Stars John Hurt
British
1971
Seen on GEM
A womanizing biologist studies life in a colony of penguins.
Uninvolving film with Hurt playing a Uk playboy in swinging London who suddenly chooses to go to Antarctica as a promising biologist. Film can't make up its mind if its serious character study, nature film or what? Disappointing.
‘The Magic of Music’ with Len Power can be heard on Saturday 1 October on Artsound FM at 4pm.
Stars Gunnar Bjornstrand
Swedish
1954
Seen on Blu-Ray
After a 15-year marriage, the spouses are going to divorce, but suddenly find out that their feelings have not vanished yet.
This film poses the big question over the union of man and woman. Is there such a thing as a perfect marriage? This is an in depth study but filmed obliquely. Bergman seemed to know exactly what he was doing here and what effect he wanted from every scene. The cast are really good, too.
Stars Richard Attenborough
British
1952
Seen on GEM
In World War II, a failed British Officer is selected by his uncle, a Brigadier with the War Office, to participate in a secret operation to "recover" looted artworks from the Nazis.
Starts off well, but turns sort of serious and gets bogged down in the second half. All of the British character actors are here. Top-billed Richard Attenborough is not the leading man. That task falls to Ian Carmichael.
Artsound’s music guru, Bert Whelan, has a formidable knowledge of music, ranging from the classics to light orchestral to the American Songbook and Broadway, as well as film music and popular 20th century songs. In this series, I’m playing a vast range of Bert’s personal favourites. Many you’ll know but I’m sure there’ll be new discoveries for you as well.
In the first program you’ll hear the jazz standard from 1917, ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, David Raksin’s famous theme from the 1947 movie, ‘Laura’, 'Sing For Your Supper' from the 1938 Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, 'The Boys From Syracuse', 'Vocalise’, a 1915 song by Sergei Rachmaninov, ‘Softly As In A Morning Sunrise’ from the 1928 operetta 'The New Moon', 'Concerto Incognito' from 1940 by British composer Sidney Torch and many others.
Join me, Len Power, Saturdays on Artsound FM at 4pm for ‘The Magic of Music’.
“The Broadway
Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 25
September and repeated at 11pm on Monday 26 September. The show is produced and narrated by Len
Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 1918
In a vibrant year on Broadway, 1918 saw Al Jolson’s huge success in ‘Sinbad’, an Arabian Nights musical comedy. Irving Berlin produced some hit songs in his army revue, ‘Yip Yip Yaphank’ and Nora Bayes starred in ‘Ladies First’, a show about the suffragette movement. There was also the World War One-themed British import, ‘The Better ‘Ole’’ as well as the ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ and Jerome Kern’s tuneful marital mixup comedy, ‘Oh, Lady! Lady!’
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Rockabye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody’ (from ‘Sinbad’), ‘It's A Hard, Hard World For A Man’ (‘Oh, Lady! Lady!’), ‘Mandy’ (‘Yip Yip Yaphank’), ‘The Real American Folk Song Is A Rag’ (‘Ladies First’), ‘When You Look In the Heart Of A Rose’ (‘The Better ‘Ole’’) and I'm Gonna Pin My Medal On the Girl I Left Behind’ (‘Ziegfeld Follies Of 1918’).
Performers include: Al Jolson, Nora Bayes, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Feinstein, Gladys Moncrieff, Peter Dawson, Paige O’Hara, John McCormack and even Irving Berlin himself!
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
 |
Live At Yours
production
The B, Queanbeyan, 21
September
Reviewed by Len Power
In a show of solidarity for the people of war-torn Ukraine,
The B in Queanbeyan was almost full for an extraordinary concert of deeply
romantic music by Ukrainian pianist, Alexey Botvinov.
Regarded as a leading specialist in the music of Rachmaninov, he is also President and Artistic Director of the “Odessa Classics” international music festivals which were held in cities outside Ukraine for the first time this year.
Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, he has performed across Europe, raising €1.5 million for his country so far. Although from Odessa, he is currently living in exile in Zurich, Switzerland. The proceeds from the concert will be used to support the artist and his family in Ukraine.
Introduced by Odessa-born entrepreneur, Vladimir Fanshil, whose company Live At Yours has funded the Australian tour, Alexey Botvinov presented as a quietly friendly, unassuming kind of bloke with a warm smile. When he began playing the piano, you quickly realized that this was no ordinary man. He was clearly a master of the instrument and a superb artist and performer.
Commencing with three Intermezzi by Johannes Brahms, Botvinov then played two well-known Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin. He followed this with “Ave Maria” by one of his favourite Ukrainian composers, Alemdar Karamanov.
All were beautifully played but it was the final item on the program that really showed what an extraordinary performer he is. Rachmaninov’s Sonata No. 2 is considered notoriously difficult to play but Botvinov gave a towering performance of the work, bringing out a depth and clarity in the music that was breath-taking.
For an encore, he played the beautiful “Melody” by Ukraine’s Myroslav Skorik and then delighted the audience with an unexpected second encore. His playing of Rachmaninov’s “Prelude in C minor” was thrilling and a perfect end to this memorable concert.
This review was first
published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 22 September 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
Stars: Alessandro Nivola
USA
2021
Seen on Netflix
The making of Tony Soprano. The story that reveals the humanity behind Tony's struggles and the influence his family - especially his uncle, Dickie Moltisanti - had over him becoming the most iconic mob boss of all time.
Interesting prequel to the TV series, 'The Sopranos'. Colourful characters, violent killings, good period detail. Entertaining, but the character of teenage Tony Soprano isn't fleshed out enough, making the ending a bit less compelling than it should be.
Starring Anna Neagle
British
1952
Seen on GEM
Ensemble piece dealing with several characters who are on the way to the races on Derby day, including the woman and lover who have murdered her husband, and the working class couple who are excited about their chance to go to the races, but end up listening to it on the radio in the car-park because they've got such a bad view.
Combined stories are dated and contrived but it's the actors that keep you entertained - stars and character actors. Very enjoyable from start to finish.
Documentary
USA
2009
Seen on Disney +
Delves into the lives and cinematic legacy of the prolific songwriting duo whose music has been featured in classic movies such as Mary Poppins (1964) and The Jungle Book (1967).
Well-produced documentary on these prolific composers. Made before Robert B. Sherman's death in 2012. Aside from some idiotic illustrative clips lifted from the films just to match the spoken word, it's a fascinating story of sibling conflict as well as enduring music.
Starring Pierre Niney
France
2020
Seen on SBS World Movies
Set in Paris the story follows Lisa, who, while on vacation with her husband, rekindles a passionate affair with her ex-boyfriend. But that may lead to a murder.
Suspenseful deadly love triangle story isn't as predictable as you might think. Well-produced and acted. Recommended.
Starring Albert Rohrwacher, Laura Morante
Italy
2020
Seen on Foxtel
A marriage-in-crisis drama set in Naples and Rome over a long period starting in the 1980s.
Truly memorable drama that flashes back and forward across a number of years. The effect of a marriage in crisis affects not only the adults but the children as well. Very well acted by the entire cast. The ending is unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith
USA
1992
Seen on Disney +
When a nightclub singer is forced to take refuge from the mob in a convent, she ends up turning the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire, until the sudden celebrity of the choir jeopardizes her identity.
Entertaining vehicle for Whoopi Goldberg with fine support from Maggie Smith, Harvey Keitel and Mary Wickes. Hardly believable but it doesn't matter. It's a crowd-pleaser that deserves its popularity.
Documentary
USA
2018
Seen on Disney +
The story of songwriter Howard Ashman who penned the lyrics for Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast before he died of AIDS at the height of the AIDS crisis in 1991.
Fine, sensitive and informative documentary about the film and stage composer, Howard Ashman. Often using Ashman's own voice from past interviews, his story is compelling and peppered with incisive interviews with family, friends and co-workers. It includes fascinating scenes of him working in music recording sessions with stars like Angela Lansbury and Jerry Orbach. Very moving story of a talented artist lost to AIDS. Recommended.
Musical Director:
Shilong Ye
Holy Covenant
Anglican Church 17 September
Reviewed by LEN POWER
With “Serenading in Spring”, Musica Da Camera String Orchestra
presented a particularly well-chosen program of works that were uplifting,
refreshing, joyful and optimistic. It
created the perfect mood for this time of year as we leave the dark and cold of
winter behind and embrace the glories of spring with, hopefully, the end of the
pandemic in sight as well.
The music of Friedrich Robert Volkmann was most popular prior to World War I. His “Serenade For String Orchestra No. 2” is a lush, romantic piece, full of varying moods. The orchestra played this work particularly well, giving it a pleasing depth of feeling.
Conductor, Shilong Ye, takes a bow with the orchestra
The final work on the program was Carl Nielsen’s “Suite For Strings Op. 1”. The orchestra played the three distinct parts of this work again with notable sensitivity.
 |
| Musica Da Camera String Orchestra with conductor, Shilong Ye |
The changing spring weather of sunshine one minute and showers the next through the large church windows behind the players added extra atmosphere to a highly pleasing and thoughtful music program.
Photos by Len Power
This review was first published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 18 September 2022.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’, ‘Arts About’ and 'Classical Mood' programs.
Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman
UK
1958
Seen on GEM
An actress who has given up on love meets a suave banker and begins a flirtation with him...even though he's already married.
It might be a dated romcom but it does have the high-powered skills and charismas of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman who make it still worth watching. The supporting cast of character actors are excellent too. This nervous sex comedy was probably a bit daring in its day. The societal restraints of the 1950s on manners and morals is almost unbelievable, but it's true - I remember it well!
This week – the musicals of 1993
In 1993, ‘The Who’s Tommy’ opened on Broadway and Bernadette Peters and Martin Short starred in ‘The Goodbye Girl’ with music by Marvin Hamlisch. There was also the English import, ‘Blood Brothers’, by Willy Russell and Chita Rivera provided the star power for Kander and Ebb’s ‘Kiss Of The Spider Woman’.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Good News Bad News’ (from ‘The Goodbye Girl’), ‘It’s A Boy’ and ‘PinBall Wizard’ (‘The Who’s Tommy’), ‘Marilyn Monroe’ (‘Blood Brothers’) and ‘Where You Are’ (‘Kiss Of The Spider Woman’).
Performers include: Chita Rivera, Martin Short, Bernadette Peters, Brent Carver, Kiki Dee and Con O’Neill.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Music by Gioachino
Rossini
Directed by Priscilla
Jackman
Opera Australia
Canberra Theatre to
17 September
Reviewed by Len Power
15 September 2022
As the overture commenced for Rossini’s ‘The Barber of
Seville’, it was a bit of a shock to become aware of the cast wearing all kinds
of big moustaches and standing motionless on the dimly lit set. They were staring at us with what seemed to be
sinister intent.
It was all a joke, of course, and it signalled that disguises were going to be a major part of the story. Rossini’s opera is a delightful romantic and farcical romp. Count Almaviva, in love with Rosina, enlists the help of the roguish barber, Figaro, to win her hand in marriage. A dizzying plot ensues with Almaviva donning not very convincing disguises to outwit Rosina’s guardian, Dr Bartolo, who plans to marry Rosina himself to get his hands on her fortune.
Set in Victoria’s wine country (where there really is a town called Seville), the set for Opera Australia’s production has been cleverly designed by Michael Scott-Mitchell to evoke one of those old shops with original fittings you can still find in country towns around the country. The use of moustaches throughout the show on costumes, set and props reminds us that we are just here to have a good time. Even the doctors have moustaches painted on their face masks.
The director, Priscilla Jackman, keeps the fun moving at a fast pace. Every moment and set change has been tightly choreographed, making it a pleasure to watch as well as listen to.
This touring production has alternating cast members. At the opening night performance every character was beautifully played by this well-directed ensemble and their singing was excellent. Esther Song sang and acted a superb Rosina and there were great comic characterizations and singing from Nicholas Jones as Count Almaviva, Haotian Qi as Figaro, Andrew Moran as Dr Bartolo, Shane Lowrencev as Don Basilio, David King as Fiorello, Jennifer Black as Berta and the rest of the cast. A children’s chorus of locals sang well and confidently joined in the quirky spirit of the production.
The conductor, Luke Spicer, ensured that both singers and orchestra produced a fine sound for this beautiful score.
This production of ‘The Barber of Seville’ was a delight from start to finish. It’s hilariously wacky, beautifully sung and acted and a sumptuous feast for the eyes as well.
Photo by Jeff Busby
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’, 'Classical Mood' and ‘Arts About’ programs.
Translated by Christopher
Hampton
Directed by Shelly
Higgs
A Street Theatre
Production
The Street Theatre to
11 September
Reviewed by Len Power
10 September 2022
As much a clever study of the dynamics of friendship as well
as the appreciation and value of art, Yasmina Reza’s play, ‘Art’, is an
intellectually stimulating as well as an entertaining work.
Originally premiered in France in 1994, a translation of the play in English by Christopher Hampton has been a huge success internationally since its first production in London in 1996. It has won many awards including the Broadway Tony Award for Best Play in 1998.
Serge has bought a new painting for an enormous sum of money. His highly opinionated friend, Marc, criticizes the painting and questions Serge’s decision to buy it, causing a strain on their friendship. A mutual friend, Yvan, tries to remain neutral and smooth things over. An all-out argument ensues in which the three men use the painting as an excuse to criticize each other for perceived personal inadequacies.
The play resonates strongly as we identify with both the differences of opinion we have about the worth and importance of works of art and the way we view and make judgements about other people in our lives. The play, very funny on the surface, becomes a personally confronting and questioning experience.
Christopher Carroll as Marc and Craig Alexander as Yvan
Shane Dundas as Serge
This fine play with its excellent production and performances is a highly satisfying and enjoyable experience.
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/.
This week – the musicals of 1963
In 1963, the imported English musical, ‘Oliver!’, based on the Charles Dickens novel, ‘Oliver Twist’ opened on Broadway. There was also ‘110 In The Shade’, a musical adaptation of the play, ‘The Rainmaker’, and Noel Coward’s final musical, ‘The Girl Who Came To Supper’, based on Terrence Rattigan’s play, ‘The Sleeping Prince’. In the musical, ‘Tovarich’, Vivien Leigh, of ‘Gone With The Wind’ fame, charmed audiences and stopped the show dancing a hot Charleston number.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Consider Yourself’ (from ‘Oliver!’), ‘How Do You Do, Middle Age’ (‘The Girl Who Came to Supper’), ‘All For You’ (‘Tovarich’), ‘Melisande’ (‘110 In The Shade’) and ‘Will He Like Me?’ (‘She Loves Me’).
Performers include: Vivien Leigh, Robert Horton, Barbara Cook, Jose Ferrer, Georgia Brown, Jack Cassidy and Florence Henderson.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Directed by Karen
Vickery
Canberra REP
production
Canberra REP Theatre,
Acton to 24 September.
Reviewed by Len Power
9 September 2022
As a celebration of Canberra REP’s 90th birthday,
the choice of “Our Country’s Good”, a play set in Australia in 1789 in the just
founded NSW penal colony is an apt choice.
Based on Thomas Keneally’s novel, “The Playmaker”, and first performed
in London in 1989, the play takes the true story of the production of the first
play ever to be staged in the colony as its basis.
The play, with its many characters, requires most of the ensemble cast to play multiple roles. In this production, the different characters are indicated by costume and vocal changes.
The action takes place mainly in various locations in and around the penal colony as well as initially on board the ship bound for Australia. An abstract set design by Michael Sparks allows for swift changes between scenes. Video projections give a brief description prior to each scene.
The Convicts
There are fine characterisations by Alexandra Pelvin as Liz Morden, the convict under threat of hanging, Meaghan Stewart as the young, bitter prostitute Duckling Smith and Kate Blackhurst as Dabby Bryant, who dreams of returning to Devon. Paul Sweeney captures the twisted emotions of the jealous Midshipman Harry Brewer very well but overdoes the level of shouting the role requires.
Meaghan Stewart and Paul Sweeney
The abstract set is also problematic as it does not give a clear understanding of the locations of the various scenes.
One of the characters in the play says “People with a lack of imagination should not attend the theatre”. A vivid imagination appears to be needed to fully understand and appreciate this production.
Photos by Helen Drum
This review was first published in the Canberra CityNews digital edition of 10 September 2022.
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/.
Starring Clint Eastwood
USA
2021
Seen on Foxtel
A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.
Amiable, predictable road movie is beautifully photographed and has a good performance from Clint Eastwood. Enjoyable, just don't expect anything profound.
Starring Harriet Andersson
Sweden
1955
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
Two different women - a young photo model and her boss - dream about a happy life with beloved men. Their dreams are as different as they are.
Fascinating study of two very different women by writer/director, Ingmar Bergman. Their dreams of a happy life couldn't be more different. Both stories might be real or maybe just dreams. A slightly surreal mood is cleverly sustained throughout. Recommended.
Starring Robert Carlyle, Charles Dance
Australia
2002
Seen on Netflix
Recreation of the landmark 1958 South Australian Court trial of young aboriginal Max Stuart who was accused of the rape and murder of a young girl in the remote small seaside town of Ceduna, South Australia.
Well-intentioned film about the notorious Stuart case. Trying too hard to make the bad guys look really bad, the screenplay starts to feel manipulative, lessening the overall impact of the film. Good performances from Robert Carlyle and Kerry Fox as the defending lawyers. Charles Dance does his cold calculating privileged prosecution lawyer efficiently but he does too many of these types of characters.
There was 'Spot the Locations' fun for me, as I grew up in Adelaide South Australia. The story about the plight of this Aboriginal man who came close to being hanged is compelling and should be better known. It's just the screenplay that I have reservations about.
Starring Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March
USA
1955
Seen on Blu-Ray from Box Set 'Essential Film Noir Vol. 3' (Imprint)
Three escaped convicts move in on and terrorize a suburban household.
Tight suspenseful story very well-directed by William Wyler. Everyone in the cast is believable and Bogart and March give exceptional performances. Vistavision photography is superbly done. Highly Recommended.
Starring Barbara Stanwyck
USA
1950
Seen on Blu-Ray from box set 'Essential Film Noir Vol. 3' (Imprint)
A pregnant woman adopts the identity of a railroad-crash victim and starts a new life with the woman's wealthy in-laws, but is soon blackmailed by her devious ex.
Melodrama/film noir is full of suspense even though the basic idea is contrived. Barbara Stanwyck is superb as always. Twists and turns of the story keep you entertained from start to finish. Recommended.
Starring William Holden, Edmond O'Brien
1952
Seen on Blu-Ray from box set 'Essential Film Noir Vol. 3' (Imprint)
Jerry McKibbon is a tough, no nonsense reporter, mentoring special prosecutor John Conroy in routing out corrupt officials in the city, which may even include Conroy's own police detective father as a suspect.
Exciting film noir has an unconventional plot and some very suspenseful and well-staged sequences. Good performances from a young William Holden and Edmond O'Brien.
Stars: Harriet Andersson
Sweden
1953
Seen on Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection box set 'Ingmar Bergman's Cinema'
A pair of teenagers meet one summer day, start a reckless affair and abandon their families to be with one another.
Beautifully observed film about an impulsive affair between two naïve teenagers who have trouble later facing the consequences of their actions. Harriet Andersson is charismatic and Ingmar Bergman's direction of this early film of his is now fully assured.
“The Broadway Musicals Yearbook” will be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 at 5pm on Sunday 4 September and repeated at 11pm on Monday 5 September. The show is produced and narrated by Len Power, Canberra theatre critic, music critic and radio presenter.
This week – the musicals of 2001
The big hits of 2001 were ABBA’s tuneful ‘Mamma Mia!’ and Mel Brooks hilarious ‘The Producers’. Andrew Lloyd Webber went back to the 1920s and the stories of P.G. Wodehouse with ‘By Jeeves’ and ‘Urinetown’ showed that Broadway could still produce clever and biting satire.
You’ll hear songs from all of these shows and others including: ‘Dancing Queen’ (from ‘Mamma Mia!’), ‘When Love Arrives’ (‘By Jeeves’), ‘Angels Lost’ (‘The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer’), ‘Don’t Be The Bunny’ (‘Urinetown’) and ‘Springtime For Hitler’ (‘The Producers’).
Performers include: Siobhan McCarthy, Nathan Lane, Randy Graff, Lonny Price, Stephen Pacey, Linda Purl, John Cullum and Cady Huffman.
Listen Now: https://artsound.fm/shows/the-broadway-musicals-yearbook/
Directed by Cate
Clelland
Free-Rain Theatre
Company
ACT HUB Theatre to 17
September
Reviewed by Len Power 2 September 2022
Edward Albee’s famous play from 1962, ‘Who’s Afraid of
Virginia Woolf?’, may be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year,
but in its new production by Free-Rain Theatre company, it still packs a heavy
punch.
A young biology teacher and his wife, newly arrived at an East Coast college, are invited to late night drinks at the home of the daughter of the president of the college and her history teaching husband. What follows is a furious assault of words and actions where the line between truth and illusion is constantly blurred.
The play still works because, despite some dated references, the underlying truths about people and the fantasies they create to deal with unhappiness still apply. In Albee’s play we are drawn into a domestic battle that is nightmarish but uncomfortably recognizable from our own life experiences and observations.
.JPG) |
| From left: Michael Sparks (George), Joshua Wiseman (Nick), Karina Hudson (Honey) and Andrea Close (Martha) |
Played in the round at the ACT HUB theatre, the set design by the director, Cate Clelland, simply but clearly evokes the early 1960s living room of an ageing academic couple. In this arena-like setting, we are intensely drawn into the play as if we are silent but unwilling guests of that couple as well. Our closeness to the continual verbal and physical assaults that take place makes it an increasingly uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding, experience.
.JPG) |
| Andrea Close and Michael Sparks |
In spite of the one room setting, the director keeps her cast on the move continuously like prowling animals ready to attack. Body language and use of props as well as dialogue delivery has clearly been worked on with great care and insight, resulting in a highly believable and in-depth interaction between these four people.
The four performers, Andrea Close as Martha, the college president’s daughter, Michael Sparks as her fading husband, George, Joshua Wiseman as Nick, the smug young biology teacher and Karina Hudson as Honey, his nervous, secretive wife, all give extraordinary and memorable performances.
This iconic play has lost none of its power. It’s shocking, insightful and disturbing but also surprisingly very funny. An opportunity to see this classic, especially in such a good production as this, is not to be missed.
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/.
Stars: Barbara Stanwyck
USA
1946
Seen on Blu-Ray from box set 'Essential Film Noir Vol. 3' (Imprint)
A man is reunited with his childhood friend and her husband, who believe he knows the truth about the death of her rich aunt years earlier.
Turgid film noir with performances of great conviction from the stars who make a rather contrived plot quite believable. Entertaining and suspenseful the whole way. Great music score, too, by Max Steiner.
Music by Frederick
Loewe
Directed by Anne
Somes
Free-Rain Theatre
Company production
At the Q Theatre,
Queanbeyan to 25 September
Reviewed by Len Power
1 September 2022
The musical, ‘My Fair Lady’, which opened on Broadway in
1956, was the phenomenon of its era. It became
the longest running musical ever until overtaken by shows such as ‘Cats’ and ‘The
Phantom of the Opera’. A perennial
favourite, it continues to be revived around the world.
This story of a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, whose rough speech and manners are transformed by phonetician, Henry Higgins, and who is presented at Court as a refined upper-class young lady, retains the spirit and social comment of George Bernard Shaw’s play, ‘Pygmalion’, on which it is based.
The director of this new production, Anne Somes, has a fine cast of principal players and chorus who sing, act and dance the show with enthusiasm and skill.
As Henry Higgins, D.G. Maloney shows a great understanding of all aspects of his role as the blustering and uncaring phonetician who gets his come-uppance. He sings and acts the role very well and performs with great energy, wit and charm.
D.G. Maloney (Henry Higgins) with Alice Ferguson (Mrs Higgins)
Stephanie Bailey (Eliza Doolittle) and the Cockneys with 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly'
Pippin Carroll gave a finely-etched characterisation of the young, love-sick Freddy Eynsford-Hill. His passionate singing of ‘On The Street Where You Live’ deservedly stopped the show.
As Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza’s roguish father, Isaac Gordon was superb in ‘Get Me To The Church on Time’. Dancing and singing with wit and energy, he commanded the stage. Alice Ferguson as Mrs. Higgins, Henry’s mother, deftly displayed her exasperation with her son. Her excellent comic timing made her every laugh line count.
 |
| Isaac Gordon (centre) with the Cockneys with 'Get Me To the Church On Time' |
The orchestra under the baton of Alexander Unikowski played the lush score very well and Michelle Heine’s choreography captured the spirit of the period. Her setting of ‘Get Me To The Church On Time’ was particularly well done.
The many costumes by Fiona Leach were eye-catching, showing a good understanding of clothes in that period. The costumes for the Ascot Races and Embassy Ball scenes were especially fine.
This strong and winning company gave one of the best musicals ever written a very enjoyable and memorable performance.
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/.