
The opening two numbers in Dogfight had the whole audience whistling and hooting their applause. It started small, with Hillary Cole’s crystalline voice singing a folksy, acoustic solo, and segues into a high octane routine by the boys from the marines.

Effie is looking for love, and times are tough. She has been through a lot, even had a baby girl (via the divinity of Immaculate Conception) and still cannot seem to find the man of her dreams.

Supported by her first class trio ensemble, the incandescent Ali McGregor is smokin’ hot cabaret perfection.

American stand-up comic, Pablo Francisco, has returned to Australian shores for the 4th time to deliver his manic comedy routine to adoring fans. In this particular show, Here We Go Again (Back in the Outback) he trials his new animated skits with partner-in-crime, Steve Kramer.

Its an at times grotesque satire of corporate society, full of prurient machismo, greed and moral compromise. It asks what happens to women who compete in a man’s world? Can they get what they want? And at what price?

Five Properties of Chainmale is by no means perfect. But it’s fun nonetheless and the insights are real.

What happens to us without close, supportive affectionate bonds? What part of ourselves is lost? Can it be recovered? These questions are at the heart of Lyle Kessler’s rivetting play Orphans (1983) on now at the Old Fitz.