind the international spotlight that has been plagued by low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, panic attacks and repeated self-harm as a teenager, leading on to drug abuse. He has also struggled with issues relating to his sexuality, being one of few Olympians to compete at the event as openly gay.
Based on his book of the same name, and told with the honesty and courage he is admired for, this live production of Twists and Turns is an inspiring story of a true champion – in and out of the pool.
Away from the diving pool Matthew is a talented singer and musician, who invites you to share the highs and lows of his incredible life through theatre and song, along with a few surprises, a bit of foot tapping and loads of inspiration, in his first solo show.
Commissioned and produced by the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and directed and co-created by Nigel Turner-Carroll, this extraordinary cabaret show has been scripted by multi-award winning London cabaret star Spanky under the musical direction of Jeremy Brennan (Jersey Boys).
After meeting Matt for the first time.
