Review - Born Yesterday

Melbourne Theatre Company Presents

Born Yesterday

By Garson Kanin

Directed by Dean Bryant

Cast

Mrs Hedges/Helen/Manicurist – Heidi Arena

Ed Devery – Tyler Coppin

Harry Brock – Russell Dykstra

Eddie Brock – Chris Fortuna

Bellhop/Bootblack/Waite – Josh Gates

Senator Norval Hedges/Assistant Manager/ Barber – Richard Piper

Billie Dawn – Christie Whelan Browne
Paul Verrall - Joel Jackson

Set and Costume Designer – Dale Ferguson

Lighting Designer - Matt Scott

Composer and Sound Designer – Mathew Frank

Southbank Theatre – The Sumner

14 January – 25 February  2017

Richard Piper, Tyler Coppin, Heidi Arena, Chris Fortuna
and Christine Whelan Browne - Photo Jeff Busby

Usually, now days, when a classic play is revived by a main-stage Theatre Company, one anticipates a complete and radical reworking or a rather facile museum piece.   Of this, the first production of the year from MTC - Born Yesterday, a play from 1946, neither can be said.  With the wackiest and most invigorating curtain call this captivating production feels very modern, relevant, relatable to and thought provoking.

This could be due to our continued obsession with gangsters and shows like The Sopranos.  In the program Director Dean Bryant suggests it is due to our current political milieu.   For me, and possibly other Rake fans, the casting of Russell Dykstra as Harry Brock is a significant plus.  Brock is the demanding ‘nouveau riche’ bully at the centre of the story.   Dykstra is one of those actors able to find a place in the audience’s heart even when he is playing a totally unpleasant and reprehensible fellow.   If this particular character is not actually a murdering gangster he is doubtless, at the very least, a controlling crooked thug.  Dykstra still elicits sympathy for Brock in his portrayal of this complex well-drawn individual.

Russell Dykstra and Christie Whelan Browne - Photo Jeff Busby

Christie Whelan Browne is a superb choice for the role of Bilie Dawn - the simple retired showgirl and longsuffering girlfriend of Brock.   In this she has sold herself short due to naivety and a complete lack of education.  Browne moves across the stage in such an interesting way, expressing her characters physical tensions and ticks and yet, also at times, she is lithe and winsome. Her acting and physicality is well matched by Joel Jackson who plays Paul Verrall the ‘boy next door’ character employed to educate her.  When Browne expresses her character’s attraction to Jackson’s character her flowing extended movements are almost danced and delightful to watch.

Costuming is lovely and its colours work stunningly with the amazing set of white and hues of blues and greens (both designed by Dale Ferguson).  This set is of such grand proportions that it boasts glorious full staircase.  Lighting (Matt Scott) makes some marvelous changes to colour and ambiance.

Joel Jackson and Russell Dykstra - Photo Jeff Busby

This amazing environment and the very solid acting of all supporting cast creates a delightfully convincing work to support the character journey and evolution of Billie Dawn.

Tyler Coppin fits the shoes of Ed Devery, Harry Brock’s legal advisor who has become totally dependent on alcohol.  One can only imagine the gravity of the situation he finds himself in - working for a person who will never take no for an answer.  Through Coppin we witness Devery’s vulnerability.

Chris Fortuna plays a little ferret like character who moves around relentlessly doing his brother’s bidding.

Heidi Arena, who plays Mrs Norval Hedges and the Hotel Manicurist, also plays high-energy maid Helen.  

Richard Piper plays Senator Norval Hedges very convincingly as a typically -  smarmy, weak, self-serving and dishonest politician.

Generally music is only incorporated when actually being turned on by a character in situ.  It is really refreshing not to have pivotal moments underscored by a Sound Designer (Matt Scott) and to just be listening to voices, the words and conversation.

Joel Jackson and Christie Whelan Browne

Overall Born Yesterday is a bit of a Cinderella story but it also talks about deception and betrayal and how relationships can get messy.  At the same time it highlights how a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and how an intelligent mind can be very sexy.  It is intrinsically feminist and measures up very well for a contemporary audience.

Truly a most enjoyable and entertaining night out.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)