Welcome to Seesaw Magazine’s new monthly gig guide! Each month we’ll be filling you in on our top picks from across the arts spectrum.

This month Seesaw Editor Nina Levy shares her recommendations for May 2022.

Ballet

Alice (in wonderland)

I’ve previously reviewed West Australian Ballet‘s Alice (in wonderland) as “a charismatic concoction of mad-cap music, aerobatic puppetry and ballet that blends neoclassical and contemporary styles with a giant dollop of crazy.” Suffice to say Alice (in Wonderland) comes highly recommended.

From neon-pink flamingos to a hypercolour Mad Hatter Tea Party, every character is gorgeously choreographed, costumed and scored.

Alice (in Wonderland) plays His Majesty’s Theatre, 6-21 May 2022.

Contemporary dance

Short Cuts

I love an opportunity to see dance works-in-progress and STRUT Dance’s “Short Cuts” season invites audiences to do just that. After 20 hours in the studio, independent local artists present two mixed-bill programs of short new works at the King Street Arts Centre.

It’s a tasting plate of dance hors d’oeuvres and you never know when you’re going to see the first stage of something destined for greater things – a fragment of Emma Fishwick’s Slow Burn, Together, which went on to premiere at Perth Festival in 2021, was once presented at “Short Cuts”.

Short Cuts plays King Street Arts Centre, 19 May – 21 May 2022

Jazz

Jazz in the theatre: Barney McAll (NYC)

Jazz aficionados will be excited to catch ARIA-winning jazz pianist and composer Barney McAll, who will be playing with WAAPA’s jazz students. McAll has returned to Australia after 20 years living in New York City, where he worked with the likes of Gary Bartz, Dewey Redman, Josh Roseman and Fred Wesley, as well as pop star Sia.

This show promises to take advantage of McAll’s trademark versatility as well as the talents of WAAPA’s jazz students, and features big bands, vocal ensembles and piano trios. 

“Jazz in the theatre: Barney McAll” plays WAAPA’s Geoff Gibbs Theatre, 6 May 2022.

Literature

Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival

With a line-up that includes Geoffrey Robertson QC, Jane Caro, Kathy Lette, Julia Baird, Heather Morris, Saul Griffith and Lynne McGranger and more, I’m very tempted to make the drive down South for this one. Whether you an avid reader, writer or both, the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival has something for you, from author talks to writers workshops, networking events to art installations and performances. International and interstate guests will be making live-streamed appearances, with WA writers live and in-the-flesh.

Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival takes place 13-15 May 2022

Musical Theatre

Jagged Little Pill

Featuring hits such as “You Oughta Know”, “Head Over Feet”, “Hand in my Pocket” and “Ironic”, the musical Jagged Little Pill is inspired by Alanis Morissette’s acclaimed rock album of the same name.

While the cast is impressive, it’s the choreographer that’s got me excited, none other than the internationally renowned Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Even if you’re not familiar with his contemporary dance repertoire, you might have come across his work as a collaborator with Beyonce.

Jagged Little Pill was originally scheduled to open in May at Crown Perth but has been postponed – new dates have not yet been arranged.

Theatre

Toast

Last year Black Swan State Theatre Company and The Blue Room Theatre piloted a new partnership, designed to create opportunities for local independent theatre makers to develop their craft and present their work to a wider audience. Toast, by local playwright Liz Newell, is the second iteration of that partnership, and promises to be just as engaging as its predecessor, Playthings. Focusing on three sisters dealing with the sudden death of their mother, Toast is described by Black Swan as a “funny and charming work about the family we’re given and the family we choose for ourselves”.

Toast plays the State Theatre Centre of WA, 5-15 May 2022

Visual arts

Little Looks

If you haven’t discovered Goolugatup Heathcote art gallery yet then you’re in for a treat. Its views over the Derbarl Yerrigan/Swan River are gorgeous but head inside and you’ll find and an annual program that features some of Perth’s most exciting makers.

In May you can see “Little Looks” in the main gallery, a new exhibition by Carla Adams. Known for her vibrantly coloured and textured works, Adams imagines intimate memories and fleeting moments as tangible objects in “Little Looks”.

Also showing at Goolagatup this month is “Putting on Clown Makeup” by Walylup/Fremantle-based multidisciplinary artist Pascale Giorgi. 

“Little Looks” by Carla Adams and “Putting on Clown Makeup” by Pascale Giorgi will show at Goolugatup Heathcote Art Gallery, 29 April – 12 June 2022.

Pictured top: Carla Adams, ‘Yearning and Longing’, 2022, polyester cord, acrylic eyes, lava stone and glass beads. 32 x 27cm each.