Monthly Archives: December 2015

Suzy Goes See’s Best Of 2015

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sgs2015b

Another year of 200 shows, with 182 reviewed for this blog. 2015 in Sydney was again an excellent year, and after my first ever visit to New York in May, I’m glad to report that theatre here is nothing less than world class. From independent to main stage, we do the best work that anyone can hope to see, and I am grateful for all the support that my blog receives from the community here. In addition to thanking everyone who has helped make Suzy Goes See a success, I would like to apologise to the lovely people who have put on shows this year that I had not been able to attend. I do wish that I could say yes to every invite, and will try harder next year to exceed that 200 mark! Have a lovely holiday season and a happy new year. Now on to the Best Of 2015 list (all in random order)…

Suzy x

♥ Avant Garde Angels
The bravest and most creative experimental works in 2015.

♥ Quirky Questers
The most unusual and colourful characters to appear on stage in 2015.

♥ Design Doyennes
Outstanding visual design in 2015. Fabulous lights, sets and costumes.

♥ Musical Marvels
Outstanding performers in cabaret and musicals in 2015.

♥ Second Fiddle Superstars
Scene-stealers of 2015 in supporting roles.

♥ Ensemble Excellence
Casts in 2015 rich with chemistry and talent.

♥ Champs Of Comedy
Best comedic performances of 2015.

♥ Daredevils Of Drama
Best actors in dramatic roles in 2015.

♥ Wise With Words
Best new scripts of 2015.

♥ Directorial Dominance
Best direction in 2015.

♥ Shows Of The Year
The mighty Top 10.

♥ Suzy’s Special Soft Spot
From the intimacy of the Old Fitz to the bigger auditoriums of Belvoir and the Opera House, his contribution to Sound Design in 2015 was simply outstanding.

  • Nate Edmondson, Sound Designer

End

Best of 2018 | Best of 2017 | Best of 2016 | Best of 2014 | Best Of 2013

Review: The Sound Of Music (Capitol Theatre)

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Venue: Capitol Theatre (Sydney NSW), Dec 13 – Jan 17, 2015
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Russel Crouse, Howard Lindsay
Director: Jeremy Sams
Cast: Johanna Allen, Lorraine Bayly, Eleanor Blythman, Du Toit Bredenkamp, Nakita Clarke, Savannah Clarke, Cameron Daddo, Jacqueline Dark, Philip Dodd, Louis Fontaine, Erica Giles, David James, Stefanie Jones, Amy Lehpamer, Dominica Matthews, Jude Padden-Row, Marina Prior, Madison Russo
Images by James Morgan

Theatre review
The Sound Of Music premièred on Broadway in 1959, which makes it a reasonable assumption that most of us had grown up with songs from the iconic musical, figuring prominently in each of our own musical education. Maria brought music to the Von Trapps, and also to lives of millions. Our familiarity with the songs in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s masterpiece is quite unparalleled, and although some of the show’s dialogue has long become archaic, its power over our cultural consciousness is second to none.

This manifestation for an Australian touring production is a straightforward one that presents no surprises. The text is unchanged, and all the trappings of a commercial musical are delivered efficiently. Sets transform with military precision, lighting evolves endlessly to take us through every mood change, and the last note to every song decides whether or not its audience should applaud. Everything is thoroughly refined, and the experience is orchestrated to a measured and mechanical perfection, but a cast in live theatre of course, will always be susceptible to some variation, even in the most immovable of productions like this one.

In the role of Maria is Amy Lehpamer, who delivers an impossibly flawless rendition of one of the most popular musical characters of all time. There is no denying the fact that viewers will gauge any actor taking on the part against the legendary film version, but Lehpamer easily meets our expectations, with deeply impressive technical abilities and a presence so warm that every last punter in the nosebleed section cannot help but be won over. She is glorious from prologue to curtain call, with an effortlessness that only a true star of the stage can portray. Similarly fabulous is Jacqueline Dark, whose Mother Abbess is simultaneously commanding and endearing, memorable for her astoundingly powerful singing in “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”. Cameron Daddo’s vocals are thankfully adequate, and while not a scene-stealing performance, his work as Captain Georg von Trapp is often believable and surprisingly moving, aided by a cast of enchanting youngsters who play his children with irresistible cuteness and brilliant conviction.

The anti-Nazi story in The Sound Of Music provides a gravity that helps set it apart from the often excessively frivolous quality of its genre. It is ironic that the entirety of its very large cast is of Caucasian appearance, but the show’s message is unambiguous. We think about the meaning of freedom, and its primary importance in any life. We think about the magic that comes from great music and great art, and how our humanity cannot be divorced from the wonderful capacity of song that brings hope to the darkest of days. When things are not going well, we can find ourselves caged in by fear, but it is our human ability to imagine something better that gives us resilience and ingenuity. In our weakest moments, the simplest of lyrics will lift us up; “Follow ev’ry rainbow till you find your dream.”

www.soundofmusictour.com

The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre
The Sound Of Music 2015 Capitol Theatre

Review: They’ve Already Won (Belvoir St Theatre)

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theyvealreadywonVenue: Belvoir St Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Dec 8 – 20, 2015
Playwrights: Harriet Gillies, Pierce Wilcox
Directors: Harriet Gillies, Pierce Wilcox
Cast: Harriet Gillies, Pierce Wilcox
Image by Mitch Lee

Theatre review
Art can find a way to represent the state of our collective consciousness as it stands, so that we may achieve an understanding of life, while remaining embroiled within. They’ve Already Won is about the now, and how individuals in societies such as ours, deal with the new face of media and its pervasiveness. It explores the interactivity of technology, and exposes the nature of our participation in the digital world, with all its anxieties and intellectual challenges.

As barriers to information and truth begin to crumble, we are forced to encounter pessimism like never before. Harriet Gillies and Pierce Wilcox’s play is about the way we respond to this incessant profusion of bad news arriving through all our screens, and how it dominates and shapes our culture as it stands today. The show addresses us directly, beginning almost like a lecture with Gillies orchestrating visual projections and sound cues, and Wilcox gesturing to illustrate their assertions, but thankfully, things turns increasingly fluid in style as they proceed. The work is beautifully considered and idiosyncratic, with rich content that will ring true and provoke. There are unusual and refreshing modes of expression in its staging, with a string of amusing scenes and surprising concepts. Execution of ideas could be more polished, but the production is ultimately an impressive one that offers a generous serving of food for thought.

They’ve Already Won can be seen as a political work, but it also allows us to be apathetic. It accurately reflects the confusion of modern life, revealing to us that the more we know, the less we know what to do. It is a feeling of helplessness that co-exists with a passion for betterment, an everyday duality that pulls in different directions. We can leave the show determined to be unfazed, but reality is tumultuous and we will be moved regardless.

www.belvoir.com.au

Review: Dropped (The Goods Theatre Company)

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redlineVenue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Dec 8 – 20, 2015
Playwright: Katy Warner
Director: Anthony Skuse
Cast: Deborah Galanos, Olivia Rose
Image by Christine Chahoud

Theatre review
Two soldiers are in a war zone, boots on the ground as it were. They are buddies, joined at the hip, supporting each other through the calamity in which they find themselves. Life could hardly be more vulnerable or dangerous, but they are upbeat, perhaps a result of the training they had received, or the innate strength that they had brought to their vocation. They also seem to be losing their minds a little. In their struggle for survival, the women let themselves drift in and out of fantasy, and we never know for sure which of their dialogue is fact, or fiction; it is all too distant from our comfy vantage point.

Katy Warner’s script is ambitious and difficult. Dropped is at times abstract, often turning surreal, and even though it offers effective points of reference for a sense of coherence, the play can be disorienting. It contains sentimental elements to help with an emotional connection, but Anthony Skuse’s direction seems to steer the show for a cerebral experience, attempting to engage our logic instead. The production is a polished one, with Verity Hampson’s lights especially memorable, but it is also alienating. It talks about hope and death, themes that are unquestionably universal, but its profundity escapes us.

Accomplished performances by Deborah Galanos and Olivia Rose keep the energy up, and their palpable commitment to the challenging parts is admirable. Galanos’ sincerity and Rose’s vivacity are appropriately showcased, making their respective characters affable, in spite of the unimaginably horrific circumstance they portray.

It is a new realisation that we no longer live in peaceful times. Stories about war and disaster must now come to the fore, and our consciousness must be reminded of the horrors that many are facing. It is unacceptable to hide behind delusions while our worlds are experiencing carnage. If we send people off to fight, the least we could do is to observe the bloodshed. The damage is real. As long as we fail to find solutions, we must all suffer the consequences.

www.thegoodstheatrecompany.com.au

Review: Swansong (Red Line Productions)

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redlineproductionsVenue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Dec 1 – 5, 2015
Playwright: Connor McDermottroe
Director: Greg Carroll
Cast: Andre de Vanny

Theatre review
Occi is a young man in Ireland, suffering from mental illness and an uncontrollable tendency for violence. He does have moments of tranquillity though, and in between those two extremes, we discover qualities of a complex character that simultaneously repulses and attracts us. It is a tale about isolation, and therefore a statement about community. The monsters that live amongst us are cultivated by the forces surrounding them, and our complicity in the development of people like Occi must be examined. Connor McDermottroe’s Swansong may not contain people or places that we can easily relate to, but it is ultimately an exploration into human nature that we can all understand.

The play is structured with ample amounts of intrigue and tension built into an absorbing plot line that incorporates a satisfying string of revelations and surprises. It offers little insight or new perspectives into its concerns, but the writing provides extraordinary scope for a dynamic staging that can range from very quiet to very wild, within the sometimes restrictive monologue format. Director Greg Carroll and actor Andre de Vanny’s seamless collaboration focuses entirely on the performance of the piece. The production comes without a set design or props, and there is no sound design. Relying only on a simple costume and occasional lighting changes, Swansong is a mighty tour de force featuring an indisputable talent and his boundless energy and commitment. What de Vanny brings to the stage is faultlessly executed. Voice, face and body are operated at capacity, with a sense of euphoria that can only come with total abandonment. Nothing is kept in reserve, and the audience can only respond with an earnestness parallel to the show’s thorough and powerful vulnerability.

Occi’s life is full of struggles, but Swansong is not interested in our sympathies. We are free to look and judge him how we will, as we are want to do in our every day, but our eyes are opened to the experiences of an unusual existence, one that has tasted extremities that thankfully elude many of us. At the theatre, we seek our reflections, but what can be equally rewarding, is to catch a glimpse of some strange life that will never touch us otherwise. Our individual worlds can often be too small, and art is the antidote.

www.oldfitztheatre.com

Review: The Good Doctor (Ensemble Theatre)

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Venue: Ensemble Theatre (Kirribilli NSW), Nov 27, 2015 – Jan 17, 2016
Season continues at Glen Street Theatre (Belrose NSW), Jan 19 – 24, 2016
Playwright: Neil Simon
Director: Sandra Bates
Cast: Chloe Bayliss, Adriano Cappelletta, David Lynch, Kate Raison, Nathan Wilson
Images by Clare Hawley

Theatre review
Anything can happen in live theatre. Adriano Cappelletta was engaged to perform the lead role in The Good Doctor less than a week before opening night, replacing Glenn Hazeldine who had unfortunately sustained an injury right before preview performances were due to begin. It is a strange conundrum that happens on stage. We want a sense of danger and aliveness that recorded media is not able to replicate, but we admire the high polish a group of geniuses can cultivate in the flesh. At this early period of The Good Doctor‘s performance season, both are vigorously present.

The show consists of 10 or so short plays, all based on the writings of Anton Chekhov, and woven through a narration provided by Chekhov himself. It is pure entertainment, with some of his politics still recognisable, but Neil Simon’s script certainly does not dwell heavily on the deep and meaningful. Director Sandra Bates takes her cue from Simon and orchestrates a delightful production that makes no bones about playing for laughs. There is excellent and expert comedy in every scene, often nuanced and intricately conveyed, in a confident manner that never feels crude or patronising. For all its spirited frivolity, there is a sophistication to be found in Bates’ approach that reflects skill and flair for this genre of farcical classic comedy.

The Good Doctor boasts a cast of very strong players. Each is given four to six parts, and their versatility is demonstrated with great aplomb. Cappelletta is understandably short on fluency for opening night, but his thorough understanding of the material is frankly astonishing. We see the actor’s memory struggle on a few occasions, but the clarity at which he delivers each intention is commendable, and his natural charm keeps us firmly on his side from the very start. Equally endearing is Chloe Bayliss who captivates in every role. Her humour is sublime, and her presence magnetic. Bayliss is flawless in the production, and we are enchanted by her every appearance. Nathan Wilson plays the less mature men in the show, but his theatrical abilities are well-honed and impressive. There is a quality of exuberant abandonment to his style that appeals, along with a mischievous energy that contributes to the show’s enduring buoyancy.

Chekhov is not every person’s cup of tea, but he is a crowd-pleaser in The Good Doctor, a 40-year-old play that refuses to turn grey. It is true that there is fun to be had in our city’s many theatres, but it is not every day that a show appears, able to make us laugh without insulting our intelligence. It is indeed, very “charming and clever” (Neil Simon’s words), offering necessary respite in our much too serious and dreary lives.

www.ensemble.com.au

The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre
The Good Doctor 2015 Ensemble Theatre

Review: Hamlet (Montague Basement)

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montaguebasementVenue: PACT Centre for Emerging Artists (Erskineville NSW), Dec 1 – 5, 2015
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Cast: Zach Beavon-Collin, Robert Boddington, Christian Byers, Lulu Howes, Patrick Morrow
Image by Zaina Ahmed

Theatre review
If Hamlet lives today, his claims about seeing the ghost of his recently deceased father would probably not be taken very seriously at all. In Saro Lusty-Cavallari’s adaptation, the Prince of Denmark deals with his bereavement by locking himself away with Disney films, and spends too much time online. We also only ever see the apparition in Hamlet’s presence (through television sets), which allows us to bring his sanity to question. This version of Hamlet explores youth and its detachment from reality, especially in the context of modern technology. It is about isolation, delusion, and that sense of entitlement often attributed to the privileged lives of children born in the economic boom of late twentieth century.

Lusty-Cavallari’s vision is focused and powerful. Substantial omissions are made to serve his reinterpretation, but his choices are interesting and thoughtful ones that challenge our preconceived notions about the text, and urges us to look with fresh eyes. We are made to consider if this Hamlet presents the same man in a different light, or whether this rendition is indeed an entirely different character from the one we had known. Performances do not always live up to the demands of Shakespeare’s writing, but Christian Byers brings good tension and drama with the title role, even if there is little variation in his approach to the prince’s temperament or gesticulations. Supporting player Patrick Morrow leaves a strong impression as Polonius, with effortless charm and a natural pace that help him stand out on a stage that does not shy away from outlandish theatrics.

Set design is beautifully executed, with components of media and technology strewn across the space, representing Hamlet’s room, and illustrating the disposable nature of our contemporary lives. “To be or not to be” almost becomes a flippant statement for a generation that struggles to find meaning, but the team in this production of Hamlet is determined to locate, in Shakespeare, relevance and resonance for themselves, and subversion it seems, is the only way.

www.montaguebasement.com

5 Questions with Ryan Henry and Cherilyn Price

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Cherilyn Price

Cherilyn Price

Ryan Henry: If you could sum up your character Zoe in three words, what would they be and why?
Cherilyn Price: Steadfast – someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me. Pugnacious – willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause. Passionate – open your heart to me, baby, I hold the lock and you hold the key.

What’s the most challenging and rewarding part about playing a character who has a younger self played by another actor in Through A Beaded Lash?
Most challenging: having a gorgeous young actor like Emily play the younger version, gee she must have really let herself go!!! Most rewarding: working out some shared mannerisms and vocal intonations so, hopefully, it’s not a total stretch for the audience to believe that it’s the same person 30 years later.

What excites you most about this production?
Lots of things about the play excite me, I spent the early 80’s nearly living on Oxford St, dancing the night away on the strip with my friends and so this is a very nostalgic experience for me. But my favourite part is that the play is written by a very dear friend of mine and I know this play is very close to Robert’s heart, so it’s a thrill to see it come to life.

If Zoe had a reality TV show, what would it be called and what would it entail?
Australia’s Next Top Fag Hag. A fly on the wall expose of Zoe’s teaching methodology as she puts fag hag wannabes through their paces!

In regards to acceptance of the LGBT community, what’s the biggest change you’ve noticed over time?
From my perspective, a big physical change is the decentralisation of gay bars. There used to be that large concentration of pubs and clubs along lower Oxford Street, like a beacon, and people would bar hop and run into friends and acquaintances along the way. The strip has now been diminished, not sure how many of the original clubs remain. Then of course over time there’s been increased legal recognition for same-sex couples and families and of course the push for marriage equality (um wake up Australia!) and the increased introduction of LGBT characters on television. These are all massive changes from the Sydney I first encountered when moving here in the 80’s.

Ryan Henry

Ryan Henry

Cherilyn Price: Your character Brent performs a drag routine within the play, how was that and how did you prepare for the scene? And how do you walk in those heels?
I’d be lying if I said that that particular process was a walk in the park. It really all came down to confidence and the right mindset. Knowing that when I walked on stage that I had to believe I was the most fabulous person in the room. That when I sang, every word sung was the only truth to be heard. With that in mind, cockiness and a narcissistic attitude are your best friend as a drag queen. As for the heels; countless hours of practice in rehearsals and realising beauty really is pain.

Who’s your favourite – Judy, Barbra or Bette?
Oh thats a tough one. As much as I adore this entire trio of performers, I’m going to have to say my heart lies with Barbra. I can’t deny my love for a broadway musical and it wouldn’t feel right to say someone could top the queen of the stage herself.

The play talks about the gay community of the 80’s, do you have sense of community where you live?
It’s difficult to answer this. I come from the western suburbs out in Penrith where there is a lot of stigma about people from their being very narrowed minded. I wouldn’t say that’s 100% accurate but there isn’t a sense of community for me personally as opposed to when I travel east and hit the city. I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends and family who do bring about a sense of community, but I’m always reminded of a lack of community the moment you step beyond friendship and family ties.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
That depends if you included the things I haven’t been caught for! I’m kidding… sort of. I guess I would have to say, lying to work about a family illness to get out of a shift, which is awful I know! I just really didn’t feel like working and that was the first thing that popped into my head.

Who would you throw yourself under a bus for?
The obvious answer would be my family, friends and partner. No question. But if it was a choice between them and say, Meryl Streep, I honestly doing know who would survive that situation. I mean… Meryl is basically god, am I right?

Ryan Henry and Cherilyn Price can be seen in Through A Beaded Lash by Robert Allan.
Dates: 25 Nov – 12 Dec, 2015
Venue: The Depot Theatre