Xanadu

Directed by Julie Paice

Musical Director – Jem Sherwill

Choreographer – Donna Johnston

Producer - Amanda Watson

Band:  Keyboard – Jam Sherwill, Bass Guitar/Double Bass – Peter Cocklin, Drums – Con Mah, Guitar – Sophie Cox, Trumpet – Darren Milligan, Tenor Saxophone/Clarinet – Lucy Harrison, Keyboard/Alto Saxophone/Trombone/Flute – Sue Morris

Cast:  Bethany Foletta, Ray Maddocks, Jarrod Catt, Casey Withoos, Felicity Legg, Eve Lynch, Liana Petruccelli, Nikita Scott, Jess Ryan, Lauren Smedley, Melissa Barclay, Alex McMurray, Pam Lenders, Marie Darmos, Wade Dinning Nicholas Bingham, Jacob Elliott, Jenny Vanderzweep, Caitlin Bush, Nicole Chappell, Louise McLay, Amber Hemmes, Pennie Hume, Suzy Sliwczynski, Brooke Moorehouse, Liam Tran.

Mt View Theatre

Until June 4 - 2016

Xanadu is surprisingly cheeky, fully of jokes and has an edge of witty irony.  This production, featuring a vibrant cast of mixed ages and talents, has been skillfully brought together by Director Julie Paice.   There is never a dull moment. 

It is based on the 1980s film that was apparently a box office flop but the memorable soundtrack was understandably a big success with songs such as ‘Magic’, ‘Suddenly’ and ‘Xanadu’ that were performed by Olivia Newton-John and The Electric Light Orchestra. 

This fun and very funny production opens on a delightful painting by Marg Mulheim projected onto a scrim, behind which, an extremely tight and exhilarating band headed by Jem Sherwill plays the overture with aplomb. 

When the scrim is lifted we are introduced to nine gorgeous Muses and the magical scene is set through a strikingly hand drawn Mural of Mt Olympia by highly respected local artist Robert Wallace.

The basic narrative is about forbidden love.  It is premised on a theory that Muses are expected to inspire human artists but are prohibited to fall in love with them.   However Clio/Kira the Olivia Newton-John role, played here by Bethany Foletta, seems unable to avoid Cupid’s arrow.

Choreographer Donna Johnston works with 80s themes to and elicits  excellent work from all performers who, universally, appear to be comfortable and happy when dancing.  The dance ensemble of Jess Ryan, Melissa Barclay, Nicole Chappell, Suzy Sliwczynski, Brooke Moorehouse and Caitlin Bush is a particularly impressive testament to some of the great dance schools in the local area and Ms. Johnston’s choreography.  And the tap routine of a flashback to the Air force of the 40s (The Andrew’s Sisters routine) is impressive and really enjoyable for the audience.

Liana Petruccelli and Nikita Scott are standout performers as Euterpe the Muse of Music and Irato the Muse of Lyrics and Erotica respectively.  Petruccelli gives a lovely ‘centered’ performance and Scott has a divine singing voice.

Felicity Legg as Calliope the Muse of Epics and most particularly Casey as the Muse of Tragedy ‘steal the show’ with their clear characterization and strong resonant singing voices.  They are a delight to watch and hear.

 

The two young leads, Bethany Foletta (Clio/Kira) and Roy Maddocks as Sonny Malone are appealing young performers who look perfect for the roles.  They are both ‘great movers’ - who would now do well to, breath deeply and, let it rip as far as their singing is concerned. 

Jarrod Catt makes an awesome Danny Maguire.  His singing and dancing is very cool and characterization spot on.  He has some great lines like; “Nothing turns around a crappy neighbourhood like the arts.”

One thought I had whilst watching this show, was concerning our contemporary approach of having directors pass shows over to stage managers and let them go on opening night.  I know directors who tighten and polish their work as the season is progressing.  In amateur theatre I think this could be good as young performers gain in confidence form being appreciated by an audience.  Therefore a few performances into a run much more can be drawn out of them and timing can be tightened because they are over the anxiety of opening.

It is always a treat to attend shows at Mountview Theatre where the atmosphere is generous warm and inclusive.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)

Review - An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

By J B Priestley

Presented by The Mount Players

Director          Julie Wade

Producers      Yasna Blandin de Chalain

                        Julie Wade

Set Design      Margaret Muehlheim

Mr Arthur Birling      Christopher Haddon

Mrs Sybil Birling        Ingrid Gang

Sheila Birling             Leigh Tangee

Eric Birling                 Ryan Vanderzweep

Gerald Croft               Bradley Chivell

Inspector Goole         Frank O’Connor

Enda the Maid           Zoe Shepherd

By J B Priestley

Mount View Theatre:  August – September 2015

An Inspector Calls a theatre classic or ‘piece preserved in aspic’?  I am grateful to The Mount Players for bring us, what is, I guess, ostensibly a ‘museum piece’.   In this way they have reminded us of just how pertinent and relevant theatre classics can be.  This is a very interesting, worthwhile and well managed production – a must to see for any lover of classic theatre.

To set the mood of the era for Christina Finch has gathered together a delightful sextet to play music of the 1912 in the foyer.  This is when J B Priestly set this work he wrote in 1945.  Ms. Finch makes some excellent music choices for absorbing the ambiance whilst sipping sherry.

On entering the theatre one notices that the set is painted the same color as the auditorium - which has a subliminal affect of including the audience in the follies of the characters.

The story is about a manufacturing family and their social standing, self-importance, ambitions and the societal structures that endorse secrecy, deception and unforgivable cruelty.  And that is all I am going to give away.

Directed with comfortable competence by Julie Wade it is a production in which all actors excel.  Mr. Arthur Birling is presented to us with just the right presence imbued with power and determination by Christopher Haddon.  Mr Haddon has a wonderfully booming voice that he uses to great effect at appropriate times.  Ingrid Gang is very impressive and imposing as Mrs Sybil Burling who in her cruel actions epitomizes the double standards of a not so distant era.  It is always a pleasure to watch Ms Gang in action.  Inspector Goole is played in a very clear and level headed manner by Frank O’Connor.  Gerald Croft cuts a stylish figure and shows much promise, as an actor, as young buck and suitor Bradley Chivell.  Ryan Vandersweep truly comes into character (Eric Birling) in the third act of the play where he elicits sympathy and understanding.  Leigh Tangee shines as the smart quick witted and kind hearted Shelia Birling.   And Zoe Shepard makes an appropriate and sweet maid Edna.

A rich and rewarding night of thought provoking Theatre.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)