Saturday April 15th 2006
| Review |
South Pacific |
|
THIS really is a fantastic
show, and the perfect antidote to this week’s cold, damp, unseasonal weather. Rosemary Guy’s production has
everything possible going for it – great staging, a super set and props,
smashing costumes, a first-class orchestra (musical director Jane Lee), a
marvellous chorus and an excellent principal line-up. And of course there’s a
fantastic score too, with every song a winner. Suzy Collins is absolutely wonderful
as Ensign Nellie Forbush – bubbly, enthusiastic and slightly mad-cap on the
one hand, sensible, full of doubts and in love on the other, and as expressive
as they come. The object of her emotions, Emile de Becque, is played with
sincerity and reserve, although perhaps too little Gallic charm, by Richard
Bennett. Anne Maynard gives a lovely
performance as the brash Bloody Mary, with just the right amount of cheeky
slyness, and Victoria Richardson is delightful as her daughter, Liat, in love
with Lt. Joseph Cable (a fine Andy Steeds). There’s a super characterisation too
from Mark Amos as Luther Billis, and Jake Barnes and Alice Davis are beautifully
animated as Emile’s children, Lauren and Ngana. (These roles are also played
by Mabel Collins and Zoe Chapple.) Yes, I know it’s probably been said before, but
this really is some enchanted evening. Linda Kirkman |
Friday April 21st 2006
| South Pacific |
Ringwood Musical & |
|
DIRECTOR Rosemary Guy had her heart set on
Rogers and Hammerstein's second longest running Broadway show, South Pacific,
for some time and, together with producer Sam Coleman, put on a show to make
Ringwood sit up and listen.. Although the musical is predominantly a romance
set during the war, there are several poignant moments reminding us of the
personal dangers and tragedies of war and the discriminations and attitudes
towards age, women and colour, more prevalent in those times. Suzy Collins as Ensign Nellie Forbush was cute,
sparky, word perfect, and sang beautifully - even with an American accent. Her
co-star, Richard Bennett, was utterly gorgeous as Emile de Becque. He wisely
resisted the temptation to perform as a caricature Frenchman and instead gave a
subtly romantic and highly credible performance. The lively, engaging Anne Maynard as Bloody Mary was an absolute riot. She had so much fun with the part, cajoling the American men with cheeky confidence. The male chorus thoroughly enjoyed themselves
and belted out There Is Nothing Like A Dame, and the marvellous orchestra, led
by Jane Lee, was the icing on the cake. In many ways this performance was more
enjoyable than the 1958 film, the humour was better played by the RMDS team and
the emotion more passionate. Sally Meineck |