Starting Here, Starting Now

Relationships are fascinating. The dynamics between various personality types, the hidden agendas that influence certain behaviours, the changes that occur within a person when they fall in love – it’s an ongoing source of intrigue and entertainment.

 

Manilla Street Productions’ latest offering Starting Here, Starting Now is just that – an insight into the joys and heartache of romance and the excitement and trepidation of what’s to come.

 

Set in a song cycle format, the show doesn’t use dialogue, allowing the performers to move themes forward through song alone. Originally scored in the 1970s for three performers by creative team Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire (Baby, Big), Manilla Street’s production team has opted to add an extra male actor to balance up the gender mix. While this decision certainly made sense, it also meant the women were featured more than the men.

 

With the use of limited props and a simple set of four adjacent chairs fixed on a small platform and four free-moving stools, Director Andrew MacBean exercised simple staging and let the characters doing the storytelling. Exuding the perfect level of emotion and humour, MacBean’s take on each story was nothing short of exceptional and his performers certainly didn’t let him down in presenting a variety of lovable individuals brave enough to share their intimate thoughts and feelings.

 

Seasoned performer Anita Louise Combe led the way after the opening number, freaking out over falling in love in “I’m a Little Bit Off”. Anita showed her versatility with a heart-wrenching “Autumn” and a commanding but graceful “A Girl You Should Know”. Her years as a dancer certainly added polish to her performance. Other than a slight hiccup in the closing sequence, Anita’s presentation was skilled and comprehensively entertaining.

 

Relative newcomer Christie Whelan was a delight in every character she revealed. Regardless of whether she was venting her frustrations (“Crossword Puzzle”) or reflecting on her life (“Watching the Big Parade Go By”), Christie was thoroughly engaging. One of the vocal highlights of the show was the girls teaming up together in “What About Today”.

 

Martin Crewes added his own charisma, demonstrating superb dancing abilities in “Flair” and leading the cast in “One Step”. Light on his feet combined with a light tenor sound, Martin was a joy to watch. The emotionally-building “I Don’t Remember Christmas” was subtle and very effective.

 

Simon Gleeson returns to Manilla Street Productions, having starred in Another Opening, Another Show. Simon’s grasp of comic timing was once again outstanding. His character work is always solid, but his comedic work is a notch higher again. The mini story sequence in Act 1 where Simon was two-timing the girls was sheer charm as was Simon’s interaction with Martin over being cut from the big dance number. In contrast, Simon’s renditions of “I Hear Bells” and “Patterns” were heart-felt and poignant.

 

Musical Director Simon Holt should be commended firstly for his sensitive, modernised piano accompaniment, and secondly for the exquisite vocal blend he achieved when the performers sang as an ensemble unit. And Dana Jolly’s choreographed number added a further dimension to this marvellous production.

 

Sound design by Marcello Lo Ricco (LSS Productions) was well executed by operator Andy Clarke. Lighting design by Scott Allan was simple; however, there seemed to be a delay as cue transitioned from one to the next which often meant the performers were starting songs in darkness.

 

Congratulations to all involved in Starting Here, Starting Now. What a wonderful night out! Starting Here, Starting Now plays at Blackbox, the Arts Centre until 4 July www.theartscentre.com.au

 

 

 

Julia has been an on-stage performer for many years and has also undertaken roles in vocal training and Musical Direction. Julia made her debut as a Director in 2006 tackling shows such as Urinetown, City of Angels, Guys and Dolls, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, Songs for a New World and a number of variety shows. She won a Lyrebird Award for Best Director for The Witches of Eastwick and her variety show A PEP Perspective won a Guild Award for Best Concert. Julia has a professional background in media, journalism, marketing and events management. She is currently President of the Lyrebird Awards Committee.

 

Photos: JIm Lee