“Watching her gently peel back the petals of Chef’s soul to reveal its dark, tragic heart jogs muscle memory of “the first time…” experience of Blanchett or Snook or Debicki.
Mark the name Alice Birbara before she’s snapped up”
Reviews
“Birbara is pure undiluted power on the stage. She energetically straddles this moving story…with gripping physical, emotional and mental dexterity.”
Chef | 2023 | Sydney Scoop ★★★★★
“Recommended without reservation. Birbara remains grounded and compelling throughout flights of fancy, abuse, murder and mayhem, all in 50 minutes.”
Chef | 2023 | Dianna Simmonds ★★★★.5
“Birbara delivers an electrifying performance…her immersion in the role is palpable.”
Chef | 2023 | Limelight Magazine ★★★★
“a majestic performance by Alice Birbara…There are moments of wonderful physicality – Birbara brings a lithe, sinewy power to this role”
Chef | 2023| Arts Hub ★★★★
“Birbara absolutely shines as the one bright spot in this tale…it’s her journey that hits hardest despite happening on the side of the main plot.” -
Cherry Smoke | 2023 | Cultural Binge
Birbara is a consummate performer”
Cherry Smoke | 2023 | Stage Whispers
a stirring musical drama”
In Our Blood | 2023 | The Guardian
“Ingeniously, the narrative weaves in a Greek Chorus of chameleon performers (Adriano Cappalletta, Nic Prior, Tomas Parrish, Alice Birbara), who break the fourth wall imparting necessary history points to the viewer and, joyously, bursting into song (…) it’s one of the drama’s many pleasures” -
In Our Blood | 2023 | TV Tonight
Birbara impresses…Physically, vocally and emotionally, everything gels. It’s an excellent performance..”
Chef | 2022 | Audrey Journal ★★★★
“Birbara’s vocal work is simply outstanding, every word is clear and heard without effort and the accent is flawless characterisation….confronting close-up theatre with an intimacy that only acting of the finest quality can create.”
Chef | 2022 | Reviews by Judith
“The strength in this production lies in actor Alice Birbara’s dynamic performance, which is full of conviction and complexity….Birbara has the challenging task of engaging the audience all on her own, but she does so with great skill and charisma.”
Chef | 2022 | Theatre Travels
“She is a striking presence. Alice confidently balances the nuances of this, often, poetic text in an understated and focused performance that keeps us hooked. I hope we get to see more of Alice Birbara in future productions.”
Chef | 2022 | Theatre Now
“Alice Birbara’s performance is inviting and endearing…Approaching every new anecdote and realisation with compassion and intense honesty, Birbara’s Chef is my new favourite recipe.”
Chef | 2022 | Toasting Aussie Theatre
“the ensemble cast of five truly makes this show unmissable. Dropping passionate monologues as easily as perfectly timed comedic lines, Megan Bennetts, Alice Birbara, Alana Birtles, Audrey Blyde, and Sarah Jane Kelly all give flawless performances”
Picnic at Hanging Rock | 2020 | State of the Art
"Birbara gives a captivating performance - her Azdak is indulgent, wild and fiercely moral."
The Caucasian Chalk Circle | 2019 | Intermission Bristol
“Birbara plays Azdak as an over-sensualise, cocaine snorting libertine, outrageously self-indulgent, yet with a sharp, intelligent sense of justice. It’s a magnetic, shamelessly OTT performance.” -
The Caucasian Chalk Circle | 2019 | Stage Talk Magazine
“It’s the Act 2 emergence of Alice Birbara’s Dionysian, pan-sexual judge Azdak that the night really comes alive. Her Coke snorting, rock star inflected turn brings out the key Brechtian elements of showbiz razzmatazz and a cocked eyebrow to its audience as if to suggest complicity in its abundance.”
The Caucasian Chalk Circle | 2019| Kris Hallett
“Birbara is excellent in this complex and challenging role...very well acted, Constellations is a terrific show”
Constellations | 2018 | Sydney Arts Guide
“Birbara shines as Mairead"
The Lieutenant of Inishmore | 2018 | Audrey Journal
“A stellar performance...Birbara excels in this kind of intimate drama...The emotional choices this artist makes to bring depth to her character are rigorous, subtextual and revealing.”
Bitch Boxer | 2017 | Sydney Arts Guide
“Alice Birbara plays Ivan with intensity and presence and her Inquisitor speech is resolutely powerful”
Brothers Karamazov | 2017| Sydney Arts Guide
“a stellar performance…Birbara radiates intelligence….when she looks you in the eye, the emotion is searing …once again she commands the stage."
Grounded | 2016| Sydney Arts Guide