THE SUNSHINE CLUB

 

 

The Sunshine Club.

Written and directed by Wesley Enoch AM. Composer and original music by  John Rodgers. Musical director Shenzo Gregorio.Choreographer Yolande Browne. Lighting designer Ben Hughes. Set and costume realiser Adrienne Chisholm. Cast: Garret Lyon, Claire Warrillow,Roxanne McDonald,Dale Pengelly,Tehya Makani,Leeroy Tipiloura,Rune Nydal, Colin Smith,Chloe Rose Taylor,Jade Lomas-Ronan.Producer: Christine Harris. HIT Productions. The Q  Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.. July 31-August 1 2024. Bookings: theq.net.au.

Reviewed by Peter Wilkins

The cast and the band of The Sunshine Club

 

They fought side by side. Black man and white man facing death with courage and fear, supporting their mates as equals to keep their country free. In Wesley Enoch’s musical play The Sunshine Club, currently touring the country, aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle (Garret Lyon) returns home from the war to find that nothing has changed. Blackfellas are banned from entering RSL clubs, prohibited from buying property, ineligible to vote and constantly exposed to racist abuse. It is impossible to watch The Sunshine Club without feeling a deep well of regret. Things have changed as evidenced in Nungawal Elder Wally Bell’s lengthy Welcome to Country. And yet in many ways The Sunshine Club is a eulogy to the failure of the Voice referendum and a call to continue the fight for recognition and reconciliation.

Claire Warrilow as Rose and Garret Lyon as Frank Doyle in The Sunshine Club

Enoch paves the way with a musical that offers hope in the first act when Doyle establishes The Sunshine Club where white and black people can congregate, dance, sing and have fun together. When Doyle is refused entry  by the doorman at a Mayoral reception for returned soldiers, Reverend Percy Morris (Dale Pengilly) intervenes. Enoch’s first act follows the traditional form of the musical theatre of the 1950s. Doyle’s return to his Aunty Faith Doyle, beautifully played by Roxanne Macdonald, and his sister Pearl (Tehya Makani) reflects the love and devotion of family. Enoch’s introduction of the play’s love story blossoms between the reverend’s daughter, Rose (Clare Warrilow) and Doyle. The audience is lured into a happy ever after scenario in the first act. They warm to the uplifting  portrayal of  the familial bond. They are charmed by the boy meets girl romance. They swing or tap along in their seats to the joyful song and dance of the patrons of the club, and  the band’s lively accompaniment. And they laugh at the comical action of Dave Daylight (Leeroy Tipiloura) while empathising with his unrequited love for Pearl. 

Roxanne McDonald as Aunty Faith Doyle

 But The Sunshine Club casts a shadow in the second act that exposes the fissures that still exist in Australia’s relationship between its First Nations people and the future occupiers of the land. Enoch turns the tables on complacency in the second act. Enoch’s lyrics to the songs and John Rodger’s composition under the musical direction of Shenzo Gregorio reveal a darker, more sombre aspect to the themes. Aunty Faith turns to the spirit of het late husband for guidance. Reverend Morris is confronted with his conflicting attitudes when faced with the prospect of his daughter’s wish to marry Doyle. Pearl learns the dangers of the predatory deceit of the play’s villain Peter Walsh (Rune Nydal). But it is the chilling outrage by Doyle against the forces of prejudice and discrimination that jolts the sensibilities. Enoch and his outstanding ensemble lure us to a startling realization. Lyon’s delivery of Doyle, whisky flask in hand, singleted and railing with physical force against the demons is galvanizing in its agony. 

Claire Warrilow as Rose Morris in The Sunshine Club

 Enoch’s direction finds a powerful single focus as the company form a tight knit group to face the audience with the final number If Not Now Then When? The closing reprise of The Sunshine Club’s title number by the cast reminds us of what could be, but we are left with the bitter taste of unresolved issue and a gap still waiting to be closed. This is the human aspect of this highly entertaining production with a sting in the tail. Christine Harris and HIT Productions have assembled a first rate company of highly  talented cast and creatives to tour The Sunshine Club. It neither rants nor raves but it does remind us of a mission that remains unfulfilled.

Don’t miss this important production either at The Q or on tour at a theatre near you.