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Players Theatre Company
Merrily We Roll Along
Date of Show:
Tuesday, 28th September 2010 (All day)
Event:
A SONDHEIM TRIPTYCH
Venue:
Melbourne Recital Centre Magnormos have a Good Thing Going with their continuing Triptych.
A richly sophisticated show with a lush, melodious score, Merrily We Roll Along is the type of musical where repeat viewings reveal fresh intricacies and layers. An exceptionally talented and evenly matched principal cast carried the night in the pared back staging, benefiting from the decision to include body mikes in this performance.
The unique angle in the story of three friends whose dreams and ambitions eventually tear them apart, is that it is told in reverse. Beginning in 1976 at the splashy Hollywood pad of Franklin Shepard (Chris Parker), we travel back across two decades to see how Franklin split with long-term writing partner Charley Kringas (Stephen Wheat) and drove Mary Flynn (Laura Fitzpatrick) to become a bitter alcoholic. The future mistakes and heartbreaks add extra poignancy to the final scene of the show where the leads are seen as fresh faced, optimistic youths full of ideals and imagination.
With the action occurring around six centrally placed musicians, the absence of scenery was not an issue as the tiered staging and a few chairs easily represented the various apartments and clubs of the story. Dressing the company in black worked well given all the parties and backstage scenes. Of the few simple props employed, most effective was the grand piano itself, on which Parker impressively demonstrated Franklin’s musical prowess.
The use of amplification allowed the audience to relax and listen to the words, although the overall volume could still have used boosting. Musical accompaniment, under the direction of Ben Kiley, supported the singing without overpowering it. The quality of the vocals in some way made up for the disappointment of the reduced orchestrations.
After recently appearing in some more lightweight musicals, Parker had the chance to sink his teeth into a meaty lead role here and he clearly relished the opportunity. Effortlessly commanding the stage, his nuanced and confident performance was a pleasure to watch. Wheat was a revelation as the uptight Charley, wowing the house with his rendition of the snappy patter number Franklin Shepard, Inc.
I would attend the reading of a shopping list by Laura Fitzpatrick so the pleasure of seeing her in this superbly written role was immense. Flinging out withering zingers or singing heartbreaking ballads, Fitzpatrick was at the top of her game. Mary’s unrequited love from Franklin has never been more palpable or more affecting.
Hester van der Vyver was a stunning Gussie, shining in a lead role that gave her excellent singing and acting skills a chance to shine. What a treat to see Lisa-Marie Parker acting with her real life husband, and playing his wife no less. Hopefully they will never go through the dramas endured by their on-stage characters. Lisa-Marie looked gorgeous and was in excellent voice, also demonstrating her comic flair in Bobby and Jackie and Jack. It should be noted that the three female leads were very impressive in terms of being off scripts.
Darren Natale provided solid support as Gussie’s husband Joe. Mitchell Roberts was absolutely adorable as Franklin Shepard Jr. The ensemble sang well but were lumbered with an unfortunate amount of unnecessary choreography that was not well executed at all. Acting with props and scripts in hand was also a challenge.
It was thrill to see Merrily We Roll Along staged with such a talented cast. Next week’s concert presentation of Anyone Can Whistle, the final in the series, is highly anticipated.
Photos: Sebastien Arnold
State:
VIC