Book by Neil Simon
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy
Fields
Directed by Dean
Bryant
Presented by Luckiest
Productions, Neil Gooding Productions, Tinderbox Productions and Hayes Theatre
Co in association with Canberra Theatre Centre
Canberra Theatre
Centre – The Playhouse
February 11 - 22,
2015
Review by Len Power
11 February 2015
Who would have expected this very much of its time 1966
musical to be dusted off and given a snazzy new production while respecting the
original material? A huge success with
critics and audiences alike at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney last year, the
production won several Helpmann awards, too.
‘Sweet Charity’, based on Fellini’s 1950s movie, ‘Nights Of
Cabiria’, tells the story of a New York dance hall hostess who is unlucky in
love but forever optimistic. I doubt
there are still dance halls where you can hire a girl just to dance with you,
so the show probably can’t be updated.
This production celebrates the morals and manners of people in the 1960s
but gives it a flashy, modern, fast-moving production with a small cast playing
multiple roles. The book by Neil Simon
is very worldly and funny but with a sadness under the surface that is very
real.
Verity Hunt-Ballard as Charity Hope Valentine is a revelation. This is a formidably large role for any
actress and the star of the show has the singing, dancing and acting ability as
well as the charisma to bring it off. Her
soulful interpretation of the song, ‘Where Am I Going?’, is the best version
I’ve ever heard. Whereas both Gwen
Verdon in the stage original and Shirley
MacLaine in the movie played the role as a sweet but dim-witted girl, Ms
Hunt-Ballard plays Charity as a woman who is basically intelligent enough but
hasn’t had the education to get anywhere in the world. This gives her performance a reality that is
ultimately quite moving.
Martin Crewes plays three roles – sleazy boyfriend, Charlie,
sophisticated Italian movie star, Vittorio, as well as the nerdy Oscar. He makes each one so different that it’s
amazing to think it’s the same actor. He
sings strongly and with great emotion.
Debora Krizak scores as Charity’s best friend, Nickie, and also plays
the smaller role of Ursula, the spoilt girlfriend of the Italian movie star. Her comic timing is excellent as is her
singing and dancing. Everyone in the
cast are working at the top of their game.
The clever set by Owen Phillips with its moveable mirrors
works sensationally well. Some of the
most atmospheric lighting I’ve seen in ages was designed by Ross Graham. Musical direction by Andrew Worboys is superb
and the band plays the score with a heavier rock sound than the original, which
works very well. The sound was a bit
loud on opening night but hopefully that has settled down quickly.
Director, Dean Bryant, has given us an imaginative show that
is totally satisfying. The in-depth
character work is especially notable and the decision to have the cast play
multiple roles makes it more viable in this era of higher running costs. This is arguably the way forward for some of
these older but still worthwhile shows done traditionally with large
casts. Anyway, just go to this and enjoy
it. You’ll have a great time!
Originally broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program
with Bill Stephens on Sunday 15 February 2015 from 5pm.