John Shand Posts

May 22, 2025 / Concert Reviews - Archive

The Soda Factory, May 13 8/10 Imagine if those trying to sell Newcastle as a tourist destination had sent silverchair overseas, or those selling Sydney sent Midnight Oil, or those selling Melbourne used Hiatus Kaiyote right now. That would be much too radical when we have beaches, reefs, a rock…

May 19, 2025 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Wharf 1 Theatre, May 9 8/10 The greatest roles allow for endless revelations. The corollary is that no Winnie in Happy Days will ever be perfect, any more than any Hamlet will be. The role’s scope is too vast. Despite playwright Samuel Beckett’s best efforts to corral actors into playing…

May 14, 2025 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Ensemble Theatre, May 7 7.5/10 You know when you walk in on an existing conversation, and automatically try to connect threads of what’s being said? These two one-act plays by Harold Pinter are similar to that. No playwright was more influenced by Samuel Beckett, yet where Beckett gave us glimpses…