THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (MUSICAL)

Music by Arthur Sullivan

Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert

Directed by Richard Carroll

Co-Arranger and Musical Supervisor: Victoria Falconer

Musical Director and Co-Arranger: Trevor Jones

Hayes Theatre Co. production

The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 6 April

 

Reviewed by Len Power 3 April 2025

 

When a show is over 140 years old, especially an operetta, you’d think it might not have much appeal any more for a modern audience, but “The Pirates Of Penzance or, The Slave To Duty” remains perennially popular.

It was the fifth collaboration of the English team of Gilbert and Sullivan. Surprisingly, it opened in New York in 1879, a year before it opened in London. It has remained popular ever since and, now that it’s out of copyright, it’s fair game for revision and non-traditional presentations.

Hayes Theatre Co. of Sydney have come up with a winner of a show with their current touring production. Gone are the expected large choruses and huge orchestra - this production has a cast of five and a piano or two. That it works so well is a triumph for this production’s creators.

Jay Laga'aia (centre) with (from left) Trevor Jones, Maxwell Simon, Billie Palin and Brittany Shipway

Jay Laga’aia is an excellent Pirate King, singing and swashbuckling his way through the show. He turns up unexpectedly and delightfully as other characters, too.

Brittany Shipway plays both Ruth and Mabel, giving a distinctive performance for each character. This fine comedienne sings very well, also popping up as other characters.

Maxwell Simon and Brittany Shipway

Maxwell Simon gives the role of the young Frederic a classic innocence that is very appealing. Also in fine voice, he makes the most of his songs. Billie Palin busily and cleverly plays the characters of Isabel and Barry as well as several others.

 

Trevor Jones

Trevor Jones is the pianist, Fishcake, and steals the show with his performance of the Major-General. Singing his tongue-twister of a song and accompanying himself on piano is a hilarious highlight of the show. Make sure you listen carefully to the lyrics!

The quality of the singing from this small cast is very high. Particularly memorable was the power and clarity of their harmony singing. Everything about this production works – the sets, costumes, lighting and sound – making this an evening of rollicking good fun.

From left: Billie Palin, Trevor Jones, Jay Laga'aia and Brittany Shipway

There is seating onstage for a number of fearless audience members. One of these, Peter McDonald, well-known Canberra musician, suddenly found himself briefly centre-stage as part of the action. He gave a performance that will be long remembered!

 

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.

 

THE MOORS (PLAY)

Written by Jen Silverman

Directed by Joel Horwood

Lexi Sekuless Productions

The Mill Theatre at Dairy Road to 12 April

 

Reviewed by Len Power 26 March 2025

 

First presented at the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, USA in 2016, “The Moors” is a deliciously crazy melodrama that uses the elements of Victorian gothic fiction to tell a dark story of repressed desires, oppressive social mores, passions and secrets in an isolated and desolate setting on the windswept moors of England.

The play looks at the lives of two sisters, Agatha and Huldey, who live with their brooding brother, a maid and a big dog in a gloomy old mansion on the moors. When a mysterious governess arrives, dark tensions and strange passions threaten to engulf them all.

Andrea Close  (Agatha)

Andrea Close plays the formidable sister, Agatha, a severe, miserable woman who rules the household. Her sister, Huldey, is played by Rachel Howard. Denied a social life and dominated by her sister, this sensitive young woman details her fantasies in a diary. Both Close and Howard give strong performances full of detail of these types of women found in novels from this time.

Rachel Howard (Huldey) and Steph Roberts (Marjory)

The slovenly and bitter maid, Marjory, a woman who has dark secrets of her own, is played by Steph Roberts. She gives a delightfully devilish depiction of this woman with attitude, dark eyes and birds nest hair. Sarah Nathan-Truesdale is a fine, Jane Eyre-like governess, Emilie. It’s a nicely controlled performance of a mysterious woman with a past.

Steph Roberts (Marjory) and Sarah Nathan-Truesdale (Emilie)

The young, star-crossed lovers are played by Petronella van Tiernan and Chris Zuber. While she may be a flighty moorhen and he may be the large and lonely household dog craving affection, their innocence and growing love for each other is portrayed by both performers with a touching sensitivity.

Director, Joel Horwood, has obtained excellent performances from his cast, keeping them all effectively within period even though the humour and satire in the script take them into unexpected territories.

Production designer, Aloma Barnes has created a creepy setting with a towering background and a German Expressionist doorway. There is the constant sound of a chilly wind sweeping over the moors outside. Sound designer, Damien Ashcroft, and lighting designer, Stefan Wronski, have complemented this setting with perfect atmosphere.

This is a ferociously enjoyable evening of gothic madness and mayhem. Expect the unexpected.

 

Photos by Daniel Abroguena

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

 

  

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (PLAY)

Based on the novel by Mark Haddon

Adapted by Simon Stephens

Directed by Chris Baldock

Mockingbird Theatre Company

Belconnen Arts Centre to April 5

 

Reviewed by Len Power 20 March 2025

 

For their first official production as the theatre-company-in-residence at the Belconnen Arts Centre, Mockingbird Theatre Company has chosen a famous, award-winning play that is a huge challenge to stage successfully.

Young, autistic Christopher Boone, investigates the mystery surrounding the death of a neighbour’s dog. His determination to solve the puzzle brings him into conflict with his father, renewed contact with his mother and enables us to see the world through his eyes as he struggles with relationships and situations that challenge him.

‘The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time’, adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel, was first staged by the National Theatre in London in 2012. The play won a record number of Olivier Awards and its subsequent Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Play.

Those who saw this original production would remember the extraordinary, expensive-looking set design for this play-within-a-play and wonder how a local company with limited resources could find a way to successfully stage it. Mockingbird’s director, Chris Baldock, has made it a fully immersive experience with clever projections, designed by Matt Kizer, on the walls and the floor of the theatre-in-the-round. It works superbly, giving us a more direct and clearer experience of the world as seen by this autistic young man.

Wajanoah Donohoe as Christopher

On opening night, the marathon central role of Christopher was played by Wajanoah Donohoe. It was a performance of skill, warmth and great sensitivity, making us care deeply for this young man as he struggles in a world that is difficult for him. Ethan Wiggin will share the role of Christopher at other performances during the season.

Richard Manning (centre) as Ed, Christopher's father

There were also notably fine performances by Richard Manning as Christopher’s father, Claire White as his mother and Leah Peel Griffiths as Siobhan, his school mentor and the play’s narrator.

Left to right: Callum Doherty, Travis Beardsley, Meg Hyam, Leah Peel Griffiths (Siobhan), Anthony Mayne, Tracy Noble and Peter Fock

The six other cast members, Callum Doherty, Travis Beardsley, Meg Hyam, Anthony Mayne, Tracy Noble and Peter Fock play multiple roles successfully, giving often quick, but effective, character sketches and impressing with their sense of timing.

Rhiley Winnett was responsible for the projection realisation and operation as well as the lighting design with Chris Baldock. His contribution to the success of this production is immense.

Director, Chris Baldock has created an imaginative production of this entertaining and important play that, because of its immersive design, was even more effective than the original production.

Photos by Chris Baldock

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