Tag Archives: Pepa Wolfe

WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre QPAC, 7th November 2010 – Live Review

Review by: Pepa Wolfe

West Side Story, the classic piece of Musical Theatre inspired by Romeo and Juliet and conceived by Jerome Robbins, hit Brisbane this week in a flash of movement and colour.

Director Joey McKneely brings a wealth of experience to the Australian production, reimagining again as he has done around the world, this story of star-crossed lovers and feuding gangs on the streets of 1950s New York.

The rear projection of a grainy black and white still of New York City located the piece, surrounded by tiers of iron balconies, the simple scope of the design hinting at the grand scale of the drama that was about to unfold.

A vibrant production, of swirling movement, soaring vocals and rolling accents all buoyed by the full swell of the 19 piece orchestra, West Side Story maintains an intense energy during the group numbers, but wanes a little during the solo pieces. Both Josh Piterman as Tony and Julie Goodwin as Maria were in fine voice, but the outstanding choreography easily stole the show.
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The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table @ Cremorne Theatre, QPAC 15th October 2010 – Theatre Review

  Review: Pepa Wolfe

It was a wet, windy night in Brisbane for the opening of Wesley Enoch’s The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table, directed by and starring Leah Purcell. Produced by the independent indigenous company Bungabura Productions and presented by QPAC, this is the story of Opening Night. It goes something like this.

The Cremorne had been transformed (the stage removed so that some of the audience was sitting amongst the set) into the simple dining room of a house on Stradbroke Island, sand strewn on the ground, with the backdrop arranged in pieces, working both as a broken barrier to the outside world and an obscure window into the past, the faces of time gone by etched into its panels. At its centre sat the table, Cookie’s Table.

Originally Cookie’s birth tree, it was cut down by the white man and turned into a table that was eventually passed down through four generations. This night the audience learnt the history of the table; its meaning, its power. Its mystery unravelling as estranged mother and son, Annie and Nathan, argued over its ownership, and in doing so challenged the meaning of family and the elusive nature of the truth.
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Dreaming Up The Vision: Interview with Leah Purcell, 11th October 2010 – LifeMusicMedia Interviews

Dreaming Up The Vision

Actor/Director Leah Purcell talks to Life Music Media about character, coming home, and the joy of performing in The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table.

In 2008 actress Leah Purcell was honoured with Australian theatre’s highest recognition the Helpmann Award (Australia’s version of the Tony Award) for her role in Wesley Enoch’s The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table. Produced in Sydney as a Hothouse Theatre/Griffin Theatre Company production and directed by Marion Potts, the play was critically acclaimed, making its mark as an important piece of contemporary Australian theatre. Now a new production, presented by QPAC and staged by Purcell’s Bungabura Productions, brings this quintessentially Queensland story home.

While deep into the plays rehearsal period, the actress, who is also directing this version, took time to answer some questions for Pepa Wolfe.

What is the play about?
Well there’re two story lines. There’s the history of the table – it was my Great-great Grandmother’s birth tree. When settlement happened on this island they cut down that birth tree and turned it into a table. As a little girl she followed the table and got a job as a cook in the house where the table ended up. And throughout the lifetimes the table has been passed down…

…To the present day story about my character Annie and her estranged son Nathan. They’ve been estranged for 25 years. She had him when she was 13 and she left because of the talk around the incident where she fell pregnant, and the lies around that. [Annie’s] mother Faith passes away, which brings Nathan and Annie back together. The surface story is to argue and discuss who gets the table, but though that discussion we learn more about each individual character.
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Sylvia by A.R. Gurney – Brisbane Arts Theatre, 11th September 2010 – Live Review

Review: Pepa Wolfe

  Sylvia By A.R. Gurney
Directed by David Bell

With: Karla Deane, Michael Civitano, Natasha Kapper, Jill Brocklebank, Kate Hawkins.

There was a decidedly pleasant mood at the Brisbane Arts Theatre on Saturday, as people gathered for the opening night performance of A.R. Gurney’s Sylvia. Promoted as a comedy about the relationship between Man and “Man’s best friend”, the play’s title character is in fact a dog – a precocious little mut, played by Karla Deane.

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Rock for the Regent! 2 @ The Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley – Saturday 10th July 2010 [Live Review]

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Review: Pepa Wolfe
There was a great turnout at the Globe theatre on Saturday night, with Brisbane music fans coming together to support fundraising efforts to save the heritage of the Regent Theatre in the city.

While many may have come to see the headline act Wolfmother, the crowd was happy and buzzing all night, showing support for the variety of genres on display. And the outstanding Brissy line-up didn’t disappoint.

Swanky rockers Princess Rodeo were up first, and set the night off at a cracking pace. The dynamic three-piece and their charming blend of indie rock, played through a high energy set of catchy melodies and serious riffs. Their soon to be released single “Alternate Colours” makes you want to sing along, while the bassy groove of “Compelled to Crawl Under Your Thumb” and the heavier “Skeleton” pleased Wolfmother fans. They made an impressive start to the night, setting the tone for an evening of fun, dynamic, melodious rock, with soaring vocals and intricate guitars. If you didn’t get there in time to catch Princess Rodeo, be sure to check them out.
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Live Review: Northern Brisbane Rollers Derby League – Season Two Bout One

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Review: Pepa Wolfe

Roller Derby   Northern Brisbane Rollers Derby League – Season Two Bout One
Love Rockettes vs. Diner Might Dolls
Saturday 17th April 2010 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

It’s official. Roller Derby fever has hit Brisbane. And with the way these girls tear up the track, is it any wonder that the sport/sub-culture is attracting new fans all the time?

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