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Cabaret
Presented by: Geelong Musical Comedy
Company
Venue: Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Reviewer: Jennifer Stirk
Date Reviewed: 18th August 2007
"Wilkommen in
here life is beautiful." Geelong Musical Comedy Company definitely
captured the essence that is Cabaret. Going from Fame, a quite
light-hearted story about high school performers to the
controversial topic
of the Nazi parties unwelcoming takeover.
Cabaret is the story of Clifford Bradshaw(Ben Mitchell) travelling
to
Germany
to gain inspiration for his writing, however getting caught within
the political Nazi movement. With the help of Ernst Ludwig (Grant
Whiteside)
he finds a place to stay, and is sure enough introduced to Sally
Bowles the star of the Kit Kat Club. They fall in love, face the
problems of unexpected parenthood and surviving in the political
surroundings.
Also combined
with the plot of Sally and Clifford's love affair is that of the
local Jewish Fruiterer Herr Schultz (Howard Dandy) and Frauline
Schneider (Sophie Collins) and their struggle between Nazi and
Jewish Germany.
Davina Smith Crowley took up the challenge to open everyone's eyes
to Cabaret "the stage show" not Cabaret "the movie" and succeeded,
giving the audience a fresh look at the 1966 musical more like the
revival in 1998. You could tell the actors were well directed with
the evidence of fine attention to detail that made the longer
dialogue scenes a lot more appealing.
The roles of the Emcee and Sally Bowles in particular were standouts
for me in this performance. Michael Watson played the Emcee with
charisma, cheekiness, confidence and the sexuality needed in the
show. Joel Grey was
the epitomy of this role and big shoes to fill and Watson at 6'10
put in a very compelling performance welcoming the audience being a
highlight every time he came on stage. A crowd favorite.
Kethley
Hemsworth played Sally Bowles with divine decadence as the British
nightclub performer. She is a dramatic actress if I ever saw one.
She showed in great detail and passion how indulging in the party
life can interfere with the ultimate idea of being "happy". Her
vocals, although strong were at times a bit strained but that added
to the characterization. Her onstage chemistry with Ben Mitchell as
Clifford Bradshaw was evident who I must also
add was had a beautiful voice and a fine actor.
Honourable mention has to go to the boys involved in the hauntingly
beautiful "Tomorrow belongs to me" especially the lead vocals of
Edward Harcourt. The entire male ensemble involved in this blended
beautifully. Also Jess O'Donnell's hilarity as Frauline Kost and her
many sailors.
The band was fantastic! Katie Notini outdid herself with some of the
best musicians in Geelong, the music one of the best elements of the
show. Some of the actual songs in the show were, although performed
fantastically, were just a tad long winded as opposed to some of the
songs that were involved in the 1972 film version.
Choreography by Julian Hart and Assistant Anne Fane was a mixture of
the 'Fosse' required with a modern sexy hip-hop, music theatre-esque
needed for this show. I was very impressed with the chair use and
detailed finger snapping and hand rolls that are signature "Bob
Fosse'. The styles varied in each scene showing the influence of
duel Choreographers. The Kit Kat Girls and Guys were very burlesque
and loved the facial expressions, although sometimes out of time
with each other, kept up professionalism without a flinch.
As much as I hate to point out negative things I like to think of it
as constructive criticism. At times I found the ensemble forgot the
dimensions of the Blakiston Theatre forgetting about the audience
members on the sides, as I was sitting on the side I felt I missed a
few things because of the lack of awareness.
Female
ensemble, although giving great face, sometimes forgot to sing
making the vocals lack volume and quality also leaving the lead to
belt out creating and unbalance in the ensemble numbers.
I was
disappointed in the audience at the reaction to the Emcee’s
statement as he bares the Nazi symbol on his bottom, is was seen as
a comical movement however it should have been a shocking statement
about the Nazis to think about. Having said that it was the audience
and you can’t help how some audiences will react.
Other than that I highly recommend that you pop along to see the
last week of this show showing in the Blakiston Theatre (GPAC) at
7.30pm on Thurs 23rd, Fri 24th and Sat 25th you wont be disappointed
by any means, see the local talent in action.
Auf wiedersehen!
A bientôt
Goodnight!
Jennifer
Stirk has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Music Theatre
degree at Ballarat's Academy of Performing Arts. Since an early age
she has been singing, dancing and acting with her first experience
of theatre as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. since then she has been
in many productions over the years, her highlights being Into the
Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Kiss me Kate(Princess Theatre), Rocky
Horror Show(Regent Theatre charity performance), Judy, 'A Chorus
Line, Chava, Fiddler on the Roof, Philia, A Funny thing Happened on
the Way to the Forum, Mabel, FAME and currently performing
professionally with ALPHA SHOWS in Cinderella. Jennifer also
performed her self penned Cabaret at the Butterfly Club mid last
year. Teaching, modelling, cheerleading and children's entertainment
are also part of her repertoire
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