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The Queen of Widows!
20th May 2008
By
Cheryl Threadgold
A
show regally crowned ‘The Queen of Operettas’, elegantly set in Paris
in 1905. Sounds intriguingly splendid? Indeed it will be when Babirra
Music Theatre's The Merry
Widow takes us back to the time of the Belle Epoch, an
Art Nouveau movement in Europe, the Edwardian elegance of Great
Britain and the stylish Gibson girls of America.
 Franz
Lehár’s melodies and songs such as 'Vilja', 'The
Merry Widow Waltz' and 'You'll Find Me At Maxim's' are sparklingly
brought to life by Babirra's talented cast directed by Rachel
Buckley, with musical direction by Matthew Toogood and choreography
by Nicole Davis.
Rachel Buckley says "it is exciting for a director to be working on
such a delightful work as The
Merry Widow. It is also a trifle daunting as the
traditional purists may not embrace any deviation from the normal
staging of this show. The music is so perfect that one would never
interfere with it, but with staging we can create a change that
still encapsulates the storyline, but builds in excitement. We have
chosen to make the show build from the restrained elegance in Act
One, to the mysterious interest in Act Two, up to the vibrant and
non-traditional Maxim's restaurant in Act Three, with a slightly
Bohemian Moulin Rouge atmosphere.
Chorus Master for this show is Naomi Kenneday.""
This is Rachel's first directorial project and she comments "Babirra
have been brilliantly encouraging and supportive in their mentorship
to me as a first time director. This is such a large show that it
really requires all hands on deck and Babirra are just wonderful to
work for. We are blessed in
Melbourne
to have such a huge pool of talent in our theatre ranks and Babirra
strives to give this talent a break on stage. The cast are
everything I could have wished for - such amazing talent and totally
dedicated to the
company. They are building their characters with such personality
and credibility to the story line. And the singing! The voices are
superlative - sometimes I am so enraptured that I forget I am
supposed to be directing and have to snap myself back into duty!
The full ensemble numbers can lift the roof and it is very
exciting."
The Merry
Widow tells the story of wealthy widow Anna Glawari. The
Pontevedrian
court hopes to keep her millions - the only millions in her nations'
coffer - by matchmaking her with a fellow countryman. So, Anna is
thrown together with Danilo, a playboy count.
To quote
Musical Director, Matthew Toogood, "the show is stunning, elegant
and exquisite, with a fantastic cast who are very convincing and
natural in their characters. They bring out the true essence of the
Viennese style of music and our experienced orchestra compliments
the magic on stage."
Owen Davies,
President of Babirra Music Theatre reports that the show is going
really well and he is very pleased with the progress. He adds, "this
is a show that is carried by the music and we are pleased with how
it's shaping up vocally. We have a group of truly great singers and
a wonderful Choreographer in Nicole Davis. Thanks to her great work
we will have some beautiful dances. There are a lot of people
working behind the scenes to ensure this show will be visually
spectacular."
 Principal
performers include Carmela de Losinno (Anna), Jaison Hoernel (Danilo),
Adam Bianco (Camille), Joanna Patocs (Valencienne), Kyp Lacovou
(Baron Zeta), Richard Burman (Njegus), Steve Crosby (Cascada), Paul
Derrnelley (St. Brioche), Owen Davies (Kromov), Rebecca Domorev
(Olga Kromov), Robert van Keulen (Bogdanowitsch), Julia Harper (Sylviane),
Gerard Fullarton (Pritschich), Myfanwy Oldershaw (Praskovia) and
Tiffany Carter (Zo Zo).
Director
Rachel continues, "this show has everything going for it, including
characters that can be developed with personality for all the cast.
We have playboys, aristocrats, can-can girls, society ladies and of
course, our two sets of lovers. This is not just a show of "colour
and movement" - I think it is imperative that the actors are
credible and so there is a strong emphasis on the importance of
acting. The whole company is so good at picking up on the concept
that every movement needs to mean something. I have always been
wary of actors pacing around the stage for no reason at all - it is
just distracting. It is more entertaining to the audience if the
cast have an obvious awareness of the meaning of the show. Basic
theatrecraft, but not always evident.
How
fortuitous to have the talents of choreographer Nicole Davis and the
exciting set design of Katherine Branch. I am thrilled to work with
the "illuminating" brilliance of Jason Bovaird's lighting design
and I think we are blessed to have Matthew Toogood as the musical
director. Babirra has picked a strong and confident team to help us
present a show that we are so immensely proud of."
So, add a
little sex appeal and flirtation for a feeling of reality and mix it
with the Viennese lilt of glorious waltz music, a dash of
champagne, stylish hats and gowns, glamorous ladies and debonair
males and voila! - we have a recipe for a charming night out at the
theatre. For a season of romance, humour, and intrigue which will
sweep us all away, Babirra Music Theatre extends an invitation to
experience the music, dance and song of
The Merry Widow.
As Director
Rachel says, "See you in the house!"
The Merry Widow
runs for eight
performances at the Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading, from May 30 to
June 7,
including 2pm matinees on June 1 and 7.
For further
details refer to
What's On.
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