John Shand Posts

July 24, 2025 / Theatre Reviews

Wharf 1 Theatre, July 17 7/10 Annie Baker can make a play out of minimal words and minuscule gestures. The effect borders on shock because we’re so used to huge emotions with titanic consequences. You have to readjust; put your antennae on higher alert. Baker wrote two of this century’s…

July 19, 2025 / Concert Reviews

State Theatre, July 10 7.5/10 What a blessing and curse it is to be the progeny of legend. The primary place in music history of the likes of Tina Sinatra, Jason Bonham, Mercer Ellington and Julian Lennon has almost inevitably become being their famous parent’s offspring. Lisa Simone has faced…

July 13, 2025 / Album Reviews

Zenith (Lamplight) 8/10 Some people hate pigeons, but in flight a flock can mesmerise with their abrupt turns, take-offs and landings, without ever banging wings. How clumsy we seem, by comparison. Well, not all. Saxophonists Sandy Evans and Andrew Robson, bassist Brett Hirst and drummer Hamish Stuart can curl and…