Music by John Kander,
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Conceived by Scott
Ellis, Susan Stroman and David Thompson
Directed by Jarrad
West
Canberra REP, Theatre
3 to 1 June
Reviewed by Len Power
17 May 2019
Broadway composer John Kander and his lyricist partner, Fred
Ebb, are best known for their musicals ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Chicago’. The musical revue, ‘The World Goes ‘Round’,
first performed in 1991, showcases songs mostly from their musicals written
from the early 1960s up to the early 90s.
Performed by the employees in an American-style bar well-designed
by Chris Baldock, the production has a slightly surreal quality. Are these people real or are they
ghosts? It’s a clever idea that appeals
to your imagination while allowing the songs to speak for themselves with no
narrative or linking dialogue.
The intended cast of five has increased to six, due to the
sudden indisposition of Samantha Marceddo.
Director, Jarrad West, and choreographer, Caitlin Schilg, have taken on
her songs and dances while she recuperates.
Both West and Schilg perform very well as if the roles were theirs all
along.
There were some standout moments in the show. I much preferred Jarrad West’s reflective
interpretation of ‘Coloured Lights’ from ‘The Rink’ rather than Liza Minnelli’s
too strident original version. The
songs, ‘I Don’t Remember You’ from ‘The Happy Time’ and ‘Sometimes A Day Goes
By’, became a haunting duet well sung by Isaac Gordon and Joel Hutchings. Isaac Gordon also proved to be a fiercely
good skater in ‘The Rink’ and Joel Hutchings sang an electrifying ‘Kiss of the
Spider Woman’.
Julia Walker sang a delicately nuanced ‘A Quiet Thing’ from
‘Flora The Red Menace’ and Louiza Blomfield was especially funny in her duet
with Jarrad West, ‘The Grass Is Always Greener’, from ‘Woman Of The Year’. Caitlin Schilg performed and sang a smouldering
‘All That Jazz’ and her choreography overall for the show was just right.
Musical director, Alex Unikowski, has obtained fine results
with the singers and the band. Costumes
by Fiona Leach were nicely judged and imaginative. Lighting by Helen Nosworthy had a couple of
opening night glitches but was otherwise well done.
The sound design and operation by Joel Edmondson was problematic. Performers and band were too strongly
amplified for this small venue. The
lyrics need to be clearly heard but these were often distorted by the level of
amplification and it was painful listening to it at times.
Apart from the sound issue, Jarrad West has directed an entertaining
and very enjoyable show.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.