Book by Carolyn Burns, based on a novel by Madeline St. John
Music and
Lyrics by Tim Finn. Directed by Simon Phillips,
Choreographed
by Andrew Hallsworth. Designed by Gabriela Tylesova
Musical
Director David Young.
Presented by
Queensland Theatre and the Canberra Theatre Centre
Canberra
Theatre until 2nd April 2017
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
 |
| The Ladies in LADIES IN BLACK |
“Ladies in
Black” is a gentle, nostalgic little musical about a young girl, Lisa (Sarah
Morrison), who takes a temporary job in Goodes department store; while she
waits for the results of her leaving certificate examination, which she hopes
will be good enough to allow her to study at University.
Set in
Sydney in the 1950’s, our heroine lives at home with loving, protective parents.
Her father discourages her University ambitions, encouraging her instead to set
her sights on getting married and bringing up a family.
Goode’s department store looks a lot like
David Jones, and employs sales assistants who actually offer service to its
customers, among them Fay (Ellen Simpson) and Patty (Madeleine Jones), who
befriend Lisa. She also meets Magda (Natalie Gamsu), a glamorous Hungarian
migrant who runs the Model Gowns department where Lisa discovers a gorgeous
dress which she hopes to be able to afford, at a discounted price, if it is not
sold in the January sales.
Magda takes
a liking to Lisa and invites her to her Mosman home, where Lisa meets Magda’s
Hungarian husband, Stefan (Greg Stone) and is introduced to their Bohemian
lifestyle and friends, who include the charming refugee, Rudi (Bobby Fox). Gradually,
she discovers a whole different world to the one that she has been brought up
in.
Along the
way Lisa learns that Patty’s marriage is faltering because of her apparent
inability to conceive; that Fay is worrying because she is approaching her 30th
birthday and is weary of the procession of dull men who pass through her life,
and that everyone is intrigued by their kindly work colleague, Miss Jacobs
(Trisha Noble) who won’t reveal her first name.
 |
| Sara Morrison as Lisa |
Impressive
performances abound with Sarah Morrison capturing exactly the right tone as the
blossoming young schoolgirl, Lisa.
Natalie Gamsu is terrific as the elegantly hedonistic, Magda, as is Greg
Stone in the dual roles of Magda’s husband, Stefan, and Lisa’s gruff father,
Mr. Miles. Also playing two contrasting roles, Tricia Noble charms as the
kindly Miss Jacobs, and provides some genuine belly laughs as the feisty Mrs
Crown, and although Bobby Fox’s Hungarian accent is questionable, his singing
and dancing are sheer delight.
 |
| Cate Cole, Trisha Noble and Kathryn McIntyre in LADIES IN BLACK |
Simon
Phillip’s direction is slick and inventive, drawing on some witty, unobtrusive
choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, and utilising to the full, Gabriela
Tylesova’s stylish setting with its three revolving stages which allows furniture
and actors to glide gracefully into place for the many changes of locale, and propel
the storyline clearly and effectively.
Tylesova’s lovely costumes also successfully capture the emerging
elegance of the period.
Tim Finn has
provided some catchy songs, perhaps a few too many, but among them “The Bastard
Song” is laugh-out-loud funny, “Sales talk” deliciously complex and “A Nice
Australian Girl” quite charming.
Though
nothing of any real consequence happens in the storyline in which the
inevitable happy endings can be seen a mile-off, the creatives and cast of
“Ladies in Black” have succeeded in creating a charming slice-of-life musical which,
without becoming cloying, taps into a nostalgia for a period still lurking in
the memories of many in the audience, gently visiting themes of feminism,
domestic violence and multi-culturalism along the way.
Canberra is
one of only four cities to have had the opportunity to have seen this Helpmann
Award-winning Australian musical. It finishes its current tour in Canberra on
Sunday. Don’t miss the opportunity. You’ll kick yourself if you do.
Photos by David James McCarthy
This review originally published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 29th March 2017