Written and directed by Wesley Enoch
Music by John Rodgers
HIT Productions
Q Theatre Queanbeyan to 1 August
Reviewed by Len Power 31 August 2024
Living under The Aborigines Protection Act, Indigenous Australians were not allowed to travel, earn the same money and marry or own property. Their lives should have been changed by the 1967 Referendum which removed racial discrimination clauses from the Constitution, but fifty years on and Indigenous Australians are still battling for true equal rights.
“The Sunshine Club” is a musical based on real-life clubs that sprang up after World War II, creating places where black and white could be together. Frank Doyle is a young man just returned from the war. He thinks that the war has changed everything but is shocked to find himself barred from dance venues because he is black. He decides to open “The Sunshine Club” where all races are welcome. It’s not all sunshine, though, as Frank finds that racial discrimination does not go away that easily.
The strengths of this show are the music of John Rogers, which encompasses a number of post-WWII styles, and the colourful characters that work and frequent the club. The substantial set designed by Adrienne Chisholm looks like an atmospheric old community hall or theatre and the show moves at a good pace with plenty of entertaining musical sequences.
The darker side of this story is realistic and moving and is reflected in some good, serious songs by John Rogers. The band played very well but at times overpowered the performers.
This show gives the cast of eight plenty of opportunities to shine. Roxanne McDonald makes an indelible impression as Aunty Faith Doyle, Garret Lyon gives both strength and an appealing naivety to Frank Doyle, Claire Warrillow is sweetly ambitious as club singer, Rose Morris, and Rune Nydal impresses with his energy and fine dancing. The cast’s singing of the final song “If Not Now, Then When” was darkly moving.
You could see why this show was successful in its original run in the 1990s and, while it has dated somewhat, it still has relevance today.
Photo supplied by the production
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
