Directed by
Jarrad West -Musical Direction by Alexander Unikowski
Choreographed by Caitlin Schilg - Set Designed by Chris Baldock
Costume design by Fiona Leach - Lighting Design by Helen Nosworthy
Sound design by Joel Edmondson
The Canberra Repertory Society, Theatre 3, 16th May - 1st June, 2019
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 18.05.19
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
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| Samantha Marceddo - Joel Hutchings - Julia Walker - Isaac Gordon (back) - Louiza Blomfield |
The song
writing team of Kander and Ebb are responsible for many of this centuries most
iconic musicals, among them “Cabaret”, “Chicago” and “The Rink”. They’ve
also written for film, as well as special material for celebrity performers, in
particular, Liza Minnelli. “The World Goes Round” is a musical revue for which
a selection of some of their best songs has been cleverly woven into a showcase
for five outstanding performers.
Director,
Jarrad West, has set his version, after hours, in a beautifully detailed
evocation of a New York Night Club, designed by Chris Baldock, in which large
posters of Kander and Ebb shows adorn the walls. During the show, the posters
light up to indicate which show the song being performed is from. This is a
clever touch, because although it’s not necessary to know this information, each
song being a little story of its own, the additional knowledge certainly adds
to the enjoyment. .
The talented
cast portray anonymous night club employees who arrive for work, set up the
club, and eventually leave, having assumed a variety of personas as they
interpret the songs.
It could have been disastrous for the
production to have one of the original cast members, Samantha Marceddo, fall ill
during the final days of rehearsal, but the production was fortunate in that
both the Director, West, and choreographer, Caitlin Schilg, both excellent performers,
were able to step in and take over Marceddo’s role at short notice, and indeed
provide the show with some highlights of their own.
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| Julia Walker - Joel Hutchings performing "Arthur in the Afternoon" |
This is a
show full of highlights, and each audience member will choose their own. For
this reviewer, outstanding moments included almost everything performed by the
remarkable Louiza Blomfield, but
particularly her full-throated version of “The World Goes Round”, which opens
the show, Jarrad West’s superb interpretation of “Coloured Lights”, Julia Walker’s
delightfully cheeky “Arthur in the Afternoon”, Isaac Gordon’s delicious take on
“Sara Lee”, Joel Hutchings powerful “Kiss of the Spider Woman”, Caitlin
Schilg’s gutsy “All that Jazz”, and the roller skating fun for “The Rink”.
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| Issac Gordon performing "Sara Lee) |
West’s
stagings of the many duets, trio and ensemble numbers are masterly and no doubt
first night glitches with sound balance, missed lighting cues, occasional
errant harmonies and sluggish pacing will be attended to quickly. But over-all, this production is a triumph
for Canberra Repertory, and most definitely one for your “must see” list.
Photos provided by Canberra Repertory.