Arts & Entertainment

Amazing Raffles

Raffles Hotel in Singapore has a long-standing reputation of being one of the world’s most iconic and storied hotels. And its ranking amongst the world’s best has only been enhanced by recent multi-million-dollar restorations. Previously we’d only visited Raffles for a Singapore Sling in the historic Long Bar or to browse the boutique shopping gallery, … Read more Amazing Raffles

My 2019 Frequent Flyer Report Card

Use my Points checklist to make sure YOU are collecting points from all the sources and activities on offer from Qantas and its partners.Read more My 2019 Frequent Flyer Report Card

Monteverde Costa Rica Blog

Monteverde is a small, windy town high in the Costa Rican “cloud forest”. It is essentially a tourist town, hub for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and extreme sports. Parts of the town are typically Costa Rican, with makeshift store fronts and dogs roaming the streets. But the centre has developed a decidedly hipster vibe, … Read more Monteverde Costa Rica Blog

San Jose Blog

Ah San Jose, what can I say about you? You’re not the prettiest capital city I’ve ever seen…. but you just might be the ugliest.In fairness, arriving on New Year’s Day when everything is closed and the clean up from the night before is still to begin, probably won’t make the best first impression for … Read more San Jose Blog

Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Four hours from the unremarkable capital San Jose you’ll find a beautiful natural paradise in Manuel Antonio National Park. We are staying in Quepos, a small town just 7km from the park entrance and an array of wonderful dark sand beaches. Public buses run every 20 minutes to a public beach outside the park. There’s … Read more Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Sweeney Menaces Melbourne

June 26, 2019brettaway

Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne 23rd July

Anthony Warlow starred in this short-run production of Stephen Sondheim’s Gothic classic Sweeney Todd – and he was in stellar form. He brought menace and gravitas to the role, as well as his renowned voice. It was a world class performance.

Playing opposite Warlow’s Sweeney Todd, Gina Riley also turned in a top class performance. A comedienne with a more than passable singing voice, she brought humour and heart to her role as the maniacal pie-maker Mrs Lovett.

Together Warlow and Riley evoked all the drama and comedy that Depp and Bonham-Carter couldn’t seem to find in the dreary 2007 movie version.

A fine supporting cast combined to deliver what was easily the best Sweeney Todd production I’ve seen – it gave me a new appreciation of this dark and murderous classic.

Look out for Warlow in Jekyll and Hyde – one show only in each of Melbourne and Sydney later in the year.

This Story is still cutting edge – 10/10

April 7, 2019April 22, 2019brettaway

Bernstein and Sondheim’s Westside Story is now playing at the Arts Centre Melbourne. This was the first time I’ve seen this show on stage and it felt as new and exciting as it must have been when it opened on Broadway in 1957. It has since garnered a reputation as the best musical of all time and it would be hard to argue against that claim.

This production uses Jerome Robbins original Tony winning choreography, and the Australian cast do it proud. The show delivers one killer dance routine after another, and is an integral part of the story telling.

Bernstein’s music combine with Sondheim’s lyrics and Robbins choreography to redefine the genre. It really is that good.

If you’ve never seen West Side Story on stage you should get to the Arts Centre before this show closes.