Book by Michael Stewart
& Mark Bramble
Based on the novel by
Bradford Ropes
Music by Harry
Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin
Musical Director:
Nick Griffin
Conducted by Ian
McLean
Directed by Chris
Baldock
Free Rain Theatre at
the Q Theatre, Queanbeyan to 15 April
Reviewed by Len Power
28 March 2018
‘42nd Street’ was a huge success on
Broadway. Opening in 1980, it ran for
over 3,000 performances.
The simple plot concerns a chorus girl from apparently dull
and boring Allentown in Pennsylvania who steps into the starring role to save Broadway
show, ‘Pretty Lady’, when its star breaks her leg. Chris Baldock’s high energy production captures
the spirit of the 1930s with good characterizations and one spectacular musical
number after another.
The cast are uniformly excellent. As the chorus girl from Allentown, Sophie
Highmore is believable and delightful as the naïve young woman who can dance and
sing better than any leading lady.
Jarrad West gives a fine performance as the tough director of the show,
Julian Marsh, and Sam Ward performs singer-dancer, Billy Lawlor with great
style and assurance. Louiza Blomfield
plays the temperamental diva, Dorothy Brock, without resorting to cliché and
gives us a rich characterization that is very human. Karina Hudson, Debra Byrne, David Cannell and
Michael Miller are all terrific in the supporting roles.
As good as the leading and supporting players are, it’s the chorus
of this show that makes the biggest impression.
In number after number, this large group sing confidently and accurately.
They dance Michelle Heine’s excellent
choreography with extraordinary energy and enthusiasm. They must be the fittest actors in town.
Strong musical direction by Nicholas Griffin has resulted in
good vocal performances by everyone in the cast and Ian McLean’s conducting of
the large orchestra produced a distinctive and pleasing 30s era big band
sound. Many of the costumes were obtained
from the CLOC company in Melbourne but Head of Wardrobe, Fiona Leach, has done
an excellent job adding to and co-ordinating the large set of costumes for the
company.
The Q Theatre has no fly tower so that puts limits on a set
design for this complex show. The set by
Martin Searles and Susie and Steve Walsh, working to Chris Baldock’s design concept
lacked interest and some set pieces didn’t work well at all. There were also some opening night glitches
with lighting and sound.
Nevertheless, this is a really spectacular and highly
entertaining production that shouldn’t be missed.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘On Stage’ program on Mondays from
3.30pm and on ‘Artcetera’ from 9.00am on Saturdays.