Venue: Hayes Theatre Co (Potts Point NSW), Nov 22 – Dec 22, 2024
Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Book: Gordon Greenberg, Chad Hodge
Director: Sally Dashwood
Cast: Zohra Bednarz, Emma Feliciano, Paige Fallu, Matt Hourigan, Nigel Huckle, Niky Markovic, Chloë Marshall, Mary McCorry, Jamie Reisin, Jacob Steen
Images by Robert Catto
Theatre review
All Jim wants is an idyllic life of marriage in rural Connecticut, but when Lila discovers that the farmhouse is not quite to her taste, Jim quickly finds a new love interest in Linda. Based on a film from 1942, it is perhaps not a surprise to find in Holiday Inn, that women are but interchangeable and disposable. The book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge for this 2014 musical version, preserves what some might term an old-fashioned charm, but for others it is probably only the interpolated songs from the Irving Berlin oeuvre that holds any appeal.
Direction by Sally Dashwood is correspondingly nostalgic in style, with an approach that is perhaps overly sterile and conservative. Zealous choreography by Veronica Beattie George is highly animated, but a restrictive set design by Bell Rose Saltearn hinders the cast from performing freely. Lights by Véronique Benett introduce dynamism to the staging, but it is the extensive wardrobe by costumier Brendan de la Hay that provides some visual splendour.
Music direction by Abi McCunn is faithful to the relevant era, ensuring that Berlin’s hits remain enchanting. Leading the cast are Nigel Huckle and Mary McCorry who both impress with their singing abilities as Jim and Linda, although chemistry is nowhere to be found on this occasion. More captivating is Jacob Steen who plays Jim’s partner and friend Ted, demonstrating exceptional flair and a knack for harnessing dramatic authenticity, even for a story that is completely absurd. There is something about the Christmas season that feels ridiculous, but we participate anyway, understanding that so much of the joy comes from a willingness to indulge in a collective delusion, about this portion of the calendar holding so much more meaning, than the rest of the year.
Suzy Goes See 