Book By: Patrick Edgeworth: Music and Lyrics: Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley, David Reilly, Malvina Reynolds, Paul Simon, Tom Springfield and others.
Director:
Gary Young: Musical
Director: Stephen Gray: Choreographer:
Michael Ralph:
Set
Designer: Shaun Gurton: Costume
Design: Isaac Lummis
The State Theatre,
Sydney until June 1st 2016.
Performance
on 13th April reviewed by Bill Stephens.
The Seekers
achievements are numerous and remarkable. Their music has become an integral
part of the Australian soundscape. Australians have been reading about them and
humming their tunes for more than 50 years. That being so, it’s rather
surprising that it has taken so long for a musical about The Seekers rise and
rise to fame to emerge.
 |
| Phillip Lowe (Keith Potger) Pippa Grandison (Judith Dunham) Mike McLeish (Bruce Woodley) and Glaston Toft (Athol Guy) as THE SEEKERS |
“Georgy Girl
– The Seekers Musical” certainly goes a long way towards addressing this
oversight, although, interestingly, it’s the music of the Seekers that is the
focus of a show which could just have well been called “Judy Girl”, because it’s
Judy Durham’s story that dominates, You’ll learn little about the three male
members of the group.
Saddled with
a book which is embarrassingly patronising at times, and which seems to suggest
that The Seekers rise to fame was handed to them through a series of lucky breaks,
director Gary Young does his best to breathe life into a production which looks
a little over-whelmed in the cavernous State Theatre, and often feels as though
it would have been more comfortable as a television documentary.
All the
action takes place in bland, two-level, metal and perspex setting, designed by
Shaun Gurton, which encloses the stage on three sides. Sliding doors allow furniture and props, including
a baby grand piano, to be trundled on and off when required.
Images are
flashed on to screens on the second level, to provide colour, movement and
information, while Adam Murphy, as Durham’s husband, pianist Ron Edgeworth, provides
a connecting narrative seated at the aforementioned baby grand.
If there was
any drama involved in their story, it is only hinted at, or quickly glossed
over. At one point, an uncomfortable proposal scene, later dismissed as
fantasy, is introduced to provide the show with some depth
 |
| The ensemble in "Georgy Girl - The Seekers Musical" |
The Seekers
stand and deliver their most famous songs, backed by a troupe of brightly
costumed dancers who gyrate energetically through Michael Ralph’s cheesy go-go
routines familiar from the television
shows of the 50’s and 60’s. Sorry if you weren’t around then to experience them
then, but here’s your chance to catch up.
Portraying
The Seekers, Glaston Toft as Athol Guy, Mike McLeish as Bruce Woodley and
Phillip Lowe as Keith Potger bear only a
passing physical resemblance to their namesakes, but each offers a pleasant
stage persona and together they absolutely nail their harmonies.
 |
| Phillip Lowe, Mike McLeish, Pippa Grandison and Glaston Toft as THE SEEKERS |
Pippa
Grandison gives a star performance as Judith Durham, accurately capturing the
essence of Durham’s singing style and delivery to create a memorable
characterisation which lifts an otherwise unremarkable show into the “must see”
category.
Sophie
Carter as Durham’s sister, Beverley Sheen, gets a moment to shine in a duet
“Keep a Dream in Your Pocket”, and Ian Stenlake does his best to spark some
life into the role of Durham’s manager, John Ashby.
If you can
ignore the underwritten book, an attractive cast, some winning performances and
a seemingly endless procession of instantly recognisable songs make this show
so disarmingly enjoyable that you’ll kick yourself if you miss it.
 |
| Pippa Grandison as Judith Durham in "Georgy Girl - The Seekers Musical" |
This review also appears in Australian Arts Review. www.artsreview.com.au
