SWEET CHARITY (MUSICAL)

Book by Neil Simon

Music by Cy Coleman

Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

Directed by Joel Horwood

Choreographed by James Tolhurst-Close

A Free Rain Theatre production

The Q Theatre, Queanbeyan to 18 May

 

Reviewed by Len Power 1 May 2025

 

Ever-hopeful but not very bright, Charity Hope Valentine just wants to be loved. Working as a dance hall hostess in the sleazy Fandango Ballroom in New York, she moves from one hopeless affair to another, until she meets Oscar Lindquist who just might offer her the perfect future she dreams of.

Director, Joel Horwood, wisely keeps ‘Sweet Charity’ within its 1960s period but gives it a modern touch with an impressionistic, simple setting for the many scene locations. Joel also ensures that dance is a major focus of the show with even the scene changes smoothly choreographed.

Amy Orman as Charity

The marathon role of Charity is played with exuberance and skill by Amy Orman. Her comic timing and the warmth she gives this slightly pathetic character makes her the star of this very strong cast. Her dancing of ‘If They Could See Me Now’ and ‘I’m A Brass Band’ as well as her dramatic performance of the song, ‘Where Am I Going?’ are show-stoppers.

Vanessa Valois (Nickie), Amy Orman (Charity), Kristy Griffin (Helene)

Playing Charity’s friends at the Fandango, Vanessa Valois as Nickie and Kristy Griffin as Helene, both give very strong, funny and gritty performances. The song, ‘There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This’, performed by Charity, Nickie and Helene is yet another showstopper. Valois and Griffin also excel in their funny duet, ‘Baby, Dream Your Dream’.

Joshua Kirk sings very well and gives a strong performance as the flawed Oscar Lindquist. There are notable performances, too, from Eamon McCaughan as Italian movie star, Vittorio Vidal, Stephanie Waldron as the petulant girlfriend of Vittorio, Katie Lis as Daddy Brubeck, leading the company with ‘Rhythm of Life’, and Alissa Pearson as the tough employer at the Fandango, Herman.

 

The ensemble in 'Rich Man's Frug'

The very busy singing and dancing ensemble do a superb ‘Rich Man’s Frug’ as well as ‘Rhythm of Life’ and ‘Big Spender’ by the girls in the Fandango Ballroom is another highlight. You need to be a strong dancer to be in this show and everyone on that stage certainly is. Choreographer, James Tolhurst-Close honours the spirit of Bob Fosse but gives the dances his own unique choreographic design that suits the show perfectly.

The clever lighting design by Zac Harvey, a perfectly balanced sound design by Telia Jansen, strong musical direction by Callum Tolhurst-Close, colourful costumes by Fiona Leach and set design by Chris Zuber have come together to add to the success of this production.

The director, Joel Horwood, keeps the show moving at a fast pace, ensures that the characters have depth and, above all, has produced an entertainment that is edgy, funny and memorable.

 

Photos by Photox - Ben Appleton

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

  

ROMEO & JULIET (PLAY)

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Joe Woodward

Daramalan Theatre Company

Joe Woodward Theatre, Dickson to 3 May

 

Reviewed by Len Power 26 April 2025

 

One of Shakespeare’s most well-known and accessible plays, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ encourages us to think about our own personal relationships and the decisions we make that affect others. But is there more to this story of the ‘star-crossed lovers’? In Joe Woodward’s new production, there is an examination of ancient and shadowy revelations that may have more bearing on the decisions we make. It’s a challenging and fascinating way to consider this most moving of Shakespeare’s tragedies. It applies to our world and our current actions, too, not just to the world of those young lovers.

Using a circular thrust stage, background projections and the considerable height of the theatre, director, Woodward, who also designed the production, creates a haunting, shadowy atmosphere for the play that is often startlingly effective. The careful use of music, including the love theme by Nino Rota of Zeffirelli’s 1968 film of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and the Flower Duet from Delibes’ opera, ‘Lakme’, adds a great deal of atmosphere to this production. The singers, Ruby Gifford and Ruby Holden, give a fine performance of the Delibes aria.

Oscar Lee (Romeo) and Evie Nicholls (Juliet)

As Juliet, Evie Nicholls gives a performance full of fire in the early scenes and, as Juliet falls in love, she gives the role an increasing tenderness that is quite touching. Oscar Lee plays Romeo with a toughness that contrasts nicely with his later romantic scenes with Juliet. The sudden change in his emotions during the balcony scene is quite effective, making Romeo’s discovery of the power of love quite believable.

Oscar Lee (Romeo) and Zac Olsen (Tybalt)

Performances from the large cast show a good understanding of the vision of this production. Vocal delivery is often uneven with a lack of projection in some cases and a tendency to speak too fast, so that the meaning and poetry of the words are lost. However, it takes years to perfect this and, for a student cast starting their journey in the world of theatre performance, they do very well overall.

The finale of the play, with the lovers’ deaths staged and performed simply, is especially touching. This is a fine and clear production with a thoughtful perspective that adds new depth to this great play.

Photos supplied by the production 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT (MUSIC)

Concept by Patrick Nolan

Directed by Laura Hansford

Opera Queensland production

Q Theatre, Queanbeyan 15 April 2025

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Described as a unique celebration of country music and opera, featuring arias and songs by Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daly and Dolly Parton, Are You Lonesome Tonight was a pleasant evening of song from both genres cleverly woven together.

The young cast of singers – Gabrielle Diaz, Marcus Corowa and Jonathan Hickey – moved from Opera to Country effortlessly. All three amiable individuals connected quickly with the audience in a down to earth manner and showed themselves to be very capable singers of both styles of music as well as being accomplished musicians.

Jonathan Hickey, Gabrielle Diaz and Marcus Corowa

On a colourful and attractive set, designed by Penny Challen, the cast gave a potted history of opera and country music, illustrated with various arias and songs along the way. There was some mild audience participation that added to the connection between cast and audience.

The show moved at a good pace with most of the arias being from very well-known operas like Carmen, La Traviata, The Marriage Of Figaro and La Boheme. The country music included songs by Hank Williams, Slim Dusty, Troy-Cassar-Daly and Dolly Parton, amongst others. The arrangements where arias moved deftly to country and back again were very well done.

The operatic arias were sung in their original languages, which might have been a barrier for audience members unfamiliar with the shows they came from, but they could not fail to be affected by the powerful melodies and emotions in the music. The country songs were well-chosen, also displaying emotions and melodies that make this a powerful genre for many.

It was the choice of a song from Kate Miller-Heidke’s opera, The Rabbits, that particularly showed that opera and country can come together very well. This was the highlight of the show.

The show finished with the song Are You Lonesome Tonight. It had been an enjoyable evening of song that should gain some converts to a genre of music until now unfamiliar to them.

 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.