Penny Shaw, Author at Seesawmag

Reviews

“Frenzied, furious, and gorgeous”: Verdi Requiem at Winthrop Hall

11 September 2025

Verdi Requiem at Winthrop Hall is frenzied, furious, and the gorgeous acoustics reverberate with a sonic avalanche, writes Penny Shaw.

Reviews

BarbieQ brings Dolly sparkle to Koorliny

20 August 2025

Sequins, sass and a whole lot of heart — BarbieQ’s Dolly Parton tribute at Koorliny Arts Centre shone bright, writes Penny Shaw.

A singer in a dark green gown stands on red-carpeted steps, her arms reaching out. Behind her, a conductor leads a small orchestra. Young singers in full voice for opera allsorts

Reviews

Young singers in full voice for opera allsorts

20 June 2023

With 16 soloists, a 37-piece orchestra and a wonderfully varied repertoire, this opera gala is worth singing about, writes Penny Shaw.

A guitarist with long blonde hair tips her head back, absorbed in the music. She is surrounded by musicians, a conductor with his back to the audience on the podium next to her. This is Karin Schaupp performing with WASO. A superb taste of Spain

Reviews

A superb taste of Spain

22 April 2023

Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads a playful WASO through some Spanish flavours, with Penny Shaw particularly taken by a thrilling interpretation of Rodrigo’s famous Adagio.

230301-The dress rehearsal for The Cage Project at the Perth Concert Hall. Cage Project. A man sits at the piano. We can see a collection of small items attached to the piano strings under the lid Sound and sculpture sync in new dimension

Reviews

Sound and sculpture sync in new dimension

4 March 2023

A visual representation of John Cage’s groundbreaking master work is a meditative journey through sound and emotion, writes Penny Shaw.

Contemporary Communication. A man sits at the piano as a group of people gather around with the arms raised The singer and the signer in perfect harmony

Reviews

The singer and the signer in perfect harmony

18 February 2023

Signing takes equal billing with singing in this unique production, delivering an enthralling and moving piece of theatre, writes Penny Shaw.

A large group of musicians and singers dressed in formal wear stand on a stage, looking out toward the audience. They are taking a bow after a performance. They are the St George's Cathedral Consort and Orchestra of St George, acknowledging the audience after a performance of Samson. Consort and friends raise mighty Samson

Reviews

Consort and friends raise mighty Samson

9 December 2022

While the soloists shine brightly in Samson, Penny Shaw is captivated by the magnificent St George’s Cathedral Consort and orchestra.

Reviews

Literary tales told with a terrific twist

18 October 2022

There’s so much more to the story in this marvellous marriage of music and literature. Penny Shaw has a ball with Lit Live.

@stephenheathphotography The witch reveals her true colours, with Gretel throwing her hands in the air and Hansel locked in a cage. Feverish fairytale strikes the right note

Reviews

Feverish fairytale strikes the right note

12 September 2022

WAAPA’s evocative production of Hansel and Gretel shows the future of opera is in good hands, writes Penny Shaw.

Reviews

Plea for peace as powerful as ever

21 August 2022

A fine association between WASO and guests demonstrates that the chilling message in Britten’s War Requiem is as pertinent as when it was composed, writes Penny Shaw.

Always was, always will be…

Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. Continue

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Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
Continue