The Boys are in town – Review of Jersey Boys, Brisbane

Jersey Boys Brisbane Review

There was a hush around the theatre. Everyone was dead silent. And then it just exploded. So started the Jersey Boys story on the stage with everyone’s favourite tunes.

With a dramatic setting, a high value cast, and an engaging storyline, the Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons opened for its premier season in Brisbane at the Lyric theatre at QPAC.

What was intensely appealing was the way the story was narrated, engaging everyone, even those who hadn’t grown up with America’s answer to the Beatles. The narration by different cast members explained how the the brand of Jersey Boys was developed and the familiar tunes that we all know them by. How it was such a trial and error, how they found the sound. The narrator explained it, and the actors performed it. A seamless integrated blend of high value theatrics. Absolutely brilliant!

Perhaps it is a sign of the brilliant direction but everyone had their story to tell and the show featured that person’s views impeccably. Franki Valli’s story was the least important (in a way). More social drama than business drama.

Then the music itself! There was not one flat note. The vocal projections were superb. How did they ever find so many artists with such superb voices?

Intermission was welcome and in the second half you related to their exhaustion. The show just built on the story in the second half.

Hats off to the set designer (Klara Zieglerovaas). The props and the stage setup was amazing. Everything moved fluidly. Such artistry!

I couldn’t find anything that was wrong with the show. Appointment was amazing, the details were superb. The trademarks gestures were spot on.

Very uplifting and put you in a feel good moment. Captivating. And it is great story – well told – sad but uplifting. Everyone was on their feet at the end. Go see it.

What?

Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Where?

Lyric Theatre, QPAC

When?

July 14 – September 16

How?

http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Jersey_Boys_12.aspx?showTab=Overview

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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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