Review Wrap Up | Mara
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Image: Sarah Clarke
Check out everything critics had to say about this magical production!
“Mara is a glorious reimagining of the Cinderella story.
Bravo to Hanna Pyliotis for crafting and composing such compelling prose and music with poise and alacrity.
In an inspired, bravura showing, performer Aurora Kurth plays all the roles, switching seamlessly from one to another, and singing all the songs.
Her vocal range and strength are quite something to behold – melodic, lyrical, superlative. Put simply, I am in awe of her talents.
So it is that I was utterly captivated by Mara, which will undoubtedly go down as one of the finds of the year.
I felt like a wide-eyed child again. I was deeply moved by the magic of storytelling, spoken and sung with such distinction.
Mara is a glorious production.”
“Mara is a triumph of re-imagining, cleverly talking and twisting is audience through the story of Cinderella, from the perspective of the so called evil step-mother.”
“It would be remiss to review this show without applauding the massive efforts of actress Aurora Kurth.”
What’s The Show ★★★★
“Kurth’s performance is empathetic, primarily as Mara, but shows incredible range. Her voice soars over Pyliotis’ and Reynolds’ original music.”
“The title role and supplementary cast are all portrayed by the captivating Aurora Kurth, a one woman show with a stage-hand style supporting actor and beautiful on-stage keys played by Ania Reynolds.”
“Jacques Cooney Adlard, the vision designer provides spellbinding projections.”
“Kurth’s performance is dynamic, drawing on her diverse background from circus to cabaret. Through an impressively unflagging, word-perfect 80 minutes, she successfully slips between Mara and minor roles such as her posh employers, their little girl and working-class housekeeper.”
“Daring and glorious.”
“A terrific demonstration of the merits of the By Theatre Works initiative.”
"It offers a darker, more introspective take on a story that most audiences think they know."
"[Kurth] moves her way between characters and different emotional states and tempos with energy and expert control."
"The premise is compelling. Mara is portrayed as a woman shaped by circumstance rather than simple cruelty."
"The minimal staging and lighting help to build Mara's world and tell a story that's intimate, but makes you feel a bit uneasy."
"The tone is somewhere between confession and a grand performance."
"Mara stands out as a thoughtful addition to Melbourne's independent theatre scene, rewriting the fairytale with a fresh angle."
"In Mara, Hanna Pyliotis questions myth, tradition, popular culture and fairytale by telling a familiar tale... from the point of view of a ‘given’, a stock figure, an unexamined stereotype: the Stepmother."
"Pyliotis’ narrative raises questions not usually asked. Is the stepmother ‘evil’? Why does she do as she does?"
"Kurth plays multiple characters with charm and skilful economy... all representations of the multiple roles women play in real life."
"The tale is punctuated by lines of dialogue that cause the audience to wince or gasp according to what stark reality is suddenly revealed."
"The soundscape and lighting design help catapult us into a world of make believe that feels oh so real."
"It remains curiously objective – a piece for thinking rather than feeling."
"Pyliotis and her skilled collaborators have created something highly fresh and original."
" a thoroughly theatrical show"
"The beating heart of this production and the jewel that makes it work so well is Aurora Kurth."
"Kurth absolutely shines as the titular character, the actor's own emotional range, talent and charm infusing... depth and childlike wonder needed to carry 80 minutes of performance flawlessly."
"Watching Kurth perform is ever a delight, and here once again she reminds us why she is one of the most talented and versatile darlings of the Australian entertainment industry."
"Her soaring crystalline vocals make the experience well worth the price of a ticket and then some."
"The script and the words cast their own kind of spell."
"Ania Reynolds' instrumental pieces and the mood music throughout the show was sublime."
"Visuals and set design by Megan Jones are stunning and complimentary."
"Lighting by industry legend Jason Bovaird is flawless as always."
"Kurth handles [fourth wall asides] with skill and aplomb... turning costume malfunctions into a masterclass on audience interaction."
"Mara is a worthy addition to this collection, with gorgeous visuals and music, and a performer that is always worth watching."
Theatre Matters ★★★★½
Mara closes this Saturday 2 May.
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