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My Fair Lady
Submitted by Gavin Dean on Monday, 18th Oct 2010
Date of Show:
Saturday, 16th October 2010 (All day)
Venue:
Geoffrey McComas Theatre This 1956 musical, based on the George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, with book and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe, is still a favorite of many theatre goers.
The most recant Australian production was the 2008 Opera Australia production, which starred Reg Livermore as Higgins, Taryn Fiebig as Eliza, Robert Grubb as Alfred Doolittle and Judi Connelli as Mrs Pearce.
Before I begin I do have one question, and it irked me throughout the show, where were the ushers??? I kept thinking were they running late? Were they not told there was a performance on that Saturday night? Were they ill with influenza? Although most people found their seats without a problem, there were a few who were just bamboozled and didn’t know where they were going. (Luckily we had some helpful audience members that night) Something to ponder Old Scotch!
Being the first time I had attended a production by The Old Scotch Music and Drama club I was keen to see the venue and what this company had to offer. I can report back that I was not disappointed on either account.
I’m always interested in visiting venues I haven’t been to before because the venue has a lot to do with what a company can actually achieve. The Geoffrey McComas Theatre is massive, with comfortable seats, huge stage, big pit, and the way the sets were rolling in and out it appeared they weren’t lacking in wing space either. All in all, a great venue.
The production was equally as stunning. Kudos to Phillip Rhodes for giving us period costumes that had a nice balance of color during the market scenes, through to the elaborate gowns at the embassy ball. The highlight for this theatregoer was the Ascot Races scene where the millinery work and the dresses were absolutely delightful. Well done Phillip. The Lighting, provided by Frank Croese, was suitable for the piece.
Director/Choreographer Robert Ray paid respectful homage to film in this production. It was great to hear that everyone in the cast held their accent which is a difficult thing to accomplish. The overall direction of the piece was good although I had issues where the entire ensemble would appear en masse then just as quickly disappear after every ensemble number. Semi circles, straight lines and a lack of interaction by the ensemble were this production’s weakest points. Creating pictures on stage should be the goal; unfortunately sometimes these pictures were a bit stagnant.
John Ferguson, Musical Director, held a tight orchestra, and the sound balance between the orchestra and on stage vocals were always well balanced thanks to Glenn Bardwell.
Laura Slavin gave us a great interpretation of Eliza Doolittle, and the transformation from Cockney flower seller and Lady was seamless. Laura has a great voice and was spot on with all of those top soprano notes.
Peter Maver encapsulated all the arrogance and chauvinistic qualities needed for an authentic Higgins. Peter had a pleasant voice but seemed to struggle with the timing of several numbers.
Rod Pidcock had great comedic timing as Colonel Pickering and worked well with Maver.
Jack Fowles gave us an energetic Freddy Eynesford-Hill. Jack had a really rich voice, and although I thought Jack was too young for the role, I believe he will mature into a very strong performer.
The standout of this production was David Mclean as Alfred P Doolittle. This role was made for David. David’s interpretation of this role was spot on! His big baritone voice and comedic timing were flawless.
The supporting cast including Janice Donnelly as Mrs. Higgins, Carpal Shelbourne as Mrs. Pearce, Harry and Jamie were played by Ronald Feldman and Larry Dalton respectively, Joan Fowles as Mrs. Eynsford–Hill (yes, Freddy’s real mother) and Phil Elphinstone as the butler were all very strong. John Falonzi was a bit too over the top as both A Bystander and Zoltan Karpathy for my liking.
A good job was done on the sets, and they managed to fill the huge space very well, although if you are going to have the name of the hotel on the outside of a building make sure you can either cover it up or take it off. Because that pub was at the market, then on the street next to Higgins house and I kept thinking, that pub sure does get around! The sets moved easily and what I thought was interesting was the dancing girls who danced throughout the set changes and even in low light kept us amused.
The positives in this show much outweigh the negatives and I can’t remember enjoying a production of My Fair Lady as much as I enjoyed this one!
Gavin has been involved in theatre for the past 27 years, hailing from Geelong, where he played such roles as Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and Juan Peron in Evita, he moved to Melbourne over 10 years ago and has performed in Into the Woods as the Baker, Jeffrey in Godspell and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Having performed in over 30 productions, Gavin went onto direct Hot Mikado for Nightowl Productions for which he received a Guild Judge’s Award. Gavin has also directed several productions for Loyola Musical Society and performed in MLOC's production of Beauty and the Beast as Cogsworth the clock last year.
State:
VIC