The runaway hit of Brisbane Festival 2021, The Little Red Company’s SKYFALL: The Music of James Bond has renewed its licence to thrill in a return season at QPAC’s Playhouse from 18 – 21 May 2022.

Gorgeous gowns and sharp suits abound as a heart-stopping wall of sound and jaw-dropping special effects combine to pay homage to 007 exactly 60 years since first Bond film Dr No. was released in 1962. SKYFALL is sleeker than a high-speed luxury car chase and smoother than a vodka martini in a brand-new theatre experience starring Queensland’s glamorous first couple of song, Naomi Price and Luke Kennedy.

The formidable double-act is joined on stage each evening by a four-piece band, eight-piece brass section, dancers and the “queen” of all Bond villains.

In a thrill for audiences, each performance will also include two special guest vocalists, with the line-up changing every show.

Place your bets on which secret agents will stun and amaze including original cast members Lai Utovou and Irena Lysiuk, Helpmann Award-winning music theatre star Mat Verevis and Opera Queensland superstar soprano Rebecca Cassidy in her Little Red debut.

The vocal powerhouses will breathe new life into timeless Bond classics by icons Paul McCartney, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner and Tom Jones and recent chart-toppers by modern superstars Adele, Sam Smith and Billie Eilish.

“While each Bond artist has their distinctive sound, all of the great Bond theme songs have similar attributes: sweeping dynamic strings, a big brass section and lyrics that tackle epic themes like love, desire, separation and betrayal,” Price said.

“These songs hit high notes of danger and intrigue, of seduction and suggestion, and they share a sweeping, inimitable style that sets them well apart from other movie soundtracks.”

Wowing audiences with a show-stopping repertoire spanning the rock stylings of Chris Cornell to the soulful melodies of Gladys Knight, Kennedy will again don his tuxedo for a grand SKYFALL entrance.

“Those high-rollers who joined us for SKYFALL’s debut last year know we don’t only shake and stir, but surprise and delight music lovers and fans of the high-octane film franchise,” he said.

Skyfall
18 – 21 May 2022
QPAC – Playhouse, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au/

Press your tuxedo, polish the Aston Martin, and conceal your weapon – this show is licensed to thrill!

Swing hits, brass blasts and fresh arrangements of hit theme songs from the incomparable 007 franchise take audiences deep inside the high rollers’ room where stakes are high and martinis are dry.

Queensland’s leading couple of song, Naomi Price (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ladies in Black) and Luke Kennedy (The Voice Australia, Swing on This), exude style and swagger in this unmissable homage to the spy who loved us.

They are joined by The Little Red Company’s incredible band of double agents and formidable femmes in a seductive evening of entertainment that will leave you shaken and stirred.

Skyfall
South Bank Piazza, Brisbane
14 – 18 September 2021
www.brisbanefestival.com.au

The feeling lingers that they started with an overall direction for the Craig films but ended up taking too many diversions along the way. Some of the reveals are far from the surprise the filmmakers intended. Also extending the realism and casting Bond as more human and less the gadget guy has worked with only half of the four films. This sombre realism worked well with Casino Royale and Skyfall, less so with Quantum of Solace and Spectre.

Even though Craig is contracted for one more film in the franchise, there is a feeling of finality that is hard to shake. It starts with the opening credits that make far too many references to previous characters and extends to the more than ample number of scenes when Bond just seems resigned to his fate. Can’t the guy ever catch a break?

In a strange way, the film demands another viewing as you get over the slightly disappointing way the story unfolds first time around. There might be some detail or nuance that becomes apparent second time around that will make the experience richer. It also might be in the producers interest to agree to Craig’s stated preference to call it a day after the forth. Here’s to hoping that they are brave enough to really shake up the franchise with both storyline and casting next time around.

Rob Hudson
www.007.com