THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 15 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.

Program 15: England and Broadway – ‘Primrose’ and ‘Lady, Be Good!’

In 1924, George Gershwin had two hit shows on both sides of the Atlantic.  ‘Primrose’ opened in London and, from the original 1924 cast recording, we’ll hear ‘Boy Wanted’ and ‘Some Far-Away Someone’.  ‘Lady, Be Good!’ was George’s first smash hit in New York.  Billie Holliday performs ‘The Man I Love’ and Fred and Adele Astaire perform two numbers from the show accompanied by George Gershwin himself on piano.

 Listen now:

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-15/

 

 

QL2 DANCE - ON COURSE ON FILM (DANCE REVIEW)

 

Mentors: Ruth Osborne & Sara Black

Streaming online via QL2 Dance Website

www.ql2.org.au until 31 January 2022

Reviewed by Len Power 29 December 2021

 

QL2 Dance’s annual ‘On Course’ project has always been a great opportunity to observe young dance artists in development.  Alumni who are currently in full time study at universities around Australia and New Zealand usually come together in Canberra at this time to choreograph, collaborate and perform new short works.

However, again this year due to Covid, ‘On Course’ has been presented as ‘On Course On Film’, a festival of dance films made in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, NZ and Canberra by tertiary dance students.  They have created 7 short dance films this year.

Choreographers who submitted films were Caroline De Wan, Christopher Wade, Gabriel Sinclair, Patricia Hayes-Cavanagh, Phillipa Keogh, Otto Kosok and Ruby Ballantyne.

The standout performance this year was ‘Polarity (People Are Tricky)’.  It was directed and choreographed by Christopher Wade and danced by Wade, Rachelle Silsby and Liam Berg.  With well-chosen background scenes in Sydney, the concept was clearly realized through the choreography.  It was attractively and skilfully performed by all three dancers.  Dance was quite rightly the dominant feature here but it was also skilfully filmed and edited with a good eye to location and background.  The choice of music was also excellent.

Gabriel Sinclair’s ‘Self Portrait’ had a strong second half where the dance and emotion of the piece came through strongly.

There was little to inspire or enjoy in the other films.  Too much emphasis was given to filmic tricks at the expense of dance.  The stated concepts for the films were not evident in the finished product and, in many cases, there was no actual dance to enjoy.

I understand that making film is not usually the choreographer’s main focus and that current circumstances have made it the only option to showcase their work this year.  Hopefully, ‘On Course’ can get back to normal next year so that we can see and judge the choreographic works live.

‘On Course On Film’ is accessible free via live streaming until 31 January 2022.  Details and tickets are available through QL2’s website.

 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK - SPECIAL 2021 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK SPECIAL 2021 XMAS PROGRAM

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 26 December and repeated at 11pm on Monday 27 December.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – Broadway’s Christmas Songs

Broadway musical songs run the whole gamut of human emotions.  This Christmas Broadway collection contains songs of great optimism for the future, of a chaotic Christmas best forgotten, nostalgia for good times with loved ones, of lonely or angry people at Christmas as well as Christmases of joy and celebration.

Songs in this program include ‘A New Deal For Christmas’ (‘Annie’), ‘Who Says There Ain’t No Christmas?’ (from ‘Flahooley’), ‘Lovers on Christmas Eve’ (‘I Love My Wife’), and ‘We Need A Little Christmas’ (‘Mame’).

Performers include Barbara Cook, Nathan Lane, Joanna Gleason, Brian D’Arcy James and Angela Lansbury. 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 14 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT – EPISODE 14

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 14: “George White’s ‘Scandals’”

Handsome hoofer, George White produced his lavish revues ‘George White’s Scandals’ on Broadway for 20 years from 1919 to 1939.  George Gershwin wrote the music for 5 in a row from 1920.  We’ll hear the enduring ‘Somebody Loves Me’, the cheeky ‘Scandal Walk’, the delightful ‘Drifting Along With The Tide’ and, the most famous of all, ‘I’ll Build A Stairway to Paradise’.  Artists featured include Barbara Cook, Anthony Perkins, Elaine Stritch and, maybe, Ingrid Bergman!

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-14/

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1992 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 19 December and repeated at 11pm on Monday 20 December.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1992

1992 produced ‘Crazy For You’, a new Gershwin musical with famous vintage songs and ‘March of the Falsettos’ which dealt with bisexuality.  There was also ‘Jelly’s Last Jam’, a fascinating and, at times, confronting look at black composer, Jelly Roll Morton, and ‘My Favorite Year’, based on the popular movie of the same name.

Songs in this program include ‘But Not For Me’ (‘Crazy For You’), ‘I Never Wanted to Love You’ (‘March of the Falsettos’), ‘That’s How You Jazz’ (‘Jelly’s Last Jam’) and the title song of ‘My Favorite Year’.

Performers include Gregory Hines, Jodie Benson, Clarke Peters, Michael Rupert and Lainie Kazan.

 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

HOUSE PLANET: A DISCOVERY OF RECOVERY - THE MUSICAL (THEATRE REVIEW)

Music & Lyrics by Tim Beavitt

Directed by Tim & Nathalie Beavitt 

Produced by Mr. Tim Enterprises

Tuggeranong Arts Centre to 11 December

 

Reviewed by Len Power 10 December 2021

 

An original musical created by the participants aged 7 to 13 years, “House Planet: A Discovery Of Recovery” was a delightful experience for young and old alike.

Set in the House Planet, the “Labratorians” are experimenting with an emotions machine, when an unexpected explosion finds them transported into Plant World where they become embroiled in a coup d'etat.  Meanwhile chaos has also reined in the various lands of: Fridgelandia, Scrubtopia and Loungeroomia, where citizens are faced with a series of problems caused by a supposed “big bang”.

The show was devised to introduce local children to the many aspects of musical theatre and empower them to embrace their creativity and imagination.  Artists Daniel Streatfield, Chelsea Heaney, Hanna Hoyne and Ed Radclyffe, provided participants with skills development in costume design, drama, and set and props design.

Cast of 'House Planet'

The cast of fifteen young people all showed that they belonged on that stage.  Their developing theatre skills were very pleasing to see.  Everyone was poised and confident.  They had learned to project their voices, diction was clear and no-one spoke too quickly.  They all sang very well and there were some real charmers with natural talent amongst the cast.

The emotions machine

The set and costume designs were a particularly appealing aspect of the production.  The highly imaginative cardboard set and properties design by Ed Radclyffe and the chic costume designs by Hanna Hoyne in paper and various readily available materials gave the show a unique and striking appearance.

The land of Fridgelandia

The music by Tim Bevitt was catchy and the lyrics were often quite complex, requiring clear singing by the vocalists.  The song, ”Crack Of a Broken Heart”, was especially memorable and “Fridgelandia!” proved to be a showstopper as sung by the Bacon Border Patrol.  The rousing final song, “Let Your Courage Shine”, with the whole cast was also a winner.

It’s very pleasing to see young people being given the opportunity in a quality production to learn theatre skills and experience the joy of presenting their hard work to the public.

Their delighted reaction to the well-deserved applause at the end of the show was wonderful to see.  Is the next Cate Blanchett or Hugh Jackman amongst that troupe of players?

Photos by Martin Ollman 

This review was first published in the Canberra Citynews digital edition of 11 December.

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

 

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 13 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 13: Disappearing Act: ‘Pardon My English’ and ‘Two Waltzes In C’

The Gershwin musical ‘Pardon My English’ opened in 1933, was not a success and disappeared.  In 1982, the long-lost score and orchestrations were found and a new recording was made to great acclaim.  We’ll hear some dazzling selections from this recording and wonder why the show was not a success.  One of the songs in the show ‘Tonight’ was such a favourite of George Gershwin’s that he turned it into a piece for two pianos and called it ‘Two Waltzes in C’.  We’ll hear it played by the accomplished piano duo, Frances Veri and Michael Jaminus.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-13/

 

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1953 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 12 December and repeated at 11pm on Monday 13 December.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1953

1953 was a year of great variety on Broadway.  Cole Porter’s ‘Can-Can’ made Gwen Verdon a star and Rosalind Russell gave a legendary performance in Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Wonderful Town’.  Rodgers and Hammerstein gave audiences ‘Me and Juliet’, a show set in the world of theatre performers and the magical music of Borodin was used to great effect in the Arabian Nights musical, ‘Kismet’, by composers Wright and Forrest.

Songs in this program include ‘I Love Paris’ (‘Can-Can’), Wrong Note Rag’ (Wonderful Town’), ‘Marriage-type Love’ (‘Me And Juliet’) and ‘Stranger In Paradise’ (Kismet’).

Performers include Rosalind Russell, Alfred Drake, Joan Diener, Debbie Gravitte, Lilo, Doretta Morrow and Richard Kiley.

 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

THE STRANGER (THEATRE REVIEW)

 

Adapted and directed by Christopher Samuel Carroll

From the novella by Albert Camus

Bare Witness Theatre Company

Ralph Wilson Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre to 17 December

 

Reviewed by Len Power 9 December 2021

‘The Stranger’, a 1942 novella by French Algerian, Albert Camus, has been hotly debated ever since its publication in 1942.  Considered to be an example of Camus’ philosophy of absurdism coupled with existentialism, Camus himself rejected the existentialism label.

It therefore takes some courage to adapt this work to the stage as a one man show when so many people see it differently.

The story focusses on Meursault, a French settler in Algeria.  At his mother’s funeral he shows no emotion and when, later, he kills an Arab on a beach, his lack of remorse for his mother is remembered and used against him at his trial for the killing.

Sentenced to death, Meursault’s story is told by him in two parts, before and after the killing.  We begin to form a picture of this man and judge him but his story unsettles us.   We find ourselves examining our own dealings with the people in our lives, the compromises we have made in society, the importance we have given to outward appearances, our emotional reactions and the moral values that we hold.

Christopher Samuel Carroll’s adaptation powerfully retains the spirit of the original story.  Keeping the language simple and matter of fact, he avoids adding extra light and shade to his delivery.  This is a man having a raw, uncensored discussion with himself.  He is not speaking to us directly.

Even though the character is French, the ideas presented are universal, so Carroll’s normal speech works perfectly here and his skilfully measured voice engages our imaginations so adeptly that we create the colour inherent in the story.

The presentation is simple.  The acting area is a strip of lightly patterned floor covering with audience members on both sides.  The subtle lighting by Gillian Schwab follows the actor as he paces around, providing all of the atmosphere needed.

As well as providing a highly successful adaptation of the story, Christopher Samuel Carroll is a formidable acting presence in this marathon role.  Once read, Camus’ novella stays with you forever.  This production is equally memorable and not to be missed.

Not surprisingly, extra performances have been added due to demand for tickets.  The show now runs until 17 December.

This review was first published on the Canberra Critics Circle blog on 10 December 2021. 

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

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 12 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 12: ‘Concerto in F’

It’s 1925 and, as well as composing more Broadway shows like ‘Tell Me More’, George Gershwin wrote ‘Concerto in F’ for the concert stage.  Fully orchestrated, it’s a thrilling work, but it was originally composed for two pianos.  We’ll hear the Labeque Sisters playing the two piano version as well as George Gershwin himself in the only recording made of him playing his ‘Concerto in F’.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-program-12/

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1972 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 5 December and repeated at 11pm on Monday 6 December.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1972

1972 was the year that the musical, ‘Grease’ first opened on Broadway.  It was also the year of Bob Fosse’s award-winning musical, ‘Pippin’ and the popular black musical revue, ‘Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope’. Then there were the disastrous flops ‘Dude’ and ‘Via Galactica’, both by the composer of ‘Hair’, Galt McDermot.

Songs in this program include ‘Corner Of The Sky’ (‘Pippin’), ‘Summer Nights’ (‘Grease’), ‘I Gotta Keep Moving’ (‘Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope’), ‘Pears and Apples’ (‘Dude’) and ‘400 Girls Ago’ (‘Via Galactica’).

Performers in this program include Barry Bostwick, Carol Demas, Tony Roberts, Robert Morse, Salome Bey, Ben Vereen and Australia’s John Farnham from the Australian cast recording of ‘Pippin’.

 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (THEATRE REVIEW)

By Charles Dickens, adapted by Abigail Paul

Directed by Antonia Kitzel

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 5 December

 

Reviewed by Len Power 27 November 2021

 

After a tumultuous year that saw the cancellation of much of Canberra REP’s season of plays due to the Covid lockdown, it was a nice idea to present a small scale production of “A Christmas Carol” to herald the approach of Christmas in a spirit of optimism for a better 2022.

Charles Dickens’ famous novella, “A Christmas Carol”, was published in 1843 and has never been out of print since then.  It has been adapted many times for the theatre, radio, opera and film.

The grumpy old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, undergoes a journey of redemption as he faces three ghosts who teach him the true meaning of Christmas and the joy that giving yourself over to love and compassion can bring.

Using an adaptation by Abigail Paul, which was first staged in 2015 by the Theatre Language School Frankfurt in Germany, five actors play 30 characters to tell the story.

Alexandra Pelvin is the Narrator and Saban Lloyd Berrell plays Scrooge.  The other performers, Amy Crawford, John Whinfield and Sally Rynveld bring the various other characters to life by playing multiple roles.

The adaptation is a bit heavy on narration which slows the action down and the smaller number of colourful characters portrayed lessens the effect of the original story.  However, this much loved tale is enjoyable and the hard-working cast all give fine performances.

This is a small scale production with minimal sets and properties and the director, Antonia Kitzel, and her cast have given us an enjoyably immersive evening into the world of Charles Dickens.  With this production, Canberra REP and this show’s cast and crew have given us a ray of light at the end of a dark theatrical year.

This review was first published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 28 November.

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

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 11 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 11: Two Very Different Broadway Shows – ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Rosalie’

In 1927, George Gershwin wrote two very different Broadway shows – ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Rosalie’.  We explore the curious link between these shows and a revival many years later.  We hear singers Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frances Gershwin and Twiggy as well as George Gershwin himself on the piano.  Ira Gershwin provides commentaries on some of the songs.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-11/

 

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1920 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

 “The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 28th November and repeated at 11pm on Monday 29th of November.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1920

1920 saw the emergence of Rodgers and Hart with songs in ‘The Poor Little Ritz Girl’ and the up and coming George Gershwin provided the score for the ‘George White’s Scandals of 1920’ revue.  George M. Cohan directed ‘Mary’ with music by Louis A. Hirsch and Jerome Kern produced the score for one of his most famous shows, ‘Sally’.

Songs in this program include ‘Look For The Silver Lining’ (from ‘Sally’), ‘The Love Nest’ (from ‘Mary), ‘When I Found You’ (from ‘The Poor Little Ritz Girl’) and ‘Scandal Walk’ (from ‘George White’s Scandals of 1920’).

Performers in this program include Fanny Brice, Anthony Perkins, Barbara Cook, Billy Murray, Elaine Stritch and Marilyn Miller.

 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

CHIAROSCURO (THEATRE REVIEW)

 

Written and directed by David Atfield

The Courtyard, Canberra Theatre Centre to 28 November

 

Reviewed by Len Power 25 November 2021

 

In ‘Chiaroscuro’, David Atfield has taken a painting by the artist Caravaggio as inspiration for his new play that focusses on a short period of the artist’s life in Sicily and his fictitious relationship with a young male prostitute.

‘The Raising of Lazarus’ was painted in about 1609 and hangs in the Museo Regionale, Messina in Sicily.  Caravaggio lived and painted in Sicily for some time after fleeing from Rome as a result of a murder he had committed.

In the play, Caravaggio has employed the prostitute, Gregorio, as the model for his painting of Lazarus.  A relationship develops between them as work on the painting progresses.  The two men are very different.  Caravaggio seems intelligent and educated in comparison to the young man who is street-wise with coarsely original views on life and religion.

Mark Salvestro is a thoughtful and sensitive Caravaggio in his relationship with the young man and he also displays a steely resolve under the surface and a hint that violence is not far away.  Shae Kelly is convincing as Gregorio, a rough young man living on his wits who has seen the dark side of human nature in his work as a prostitute.

Shae Kelly (Gregorio) and Mark Silvestro (Caravaggio)

The contrast between these two very different men mirrors the light and dark, the chiaroscuro, in Caravaggio’s paintings.  While this is a fictional story about the artist, Atfield’s skilful character writing draws us into this relationship between the two men.  The use of modern day language and expression gives this period story greater accessibility for today’s audiences.

The set and costume design by Rose Montgomery nicely evokes a sense of the period and the lighting design by Gillian Schwab is excellent, capturing the look of Caravaggio’s art.

Atfield keeps the story moving at a good pace.  The intimate scenes between the men are played with sensitivity.  He has obtained in-depth performances from his actors but the amount of nudity in the production seemed excessive, given that in the finished painting, Lazarus is modestly covered.  The growing relationship between these men and its outcome was of more interest than the eroticism.

Without giving away too much plot-wise, the sudden introduction of a supernatural element at the end of the play seemed contrived.  Nevertheless, this play has well-written characters, a period story that is compelling and engaging and a fine production design.

Photo by Sam Kennedy-Hine

This review was first published in the Canberra Critics Circle blog on 26 November 2021.

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 10 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

After the biographical focus of the first 8 programs, the rest of this series looks at specific aspects of George Gershwin’s works in more detail.

Program 10: George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 2

Continuing our exploration of ‘George Gershwin’s Song-Book’, published in 1932, this program looks in depth at the remaining 9 songs, including a bonus song that was included in the book.  There are performances by Carol Channing, Julie Andrews, Sarah Vaughan, Judy Garland, Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, George Gershwin himself and others.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-10/

 

tick, tick...BOOM! (FILM REVIEW)

 

Screenplay by Steven Levenson

Based on the stage musical by Jonathan Larson

Music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Now streaming on Netflix

 

Reviewed by Len Power 20 November 2021

 

Composer, Jonathan Larson, wrote ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’ as a ‘rock monologue’ which he performed in a one man show off-Broadway in the early 1990s.  It told the autobiographical story of an aspiring writer of musicals trying to be successful in the theatre world.  Larson went on to write ‘Rent’, but died suddenly on the day of the first off-Broadway preview of that musical.  The show went on to be a huge success on Broadway and internationally.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the famous actor and composer of the musical, ‘Hamilton’, has now produced and directed a movie of ‘‘tick, tick…BOOM!’.  It is Manuel’s first direction of a feature length movie.

Starting and ending with, and frequently returning to, a concert performance in a nod to the stage show’s original form, the movie is a straightforward telling of Larson’s struggle for success as a writer of musicals as well as offering an insight into his personal relationships of the time.

Andrew Garfield as Larson gives a winning performance in the leading role.  He captures the drive of this young man desperate to succeed and sings with skill and sincerity.  While this man’s drive affects his personal relationships, Garfield’s powerful and likeable portrayal of Larson keeps us constantly on his side, hoping his dreams will be realized.

Robin de Jesus as his gay buddy, Michael, and Alexandra Shipp as his girlfriend, Susan, give excellent and moving performances.  There is strong support and fine singing by Joshua Henry and Vanessa Hudgens and Bradley Whitford is startlingly good as the living composer, Stephen Sondheim.

The rock music score is tuneful and dramatic and has been very well produced.  As with ‘Rent’, some of the lyrics occasionally jar but overall, it’s an enjoyable musical experience.

One of the songs, ‘Sunday’, is an homage to Larson’s greatest musical influence, Stephen Sondheim, and the scene, set in the diner where Larson worked for many years as a waiter is peppered with cameo appearances of Broadway stars including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, Phillipa Soo and many others.  Broadway fans will enjoy playing ‘spot the stars’.

Lin-Manuel Miranda has done fine work bringing this show to the screen.  His direction is constantly assured with many exceptional moments.  A swimming pool sequence involving some digital magic works very well.  He handles the emotional scenes between the characters with realism and depth.

While this type of story could easily become clichéd, Miranda knows this theatre world and its people and ensures that it stays real throughout.  For those who love theatre, this is a movie not to be missed.

This review was first published on the Canberra Critics Circle blog. 

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

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1940 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 21^st November and repeated at 11pm on Monday 22nd of November.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1940

1940 was a memorable year on Broadway with Irving Berlin’s ‘Louisiana Purchase’, Cole Porter’s ‘Panama Hattie’ with the great Ethel Merman and Ethel Waters in the all black musical, ‘Cabin In the Sky’ with music by Vernon Duke.  It was also the year of Rodgers and Hart’s ‘Pal Joey’ and Al Jolson’s last show on Broadway, ‘Hold On To Your Hats.’

Songs in this program include ‘Bewitched, (Bothered And Bewildered)’ (from ‘Pal Joey’), ‘Honey In The Honeycomb’ (‘Cabin In The Sky’), ‘What Chance Have I With Love?’ (‘Louisiana Purchase’) and ‘I’ve Still Got My Health’’ (‘Panama Hattie’).

Performers in this program include Ethel Merman, Bobby Short, Debbie Gravitte, Lena Horne, Bing Crosby, Kim Criswell and Vivienne Segal.

 
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT – EPISODE 9 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

After the biographical focus of the first 8 programs, the rest of this series looks at specific aspects of George Gershwin’s works in more detail.

Program 9: George Gershwin’s Song-Book Part 1

In 1932, ‘George Gershwin’s Song-Book’ contained 18 songs chosen by George Gershwin himself.  Over the years, most of these songs have become ‘standards’ for singers who have interpreted them in many styles.  Alberta Hunter, Glenn Miller and his orchestra, Mitzi Gaynor, Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli and others perform songs in this program.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-9/

 

BRIGHT STAR - ART SONG CANBERRA (CONCERT REVIEW)

Sarahlouise Owens, Soprano

Ronan Apcar, Piano

Art Song Canberra

Wesley Music Centre, Sunday 14 November

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

For the first concert after the Covid lockdown, Art Song Canberra presented soprano, Sarahlouise Owens and pianist, Ronan Apcar, at the Wesley Music Centre in Forrest in “Bright Star”, a concert of songs by living Australian composers.  Two of the composers, Michael Dooley and Margaret Legge-Wilkinson were present at the performance.

Sarahlouise Owens explained at the start of the concert that the songs had been chosen in a spirit of optimism and hope at the end of the lockdown.  They promoted connections with each other and the environment and a sense of looking forward as life goes on.

The first song, “Hymn To The Trinity” by Michael Dooley was a sensitive work with a Christian message that we are all one and need to unite in brotherhood.  Sarahlouise Owens sang it with warmth and clarity as well as a restraint that nicely underlined the emotions in the song.  There are some especially beautiful melodies in this work and they were well-played by pianist, Ronan Apcar.

Sarahlouise Owens

The second work, by Margaret Legge-Wilkinson, was “Girls And Horses In the Fire”, based on a poem by Lisa Jacobson, written in a response to the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.  This highly dramatic work full of intense emotions was very well sung by Owens and there was notably fine piano playing of the challenging score by Apcar.

Michael Dooley’s “Bright Star”, based on the poem by John Keats is a hauntingly beautiful work.  The music brings out the sensitivity of the words perfectly and it was given a luminous performance by Owens and Apcar.

Sally Greenaway’s “Cocooned For Breathing” was an unusual work for soprano, piano and singing bowl.  The bowl was played by Sarahlouise Owens while she sang.  The sounds produced by the bowl give the work a meditative quality and the overall effect of voice, piano and bowl was haunting and ritualistic.  It was an excellent performance of this unique and memorable work by the Canberra composer.

Ronan Apcar (piano), Sarahlouise Owens

The final work, “To A City Cousin”, by John Martin celebrated the environment and was given a joyful and sunny performance by Owens and Apcar.  For an encore, Sarahlouise Owens gave a sensitive, heart-felt performance of the Irish song, ‘Bonny Portmore’.

This was a performance where all the elements came together especially well.  Ronan Apcar played superbly, Sarahlouise Owens sang beautifully and really connected with her appreciative audience.  It was a highly memorable concert.

Photos by Peter Hislop

This review was first published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 15 November.

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

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1964 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 14^th November and repeated at 11pm on Monday 15th of November.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1964

1964 produced three of the most legendary shows ever to open in a single year on Broadway.  There was ‘Hello, Dolly!’ with Carol Channing, ‘Funny Girl’ with Barbra Streisand and ‘’Fiddler On The Roof’ with Zero Mostel.  There was also Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ with Angela Lansbury.

Performers in this program include Carol Burnett, Topol, Barbra Streisand, Lee Remick, Carol Channing and Robert Preston. 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

THE WHARF REVUE: CAN OF WORMS (THEATRE REVIEW)

Created by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe, and Phillip Scott

Performed by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe, Phillip Scott and Mandy Bishop

Presented by Canberra Theatre Centre and Soft Tread Enterprises

Canberra Theatre to 20 November

 

Reviewed by Len Power 9 November 2021

 

With the end of Canberra’s lockdown at last, ‘The Wharf Revue: Can Of Worms’ is the Canberra Theatre Centre’s first re-opening presentation.

Although previously presented annually by the Sydney Theatre Company, this new show is produced by Soft Tread Enterprises.  It’s the same tried and true format of sketches which satirise current political issues hand in hand with witty songs and amusing character assassinations.

At the start of the show, the cast make it clear that this is a more intimate show focussing on the content and characters rather than offering dazzling production values.  There was still the careful attention to detail in the costume designs by Phillip Scott and Hazel Fisher to add credibility to the characterisations.

Regular performers Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe, Phillip Scott and Mandy Bishop were in fine form and the ninety minute show moved at a cracking pace from one sketch to another.  Expertly produced video sequences by David Bergman added variety and kept the action moving while cast members changed for their next appearance.

Amongst the highlights of the show was a take-off of the opening number of the musical, ‘Come From Away’, renamed ‘Go Far Away’, fashioned as a damning comment on Australia’s refugee policy.  Composer, Phillip Scott, also produced other clever tunes again this year.  His writing and performing of ‘ScoMo’, cleverly using the calypso ‘Banana Boat Song’, was especially smart and hilarious.

 Drew Forsythe was a chilling Rupert Murdoch in conversation with Jonathan Biggins’ gangsterish Mephistopheles and his warm and dizzy President Joe Biden was a new delight.  His turn as the Queen seemed unusually affectionate until the clever sting at the end of the sketch and it wouldn’t be The Wharf Revue without his devastating Pauline Hanson.  He does Ms. Hanson better than she does!

Mandy Bishop was in fine voice for her songs and gave sharply etched caricatures of Gladys Berejiklian, Michaelia Cash and Jacqui Lambie.  Phillip Scott was a smarmy Kevin Rudd and dim John Howard and Jonathan Biggins got further wicked mileage out of Donald Trump amongst other clever characterisations.

As usual in a revue, some sketches work better than others.  Some of the longer ones sagged, especially the final sketch, a ‘Wizard Of Oz’ parody on the spiralling cost of Australian homes.  While most of the character satire in the show is harmless fun, some of the content of the Jacqui Lambie sketch was bordering on cruel, producing what sounded like shocked murmurs from the audience.

 ‘The Wharf Revue’ delivers an enjoyable evening of irreverent political entertainment.  It’s a welcome live theatre experience after such a long drought.

 

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

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1933 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 7^th November and repeated at 11pm on Monday 8th of November.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1933

In 1933, Bertolt Brecht’s and Kurt Weill’s revolutionary musical from Germany, ‘The Three Penny Opera’, opened on Broadway.  George and Ira Gershwin produced two shows that year – ‘Pardon My English’ and ‘Let ‘Em Eat Cake’.  Irving Berlin provided the music for the revue, ‘As Thousands Cheer’ and Broadway first heard the exquisite music of Jerome Kern’s ‘Roberta’.

Songs in this program include ‘Heatwave’, ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’, ‘Isn’t It A Pity’, ‘Yesterdays’, ‘If I Love Again’ and ‘Mack The Knife’.

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 8 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT –EPISODE 8

 ‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 8: Hollywood Ending - 1935 to 1937

Between 1935 and his early death in 1937, George Gershwin wrote the music for the movies ‘Shall We Dance’ and ‘A Damsel in Distress’ and commenced work on the ‘The Goldwyn Follies’.  Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Kenny Baker and Australia’s Kerrie Biddell sing some of the memorable songs from these movies.  Interviews include choreographer Hermes Pan, Ira Gershwin and Michael Feinstein.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-8/

  

NO MAPS ON MY TAPS (FILM REVIEW)

 

Directed by George Nierenberg

Streaming on Kanopy

Reviewed by Len Power 3 November 2021

The golden age of tap dancing spanned the first half of the twentieth century, but by the 1950s, the form fell to the likes of rock 'n' roll and modern dance.  In 1979, a documentary, ‘No Maps on My Taps’, aired on television outlets across the world, inspiring a new generation of dancers to slip on their shoes and tap away.

The featured performances by dancers Bunny Briggs, Chuck Green, and Howard ‘Sandman’ Sims, were a revelation.

The dancers all recount their biographies and influences while rehearsing for a gala performance at Smalls Paradise nightclub in Harlem.  Scenes of the performers dancing and kidding each other are interspersed with archival images and film footage of their early days.  Also shown are archival film scenes featuring performances by John W. Bubbles and Bill Robinson.

One of the dancers explains that there was no money for dance lessons growing up.  Black kids learned to dance in the street from soul and rhythm while the white kids went to dance school and learned to dance by counting.

Watching these men dance is an uncanny experience.  It’s beyond skilful – the dance is part of them.  They don’t dance choreographed routines, they ad lib the steps in a style that is uniquely personal to them.

The film ends with a climactic dance-off in front of a live audience, with music provided by a jazz band fronted by Lionel Hampton.

Bunny Briggs was born under the name Bernard Briggs in Harlem, New York in 1922.  When asked about his nickname, Briggs said ‘Well, I'm fast.’  In the 1960s, Briggs was known to dance with the likes of bandleaders Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington.

Howard "Sandman" Sims was born in 1917 and began his career in vaudeville.  He was skilled in a style of dancing that he performed in a wooden sandbox of his own construction, and acquired his nickname from the sand he sprinkled to alter and amplify the sound of his dance steps.

Charles Green was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia in 1919. He would stick bottle caps on his bare feet as a child and tap dance on the sidewalk for money.  He and his childhood friend James Walker teamed up and found fame as the dance act, "Chuck and Chuckles," playing New York's Palace Theatre and touring Europe, Australia, and the United States.

The documentary director George Nierenberg's love for the dancers and their art elevated his film above your run-of-the-mill documentary and into the ranks of dance canon.

This memorable one hour documentary film has been restored and is available for streaming free on Kanopy, through your local library membership.

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 7 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Program 7: A ‘Second Rhapsody’, more Broadway shows and an opera - 1931 to 1935

While writing more serious music like the ‘Second Rhapsody’, George Gershwin continued to produce music for Broadway shows.  This program includes music from ‘Pardon My English’, ‘Let ‘Em Eat Cake’ and his opera ‘Porgy And Bess’.  Barbra Streisand, Frances Gershwin (George Gershwin’s sister), Todd Duncan and Ann Brown, the original stars of ‘Porgy And Bess’, and George Gershwin himself on the piano provide the musical highlights of this program.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-7/

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 1914 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 31st of October and repeated at 11pm on Monday 1^st of November.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 1914

1914’s musicals still included imported operettas but things were changing with the increasing reputation of local composers like Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin.  In addition, the war in Europe began to influence the content of some of the new shows.

Songs in this program include some that are still known today, such as ‘Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts For Soldiers’ (sung by Al Jolson), ‘You’re Here And I’m Here’ and ‘They Didn’t Believe Me’ (both composed for different shows by Jerome Kern) and ‘Play A Simple Melody’ (composed by Irving Berlin). 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

ROXANE (FILM REVIEW)

 

Written and directed by Mélanie Auffret

Streaming on SBS On Demand

 

Reviewed by Len Power 27 October 2021

Writer/director Mélanie Auffret’s 2019 movie ‘Roxane’ tells the story of a Brittany chicken farmer, Raymond Leroux, who likes to read excerpts from Edmond Rostand’s play, ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’, to his flock with his gorgeous pet hen, Roxane, by his side.  When the all-controlling egg co-op cancels the contracts with the small chicken farmers of the district, Raymond enlists Roxane’s help with a scheme using social media to solve their predicament.

We’ve seen ‘little guy against the big guys’ stories before, of course, but it’s the quirky nature of this one that makes it a real winner.  Roxane in ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ was the hero’s love interest and so it’s no surprise that in the movie, the hero’s much-loved companion is a hen named Roxane.

The characters of this farming community are finely drawn and well-played by the cast members.  Their eccentricities are real and not caricatured.  Guillaume de Tonquédec as Raymond Leroux wins us over with the warmth and genuineness of his character.  His love for Roxane and his other chooks makes him irresistible.

There are excellent comedy performances from Léa Drucker as Raymond’s wife, Anne-Marie, Lionel Abelanski as a farming neighbour, Poupou, and Kate Duchêne as Wendy, an initially critical Englishwoman and literature professor who is won over to help with Raymond’s unusual scheme.

Mélanie Auffret directs the movie at a deliberate pace with under-stated performances, keeping it all on a believable level.  The slightly supernatural responses from the hens and especially, Roxane, are very funny.  There is some computer-generated imagery involving the birds but it’s mostly achieved through clever editing and sound.

The film is reminiscent of those great Ealing comedies of the 1950s such as ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’ and ‘Passport To Pimlico’ – gentle satirical comedies involving recognizably human characters and situations.

‘Roxane’ is a delight from start to finish.  You’ll want to have a pet like Roxane by the time it’s over, too.

‘Roxane’ is currently available for streaming on SBS On Demand.

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 6 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

 

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Part 6: More Broadway Hits - 1929 to 1931

George Gershwin continued to write the music for memorable shows like ‘Strike Up The Band’, ‘Girl Crazy’ and ‘Of Thee I Sing’.  The program includes performances by Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, ‘Red’ Nicholls and his Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Larry Kert and Maureen McGovern.

 Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-episode-6/

 

THE BROADWAY MUSICALS YEARBOOK 2005 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 24th of October and repeated at 11pm on Monday 25^th of October.  The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.

This week – the musicals of 2005

2005 produced a number of musicals based on popular movies including ‘The Color Purple’, ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, and ‘Spamalot’, based on ‘Monty Python And the Holy Grail’.  A new musical of Louisa May Alcott’s much-loved novel, ‘Little Women’, opened, as well as ‘Jersey Boys’, the story of the singing group, The Four Seasons.

Songs in this program include ‘What About Love?’ (from ‘The Color Purple’), ‘Find Your Grail’ (‘Spamalot’), ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You’ (‘Jersey Boys’) and ‘Here Alone’ (‘Little Women’). 

Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/

 

 

THE GERSHWIN PROJECT - EPISODE 5 (RADIO PROGRAM PROMO)

‘The Gershwin Project’ is a 26 episode series about the life and works of the 20th Century American music composer, George Gershwin.  Each episode runs for 30 minutes.

The series was first broadcast on Artsound FM in 2008.  The show was written and produced by Len Power and is narrated by Bill Stephens.

With access to the vast music library of local Gershwin collector, Bert Whelan, the programs include not only Gershwin’s well-known music but also an extraordinary number of Gershwin rarities.

Part 5: Broadway, London and ‘An American In Paris’ - 1924 to 1928

This program explores George Gershwin’s first massive hit Broadway show from 1924, ‘Lady Be Good’.  This busy period included the ‘Concerto in F’, more Broadway shows (‘Oh, Kay!’), a show in London (‘Primrose’) and ‘An American In Paris.’  The program includes interviews with Ira Gershwin and Michael Feinstein and songs by Fred and Adele Astaire, Christine Ebersole, Gertrude Lawrence and Blossom Dearie.

Listen now: 

https://www.mixcloud.com/artsoundfm/the-gershwin-project-program-5/

 

CYRANO, MY LOVE (FILM REVIEW)

 

Cyrano, My Love

Written and directed by Alexis Michalik

Streaming on SBS On Demand

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 October 2021

A movie based on real incidents and characters might not be historically true but sometimes you wish it was.  Such is the case with ‘Cyrano, My Love’, a hugely entertaining film from start to finish.

‘Cyrano, My Love’ is a 2019 French comedy/drama written and directed by Alexis Michalik.  It’s an adaptation of his highly successful 2016 play ‘Edmond’, which premiered in Paris in 2016.

In 1897 in Paris, the struggling young poet-playwright, Edmond Rostand, impetuously offers a role in a play to the famous actor, Constant Coquelin.  The only problem is that the play is not yet written.  He only has a title – ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ – and only three weeks to complete it.  Distracted by the love stories of his best friend, temperamental actresses, the jealousy of his wife and the lack of enthusiasm of those around him, Edmond tries to write this play in which nobody believes.

The recreation of theatre life in 1890s Paris in this film is masterful.  Chaos reigns backstage with the casting of plays often for reasons other than skill or talent.  Temperamental stars rule the day and companies seem close to being shut down for financial and other reasons.  Against all odds, Rostand emerges triumphantly with a play that stands the test of time.

The performances in this film are delicious.  At the centre of the film, Thomas Solivérès gives an endearing performance as the anxious Edmond Rostand.  Olivier Gourmet is a charismatic Constant Coquelin, the first actor to play Cyrano and Maria Legault is delightful as the temperamental actress, Mathilde Seiner, playing the love interest, Roxanne.  The handsome Tom Leeb is perfectly cast as the actor Léo Volny, who plays the dashing but not very bright young lover, Christian.

Sarah Bernhardt, played with all stops out by Clémentine Célarié, darts in and out of the film as does Georges Feydeau, the famous French farce playwright, played by the director of the movie himself, Alexis Michalik.  A huge cast of character actors give great support to these leading performers.

It’s not surprising that many situations detailed in the play are inspired by Rostand’s day to day experiences with these colourful characters.  It’s great fun seeing how he incorporates them along the way.  It’s not necessary to know the play in detail but, if you do, you’ll have a wonderful time recognizing these incidents.

One of the highlights of this film is a laugh out loud scene involving a hotel reception clerk that is pure Feydeau farce.  Surprisingly, it’s a hapless Georges Feydeau himself who is caught up in it!

If you love theatre and the colourful characters that inhabit it, don’t miss ‘Cyrano, My Love’.   It’s streaming until December on SBS On Demand.

(The film was titled 'Edmond' when it played at the Alliance French Film Festival here in Canberra in 2020.)