Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - Page 79
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Radio: Latest Victorian industry news ............... Page 80 Julie Houghton: Melbourne arts news .................. Page 81 The Spoiler: For those who have the plot .................. Page 81 Jim and Aaron: Latest on videos and DVDs .................. Page 82 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ............ Page 83 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA US actor Nilaja Sun at Theatre Works
By CHERYL THREADGOLD ■ CLOC Musical Theatre is the first amateur theatre company in the world to stage Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom Of The Opera. And what a show this is! There could surely be no other nonprofessional company with the same resources and talent to match CLOC's magnificent production being presented at the National Theatre, St Kilda, until May 25. The historic venue provides ideal theatrical atmosphere, and the comfortable-sized seating capacity allows the audience to connect well with the show. The wonderful cast, stunning sets designed by Brenton Staples, lavish, authentic costumes designed by Nerissa Saville, Stelios Karagiannis's lighting design, sound design by Marcello Lo Ricco, and make-up by Louise Jenkins, all significantly contribute to this outstanding production. Bravo to director Chris Bradtke for his brilliant direction and staging, musical director Andy McCalman's orchestra for beautifully rendered music, and to choreographer Wendy Belli and her dancers for precise, refreshing balletic choreography. Laura Slavin is exquisite as Christine Daaé. Her glorious singing voice, acting and dancing are a delight. Laura's personal time management deserves credit too - she juggles rehearsals and performances with working long hours as medical registrar in a major public hospital! Toby Truscott brings his splendid singing voice and acting to the role of The Phantom, skilfully defining the character as an impressively powerful, yet tragic figure.
Di’s very full dance card
● Nilaja Sun is performing a one-woman show, No Child, at Theatre Works ■ A mega-talented actor is currently in town, wowing fullhouses, and receiving standing ovations. Following her sell-out season last year in the Melbourne Festival, American writer-performer Nilaja Sun has returned to present her one-woman show No Child at Theatre Works, St Kilda until May 19, under the direction of Hal Brooks. Sun brilliantly interweaves theatrical commentary on the New York City public school system, with ingenious portrayals of 16 different characters, ranging from the elderly school janitor who cleverly sets the scene in the beginning, to her colourful, ‘academically and emotionally challenged’ students and various fellow teachers. And then there is the delightful Miss Sun, a drama teacher who needs to repay a bank debt, and comes to the school to produce a play with the unruly tenth grade students. Sun uses her own teaching experience in some of New York’s toughest schools to highlight the teaching profession as “one of the hardest, underpaid jobs in this crazy universe”. We hear the school has armed guards, armed Police and metal detectors, and Miss Sun questions whether the students are being prepared for jail, rather than to become leaders. It is easy to see why Sun has already won 21 awards for creating and performing No Child, with its witty humour, social observation and emotionally powerful content. It is, however, Nilaja Sun’s dynamic, high-powered performing talent, switching instantly between characters on an empty stage with a few chairs, that captivates her audience during the 60-minute performance. A truly memorable theatre experience. Performance season: Until May 19 Times: Tues-Sat 8.00pm, Wed and Thurs at 1pm, Sun at 5pm Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda Tickets: $45/$35. $40 groups 10+ plus booking fee. Bookings: 9534 3388 or theatreworks.org.au - Review by Cheryl Threadgold
● Di Rolle’s column - from Page 8 ■ They sold 40 million records worldwide and were the first group to knock The Beatles from the number one spot on the Billboard charts. Melbourne International Jazz Festival - some concerts that might appeal: Cassandra Wilson - Crowned “America’s Best Singer” in 2001 by Time magazine, vocalist Cassandra Wilson is bringing her unique brand of jazz, vintage blues, country and folk music to Hamer Hall for her first Australian appearance in almost a decade. The Mississippi-born singer, songwriter and guitarist was a founding member of the soul-funk outfit M-Base Collective before launching her stellar solo career. Her landmark 1993 Blue Note release Blue Light Til Dawn paved the way for a new generation of jazz singers, and was recently named one of The Guardian’s 50 key events in the history of jazz. Renowned Cuban pianist, composer and bandleader Chucho ● MissValdés, is one of the most popular exponents of Latin jazz in the world. A tireless innovator, and winner of five Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys, Chucho Valdés will perform his irresistibly exuberant music with the Afro- Cuban Messengers at the newly-refurbished Hamer Hall. Chucho Valdés will also share his stories from an inspiring five-decade journey In Conversation with Gerry Koster (ABC Classic FM). In yet another festival exclusive, 774’s Roaring Swing takes you back to the 1920s when the gangsters ran the nightlife and the Charleston ruled the dance floor. Two of Melbourne’s most explosive bands Michael McQuaid and his Red Hot Rhythmakers, and Leigh Barker and the New Sheiks will have the Melbourne Town Hall quaking. Friday night’s Opening Gala concert at St Kilda's Palais Theatre, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, features special guest Mahalia Barnes alongside 2012 ARIA Awardwinning vocalist/pianist Sarah McKenzie with formidable jazz vocalist and improviser Michelle Nicolle, reinterpreting era-defining rock classics and pop anthems such as House Of The Rising Sun, Yellow Taxi and Sunshine of Your Love. Then home to kick my heels off and have a cuppa! Phew, there is so much happening. - Di Rolle
● Tony Truscott (The Phantom), Laura Slavin (Christine) and Patrick Hill (Raoul) in CLOC Musical Theatre's The Phantom Of The Opera, at the National Theatre until May 25. Photo: Richard Crompton Patrick Hill is first-class as the young, romantic lead, Raoul, as is Beryle Frees, the elegant, all-knowing ballet mistress, Madame Giry. Samantha Du Rennes (Carlotta Guidicelli), Julian Dunham (Ubaldo Piangi), Scott Hili (Richard Firmin), Tim Minturn (Gilles André) and Lucinda Barratt (Meg Giry) are all terrific in their roles, as is the versatile ensemble. The only 'amateur' element of this show is that the cast and crew don't get paid! Congratulations to CLOC Musical Theatre on triumphing with a spectacular production of The Phantom Of The Opera. Season: Until May 25 Venue: National Theatre, St Kilda Bookings: 1300 362 547. www.cloc.org.au - Review by Cheryl Threadgold
Love Is My Sin ■ Described as “a duet that explores the anatomy of love which ... illuminates the vagaries of relationships,” (Separation, Jealousy, Betrayal and the Cruel Changes wrought by Time) Love Is My Sin is the legendary Peter Brooks’s original dramatisation of 29 Shakespearean sonnets. Shakespearean sonnets are written in iambic pentameter, and coupled with breathtaking imagery, the result is measured lyrical beauty. This metre was well handled by actors Jenny Lovell and Geoff Wallis, but more confident inflections and mellower voices would have added depth. Helen Barclay’s pleasant cello, indicated mood or theme change. Director Kate Herbert’s decision to use a harsh minimalist white set suited the first sequence particularly, when there was a feeling almost of a ‘sonnet off!’ as Lovell and Wallis sparred with each other selecting and reading sonnets from books and notes; later moving to memorised text as relationship emerged and recriminations were left behind. The occasional writing of headings on boards helped the audience follow the changing pattern of loves’ vagaries. Perhaps it was the proximity of the actors as they conversed via sonnet, or the speed with which they moved to new sonnets, but sometimes the beauty and complexity of dialogue seemed elusive – or perhaps that was Herbert’s intention, to reflect the transience of love … “Like as the waves make toward the pebbled shore So do our minutes hasten to their end ...” But the final “Let not the marriage of true minds admit impediment..” spoken by both was particularly effective in delivery and projection. This was brave and worthy theatre, but just didn’t quite rise to lyrical elegance in “the struggle to make evanescent things … defy life’s inevitable endings.” Performance season: Until May 19 Times: Wed, Fri at 6.30pm, Thur, Sat at 8.30pm, Sun 4pm Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton. Tickets: $25/$15 Bookings: 9347 6142 or www.lamama.com.au - Review by Maggie Morrison