Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - Page 51
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Radio Confidential: Latest industry news ..... Page 52 Veritas: Local TV, radio, theatre gossip ............. Page 56 The Spoiler: For those who have lost the plot ....... Page 56 Jim and Aaron: Favourite movies, DVDs ................... Page 63 Cheryl Threadgold: Locall thjeatre shows, auditions ...... Page 66 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
FORVM: ‘FVNNY AS BVGGERY’ REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY OBSERVER EDITOR ASH LONG
● Geoffrey Rush at the after-show party THIS PHOTO: FORUM FACEBOOK PAGE BY MATT WATSON
■ There is something particularly special about a world-class Oscar-winning actor taking to the stage in his adopted home town to perform with and for the locals. Geoffrey Rush is the complete package - singing, dancing and joking - through the 1960s Burt Shevelove-Larry Gelbart farce, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. As Pseudolus, Toowoomba-born Rush, 61, makes his role look easy. It is relentlessly physical, but Rush never appears to tire of the toga driven romp alongside co-stars Shane Bourne (Senex), Magda Szubanksi (Domina), Christie Whelan (Philia), Hugh Sheridan (Hero), Mitchell Butel (Hysterium), Gerry Connolly (Marcus Lycus), Bob Hornery (Erronius) and Adam Murphy (Miles Gloriosus). In his performances, Rush effortlessly reminds Melburnians why he has won an Academy Award, a Tony, an Emmy, three BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He is at the top of his craft. Rush appears at the top of the show with symbols of comedy and tragedy, quickly extinguishing the tragedy. “Something familiar, Something peculiar, Something for everyone: A comedy tonight!” The cast make their various entrances: Szubanksi incorporates a few Fast Forward characters; Connolly channels Frank Throng; and Bourne adds his distinct-Aussie accent to ancient Rome. All contribute to the farce.
● Samatha Leigh-Dodemaide, Gerry Connolly and Melanie Hawkins
High-canp hijinx
● Kane Alexander and Ann Wood
Mitchell Butel steals the show with high-camp hijinx. Melbourne’s own darling, Christine Whelan, suitably renders Lovely. (Christie’s husband, Rohan Browne, is one of the three talented ‘eunichs’). In the audience was Geraldene Morrow (pictured right), who played Whelan’s character of Philia, in the Australian 1964 performance alongside Jack Gardiner, Richard Walker, Jack Collins and the same Bob Hornery. Bob milks the laughs. Not bad for a veteran who we guess might be well past his LXX-th birthday. The show’s score was created by Stephen Sondheim. One or two numbers, early in the show, are probably surplus to requirements. As I remarked in the Observer review for Promises Promises, producers may need to re-think these shows written for audiences half-a-century ago. Audiences are now conditioned to 60and 90-minute TV shows, and their shorter attention spans require faster moves. Producers and directors should not be afraid to trim the original books and scores. A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum is produced by John Frost. It is directed by Simon Phillips, who took to the stage on opening night to dedicate the last applause to the show’s publicist Suzie Howie who died on Thursday night. Other creatives include Associate Director Dean Bryant, Musical Director Mathew Frank and associate Simon Holt, Musical Supervisor Guy Simpson, incredible set and costume designer Gabriela Tylesova (who just continues to astound), and choreographer Andrew Hallsworth.
Theatrical memory
● Michael Wilkie with Mitchell Butel
I am found of quoting reviewer Simon Parris. He makes some sound points: the show’s marketing is unattractive; Hugh Sheridan participates in a pair of ‘I wish’ numbers; and “Brooke Synnott stands out in a jaw-dropping display of her incredible flexibility”. Yes, the show has some good-natured gratuitous bawdiness. For some that will be enough of a darwcard. In a severe review, Anne-Marie Peard of Aussie Theatre.com.au said: “I’ve really tried to like this show ... musically it’s forgettable ... it’s as satisfying as a bucket of fairy floss. Anne-Marie’s review was headed: “As good as it can be.” Funny Thing is much more than that. Not brilliant, but very good indeed. With tickets continually being promoted as cheap as $69, you will buy yourself a lifetime theatrical memory to reflect “I saw Geoffrey Rush in Forum at Her Majesty’s”. That alone justifies you buying a ticket in this limited 12-week run, at which time Rush heads to Europe for overseas filming assignments. Who knows? He may be headed for Rome. “This time it turns out all right.” - Ash Long
● Geraldene Morrow with Christie Whelan