At its best, musical theatre not only entertains but takes the viewer on a journey and pokes, ever so gently, at our preconceptions, perhaps asking us to reconsider. Or it helps to develop a sense of something bigger or a deeper understanding of a current issue without necessarily "beating us over the head with it". Many pieces belong to their time, having been powerful statements when first written but losing some of the brilliance as they date and become less relevant.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific was in danger of being just a cute retro revival. I wondered if it would be more than that as we headed in to see it. Excited about the cast, I was, never the less not expecting to have that sense of something deeper. Who would have thought that a musical set in WW2 and first performed in 1949 would resonate with a 2012 audience? What a delightful surprise to have been wrong.
One of the deliights of seeing an Australian opera production of musical theatre is that you can expect it to be well sung. This was the experience with MY Fair Lady a few years ago and again today. Not a single jarring note of slight off key was heard and the men's chorus were so strong that you could start to hear the harmonics above the chorus. Then add the leads and not one of them disappointed.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes always brings his powerful voice and magnificent physique to his roles but this is the first truly romantic lead I have seen him in. And I want more! IT was the first production of South Pacific I had seen where I truly understood why Nellie Forbush had fallen in love with an older gentleman. A girl could swoon into that voice. Not to mention his stalking, leonine charisma!
Lisa McCune brought all of her considerable talent to the role. We all knew she could act but the dancing and the singing were equally strong. Her voice was versatile, Lighht and lyric at times but also deeply passionate. Her dancing brought the playful energy we expect from Nellie Forbush. The character was well drawn and believable.
The exciting new tenor, Daniel Koek's Lt Cable had the song of the night with " You've Got to be Carefully Taught ". Yes Some Enchanted Evening and Wash that Man are running through my head still but it was Cable's song that had the turning point for me and it was this song that brought the production to relevance today. How sad that a song about racism that was so controversial in the 1950s still has such relevance here in 2012. He could easily have been singing about our own ocean travellers in search of a new home. It seems not much has changed.
Of course Kate Cebrano and Eddie Perfect provided talented comic relief as Bloody Mary and Luther Billis and were fabulous. I enjoyed Katre's characterisation of Bloody Mary and her rendition of Bali Hai. Eddie Perfect combined wonderful bravado and pathos in his Billis. The man is a gem.
Overall this was a much sexier version of South Pacific. The powerful chemistry between the leads and the exploration of subtext were all the better for it. It was a most enjoyable production and worthy of the standing ovation it didnt get. I will be buying tickets to see it again next year.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific was in danger of being just a cute retro revival. I wondered if it would be more than that as we headed in to see it. Excited about the cast, I was, never the less not expecting to have that sense of something deeper. Who would have thought that a musical set in WW2 and first performed in 1949 would resonate with a 2012 audience? What a delightful surprise to have been wrong.
One of the deliights of seeing an Australian opera production of musical theatre is that you can expect it to be well sung. This was the experience with MY Fair Lady a few years ago and again today. Not a single jarring note of slight off key was heard and the men's chorus were so strong that you could start to hear the harmonics above the chorus. Then add the leads and not one of them disappointed.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes always brings his powerful voice and magnificent physique to his roles but this is the first truly romantic lead I have seen him in. And I want more! IT was the first production of South Pacific I had seen where I truly understood why Nellie Forbush had fallen in love with an older gentleman. A girl could swoon into that voice. Not to mention his stalking, leonine charisma!
Lisa McCune brought all of her considerable talent to the role. We all knew she could act but the dancing and the singing were equally strong. Her voice was versatile, Lighht and lyric at times but also deeply passionate. Her dancing brought the playful energy we expect from Nellie Forbush. The character was well drawn and believable.
Of course Kate Cebrano and Eddie Perfect provided talented comic relief as Bloody Mary and Luther Billis and were fabulous. I enjoyed Katre's characterisation of Bloody Mary and her rendition of Bali Hai. Eddie Perfect combined wonderful bravado and pathos in his Billis. The man is a gem.
Overall this was a much sexier version of South Pacific. The powerful chemistry between the leads and the exploration of subtext were all the better for it. It was a most enjoyable production and worthy of the standing ovation it didnt get. I will be buying tickets to see it again next year.
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