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Company
Presented by: Kookaburra, The National
Musical Theatre Company
Venue:
Theatre Royal, Sydney
Reviewer: Simon Parris
Date Reviewed: 6th July 2007
After a difficult experience with their first production (Pippin)
earlier this year, Peter Cousens’ Kookaburra has really hit its
stride with this slick, well-directed production of Company.
Director Gale Edwards has assembled a stellar ensemble featuring
stars such as Simon Burke, Scott Irwin, Katrina Retallick and Tamsin
Carroll who have headlined shows in their own right. These
performers support the actual star of this show, the
always-in-top-form David Campbell, who thankfully has never seemed
to follow up on his stated desire to not do musicals anymore.
Long before Seinfeld, Company was an original ‘show about nothing’.
In the time it takes to blow out the candles on his 35th
birthday cake, Bobby reflects on his place in the lives of his
circle of married friends. The book, by George Furth, contains a
psychological narrative rather than the traditional boy meets girl
linear narrative of a musical. Stephen Sondheim’s score is so well
known it almost plays as a revue of greatest hits: Being Alive, The
Ladies Who Lunch, Another Hundred People, You Could Drive A Person
Crazy, Getting Married Today. Peter Casey conducted a deceptively
small band to play a sparkling rendition of the score.
 A
‘concept’ show which is open to all sorts of interpretation
(including the very recent Tony-winning Broadway revival where the
cast all played their own instruments), this version sees the action
unfold inside the giant glittering red bow and ribbons of a birthday
present. Brian Thomson’s set design also include two versions of the
Manhattan skyline and a huge star cloth that envelops the stage on
three sides.
Julie Lynch’s costumes reflect the present-day setting of this
production. The company are resplendent in full black cocktail
dress, with the couples changing into black and white with a splash
of matching colour for their featured scenes.
Within the strong ensemble, there were some standout moments. Tamsin
Carroll (Marta) particularly nailed the third section of Another
Hundred People. Chelsea Plumley (Amy) didn’t miss a beat in Getting
Married Today and then surprisingly actually rose a notch in humour
and pathos in the acting scene following this (which can fall a
little flat after that brilliant comic song). The audience were
quick to applaud Chelsea’s exit even though there was not a break in
the action for this. The delightful Katrina Retallick was in this
case miscast, as her glamourous, young, trim figure made her a bit
hard to believe as the nagging, dieting Susan.
 Apart from David Campbell, the amazing highlight of the cast was
Anne Looby as the world-weary, much-married, fond-of-a-drink
socialite Joanne. Having only been in one musical before (and that
was 23 years ago!), Anne was a revelation in the role. She commanded
the stage and acted so perfectly that even her expressions as she
carried on set pieces were in full character. With her tall,
stunning figure, dazzling costumes and swept back black hair, Anne
was the picture of glamour, which made her whisky-soaked Joanne
voice all the more of a contrast. Rising from her seat in barely
contained anger and scorn at the (unseen) Ladies Who Lunch around
her in the restaurant with Bobby, Anne transformed the emotion at
the peak of Joanne’s rage to reveal a scared, shaking, insecure
woman who is completely unsure of herself despite all the material
possessions, husbands and zinging one-liners. Company is worth
seeing for this performance alone.
This performance, however, is not alone as it is followed by a
devastating rendition of Being Alive by David Campbell as Bobby.
Having spent the show grinning and charming his friends and female
conquests, Bobby’s sudden collapse when Joanne uncovers a chink in
his armour was quite shocking. Crying on the floor, he was barely
able to stand as he realised that being married to another person
was not just about external appearances but about really Being
Alive. David was perfectly cast in the role. He performed all the
earlier numbers with an air of ease and his palpable charisma made
the attention and devotion of Bobby’s friends totally believable.
Hopefully Kookaburra will soon live up to their stated aim to tour
productions to the rest of
Australia.
In the meantime, if you have a chance to see Company in Sydney it is
highly recommended.
Company runs until August 4th at the Theatre Royal.
Bookings are through Ticketek
http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows
Simon has appeared in more than 30 productions over the past twenty
years. Recent roles include Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You (Whitehorse)
and Mr Fox in Mack and Mabel (CLOC). Other favourite roles include
Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in Paint
Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les
Miserables. In 2005, Simon was nominated for a Guild Award in the
category Best Cameo Performance for his role as the Judge in Hello,
Dolly! (Whitehorse).
Simon is also a keen audience member, having seen over 50 shows in
five weeks on a recent trip to New York and London. Simon has served
on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Committee for three years,
and is currently Treasurer.
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