Godspell

Godspell ethereally rose from the stage of the magnificent Central Hall on 6th October, heralding a new chapter in the celebration and showcasing of the creative prowess of students at Australian Catholic University (ACU).

Godspell ethereally rose from the stage of the magnificent Central Hall on 6th October, heralding a new chapter in the celebration and showcasing of the creative prowess of students at Australian Catholic University (ACU).

Godspell ethereally rose from the stage of the magnificent Central Hall on 6th October, heralding a new chapter in the celebration and showcasing of the creative prowess of students at Australian Catholic University (ACU).

Debut director James Wood delivered a slick theatrical powerhouse of a show, setting a benchmark of considerable quality for future stage-based endeavours of the recently formed performing arts society at the university, ACUPA, and as such has offered a much needed opportunity to enmesh the talents and vision of all members of the learning community at the university.

Godspell is of course a musical dramatisation of an intensely emotive story and the happy band of ACU performers enveloped its audience not only in drama but also in Godspellian fervour and musical richness. Six soloists, elevated about the stalls in the dress circle, one by one sated the audience’s need for song, culminating in a more than satisfactory crescendo of vocal ability that led to the first star surprise of the night.

Brendan Hyde, playing the parts of John and Judas, literally turned heads as he started his own theatrical debut at the back of the theatre, singing ‘Prepare ye the Way of the Lord’. Hyde emerged from a swathe of dry ice, leapt onto the stage, faced his audience and started the show with as much vigour, panache and joy as is possible.        From this new name in musicals came a strong and convincing voice. With his family sitting in the second row and glowing with pride, Hyde truly has claimed his mark as an inspiration to his fellow performers and also to his students and colleagues at ACU where he an academic in the School of Religious Education. Hyde continued to perform with guts and fervour over the next two hours, convincing in his portrayal of both roles, in his acting, his dancing and his conviction. There is no doubt Hyde will be back to tread the boards and to continue to build ACUPA.

 The lead role of Jesus was played by Tim Barsby and he never once appeared ill at ease on the stage. Barsby brought a touch of humour, grace and experience to the performance and was more than able in his role of guide to the more green members of the cast. Whilst not as emotionally convincing as Hyde, Barsby sang beautifully.

And so to the second star surprise of the night which came in the form of Robin, played by Kathy Daly. Daly belted out the all time favourite track Day by Day and instantly had the theatre entranced. Musical theatre is about the music after all and Daly simply delivered the goods with a beautifully strong voice that was clear and penetrating. Although I was not at the first performance of Godspell in 1971 I can well imagine that the tingles Daly caused mirrored those felt when Day by Day was first sung to the public. Daly was quite frankly awe inspiring. A seriously feel good moment for everyone.

A third performance of note was that of Lamar, played by Tim Francis. Francis spent much of the first half of the performance blending in with the cast but then threw of the metaphorical bushel and sang ‘All Good Gifts’. Francis’ voice resonated out over the stalls and there was a noticeable hush as every word he sang was listened to and digested. Once again for a debut performance Francis was absolutely convincing and it is hoped he reprises a lead role in the yet to be announced 2011 ACUPA performance.

Musical director Kent Ross led his musicians to perfection and together they filled the theatre with the kind of music that it is hoped will now become a regular part of its life. The element of rock that Ross nurtured out of the musicians was personified in the electric guitar solo delivered by Cobie Spencer, a third year Bachelor of Education student.

 Alongside the music in a successful musical is the choreography. Katie Franzone was responsible for the choreography which was a talking point of the show both during the interval and in the days that followed. Katie was able to create routines that allowed for both those new to dancing and those more experienced to move with style, professionalism and wit.

Of course it is early days in the life of performing arts at ACU and there is always room for improvement, but one cannot look past the effort, commitment and talents that the ACU cast of Godspell have shown us. Hats off to them for stepping out of their comfort zones and putting on a night of seriously enjoyable entertainment.

Thank you to Adam Staples who is a Visual Arts Lecturer with an interest in Performing Arts for kindly submitting this review to us when our original reviewer fell ill at the last moment and could not attend the performance.