The rights for the ‘Boy from Oz’ where only released for public performance early in 2007 but already companies all over Australia are snapping up the opportunity to tell the ‘Peter Allan’ story. Narrated by ‘Allan’ himself the show takes a journey through the life and times of the performer and includes many of his famous numbers as well as songs perfomed by real life characters ‘Liza Minelli‘ and ‘Judy Garland’
alongside him.
For Marie Clark musical Theatre this production is a collaboration of many great performances culminating in a show that has had audiences coming back night after night.
In the lead role of ‘Peter Allan’, Kym Clark has created a great character and leaves the audience believing they are watchin ‘Allan’ in the flesh. Clarks movement and characterisation was spot on! In the supporting roles Rachel Rai gives a steller performance as “Liza Minelli’ and Louise McNamara is spot on with her impersonation of ‘Judy Garland’ - perhaps a future career opportunity exists here! Chris Anderson as ‘Chris Bell’, of the ‘Allan’ brothers act gives us a strong performance, but the standout of the supporting artists is Jo Hunt as ‘Allan’s’ mum ‘Marion Woolnough’. Hunt dances and sings across the stage with gusto and fervor and has the audience on the edge of their seats during her rendition of ‘Dont Cry out Loud’.
Ole Weibkens set was obvious straight away - with clever abstract pieces placing the action and tonnes of black used everywhere. The black was unfortunately overpowering and the performers had to work very hard to overcome the drab feeling of the set. In some cases they couldnt. There were some confusing moments when amazing pieces of scenic art where flown in at the opening of scenes, only to be removed again 2 minutes later and never seen again, and Weibkens art needs more time for the audience to comprehend the detail. This coupled with multi coloured ‘mood’ lighting by Micahel Whitmee, didnt seem to brighten the stage and made it difficult to enjoy the vibrant performances.
Technically it was very disapointing to hear as many amplification issues as this production had so late in the run. Levels on microphones were all over the place, and often singers couldnt be heard over the energetic orchestra. Brilliant performances by Amy Hutchinson, Kate Dempsie and Sally Scott as ‘Allan’s’ backup singers were clear and easy to hear, but only serverd to highlight the issues with other microphones.
A show full of outstanding perfomances, toe tapping numbers, and bright costumes which will be remembered as a milestone for Marie Clark.
Paul Rodda
Published in Encore Magazine, December 2008
alongside him.
For Marie Clark musical Theatre this production is a collaboration of many great performances culminating in a show that has had audiences coming back night after night.
In the lead role of ‘Peter Allan’, Kym Clark has created a great character and leaves the audience believing they are watchin ‘Allan’ in the flesh. Clarks movement and characterisation was spot on! In the supporting roles Rachel Rai gives a steller performance as “Liza Minelli’ and Louise McNamara is spot on with her impersonation of ‘Judy Garland’ - perhaps a future career opportunity exists here! Chris Anderson as ‘Chris Bell’, of the ‘Allan’ brothers act gives us a strong performance, but the standout of the supporting artists is Jo Hunt as ‘Allan’s’ mum ‘Marion Woolnough’. Hunt dances and sings across the stage with gusto and fervor and has the audience on the edge of their seats during her rendition of ‘Dont Cry out Loud’.
Ole Weibkens set was obvious straight away - with clever abstract pieces placing the action and tonnes of black used everywhere. The black was unfortunately overpowering and the performers had to work very hard to overcome the drab feeling of the set. In some cases they couldnt. There were some confusing moments when amazing pieces of scenic art where flown in at the opening of scenes, only to be removed again 2 minutes later and never seen again, and Weibkens art needs more time for the audience to comprehend the detail. This coupled with multi coloured ‘mood’ lighting by Micahel Whitmee, didnt seem to brighten the stage and made it difficult to enjoy the vibrant performances.
Technically it was very disapointing to hear as many amplification issues as this production had so late in the run. Levels on microphones were all over the place, and often singers couldnt be heard over the energetic orchestra. Brilliant performances by Amy Hutchinson, Kate Dempsie and Sally Scott as ‘Allan’s’ backup singers were clear and easy to hear, but only serverd to highlight the issues with other microphones.
A show full of outstanding perfomances, toe tapping numbers, and bright costumes which will be remembered as a milestone for Marie Clark.
Paul Rodda
Published in Encore Magazine, December 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment