Perth Walkabout - The Insider's Guide to Perth Western Australia

The Comprehensive A-Z of Missing Persons in Australia by WA Youth Theatre Company

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 22 November 2024

On a balmy Thursday evening, I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of “The Comprehensive A-Z of Missing Persons in Australia” (“A-Z”) at the Liberty Theatre in the Perth CBD with a friend.

As we sat in the foyer of the once dormant Liberty Theatre at Barrack St chatting away pre show, we observed the many sheets of A4 paper pinned wall to wall listing the names of missing persons.

Each year approximately 55,000 Australians go missing and many are never found – the first 48 hours is critical for finding a missing person.

The dimly lit stage of the theatre with distressed flaking paint adorning the walls was suddenly brought to life as the group of young actors burst onto the stage with their energetic dance routine – an interesting start to a serious topic.

The story revolves around Em a radio host who knows only too well what it is like to live with a missing loved one. She keeps herself busy with her radio job but in the background is the constant whirring in her mind about her friend that went missing, along with frequent visits from a Tasmanian Tiger who befriends her.

A Quick Guide to Perth Beaches along West Coast Drive

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 28 October 2024

On a warm sunny day in Perth we headed up to the beaches along the West Coast Highway and West Coast Drive. The beaches are always buzzing with action day or night – whether it be people walking along the coastal path, swimming, surfing or just hanging out at one of the local eateries.

Starting with Trigg Beach, the surfies are dotted on the water, bobbing up and down, sitting on their boards – waiting to catch the perfect wave.

The sidewalks along Trigg Beach are busy with people dining at Island Market Trigg with beautiful views overlooking the ocean, or at Canteen Trigg for a casual meal alfresco – think poke trays, burgers, a selection of seafood dishes and the quintessential (classic) fish and chips.

If you are planning a picnic with family and friends, Clarko Reserve nearby to Trigg has plenty of nice grassy areas and BBQ facilities, shaded areas and picnic tables – space enough for everyone.

Runt based on the novel by Craig Silvey hits the screen at Luna

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Published: 18 September 2024

On a mild spring evening my partner and I wandered down to Luna Leederville to watch a preview of Runt – the movie based on Craig Silvey's critically acclaimed novel. Having watched the trailer but not read the book, I was expecting a film aimed squarely at young children, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Runt is a film for the whole family, adults included.

Runt tells the story of eleven year old Annie Shearer (Lily LaTorre) and her family, who are struggling to save their family farm (in Upson Downs, Western Australia) from the clutches of the local property magnate, Earl Robert-Barren (Jack Thompson). It hasn't rained for over a year and Earl has built a dam on his property which is hoarding all the water from the properties downstream, including the Shearer's farm.

Annie’s Dad Bryan (Jai Courtney) is trying to keep the farm going while harbouring a secret passion in his mysterious locked shed.

The Children by Black Swan State Theatre Company

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 29 August 2024

The-Children-Black-Swan

As my partner and I entered through the doors of the State Theatre Centre of WA, the foyer was abuzz with patrons heading upstairs to watch the opening night of The Children by Black Swan State Theatre Company.

The story line of The Children revolves around elderly couple Hazel (Nicola Bartlett) and Robin (Humphrey Bower) – seemingly enjoying their idyllic days in retirement at their country cottage after having long and successful careers as nuclear scientists at the power plant up the road.

But all is not as it seems – as their working life ended abruptly with a freak giant wave that hit and wrecked the power plant and led them to get away from it all.

An unexpected visit from ex-colleague Rose (Caroline Brazier) brings back memories too vividly of events that occurred before it all turned into disaster.

The Children is a captivating and thought provoking piece

Last Summer at Luna

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 23 August 2024

I was lucky enough to preview the French movie Last Summer (L'Été dernier) by director and writer Catherine Breillat before it hits the cinemas at Luna Palace.

Happy families – that’s the appearance that we get when we are introduced to the life of successful and affluent couple Anne (Léa Drucker) and Pierre (Olivier Rabourdin) with their 2 young adopted daughters Serena and Angela.

Then a wild storm blows into their happy household in the form of Theo (Samuel Kircher), a son from Pierre’s previous marriage. Theo is a belligerent and unruly teenager who has been forced to come live with his Dad’s new family who are perfect strangers to him. He has little regard for his new parents and siblings – doing as he pleases till he crosses the line with Anne who in turn reciprocates.

Momenta by Sydney Dance Company at State Theatre Centre of WA

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Published: 01 August 2024

My friend and I chatted away whilst waiting for the performance of momenta to begin, we were in awe at the magnificence of the Heath Ledger Theatre with all its beautiful wooden panelling and surrounds.

Let your imagination run wild and its good for your soul were the words of Richard as he introduced the momenta production on its opening night.

Momenta is a visual and sensory delight – bodies merging and synchronised to perfectly choreographed music by Rafael Bonachela.

I enjoyed the undulations between a futuristic setting with a mechanistic beat contrasted against the classical music sets with violins tearing at the heartstrings and eliciting the poignancy of heightened emotion and sadness.

Beautifully sculptured bodies - strong and agile at the same time - swept together in dual and triple formations on the stage, and at other times a fusion of all the dancers meeting together forming an ephemeral quality as they dissolved into the shimmering light merged as one.

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GET THE PERTH WALKABOUT NEWSLETTER

The Comprehensive A-Z of Missing Persons in Australia by WA Youth Theatre Company

A Quick Guide to Perth Beaches along West Coast Drive

Runt based on the novel by Craig Silvey hits the screen at Luna

The Children by Black Swan State Theatre Company

Last Summer at Luna

Momenta by Sydney Dance Company at State Theatre Centre of WA