Book by Mark Bramble
Music by Cy Coleman,
lyrics by Michael Stewart
Directed by Anita
Davenport
Canberra Philharmonic
Society
Erindale Theatre to 8
September
Reviewed by Len Power
23 August 2018
With the recent successful Hugh Jackman movie about American
showman, P.T. Barnum, Cy Coleman’s 1980 Broadway musical, ‘Barnum’, was a good
choice by Canberra Philharmonic Society.
The musical details the showman’s life from 1835 to 1880,
covering his American Museum, his performing companies and his eventual teaming
up with James Bailey to produce the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus. It also details his troubled relationship with
his wife, Charity, and his affair with ‘The Swedish Nightingale’, opera singer,
Jenny Lind.
The marathon role of Barnum needs a magnetic performer who
can maintain a performance of high energy throughout the show. Greg Sollis does a fine job in the role,
singing, dancing and performing the circus tricks very well. As his down-to-earth wife, Charity, Julia
Walker gives a performance of great warmth and sings attractively.
Amongst the multitude of other roles, Demi Smith stands out
with her beautiful operatic singing and performance as Jenny Lind. Mark Zatschler is terrific as Tom Thumb and
Meaghan Stewart, Paul Sweeney and Kate Tricks provide colourful characterisations.
Jano Simko is a charismatic Ringmaster
who performs great circus tricks but needs to speak his lines slower and with greater
clarity.
The large and busy ensemble performs enthusiastically and
sings and dances well. Their performance
of numerous circus tricks was exciting and very entertaining. Choreography by Jodi Hammond was very
effective in the ‘I Like Your Style’ number where the movement complemented the
intention of the song. Some other dances
seemed to have little to do with the show and the Bob Fosse-style dancing (and ‘Chicago’
costumes) in ‘Black and White’ were glaringly out of period.
The circus-style set – and spectacular elephant - by Ian
Croker and Steve Galinec were well done and the lighting design by Phil Goodwin
was excellent. Sound balance needs
adjusting as the orchestra was often too loud over the dialogue and
singing. Musical director, Rhys Madigan,
obtained a fine sound from the orchestra.
There were colourful period costumes by Chelsea de Rooy. The costumes for Charity Barnum and Jenny
Lind were especially well done.
Director, Anita Davenport, has staged a very entertaining
and colourful show that moves swiftly from one scene to the next. It certainly is ‘The Greatest Show On Earth
in Canberra’.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.
