GIRLS IN LINGERIE!

GIRLS IN LINGERIE!
GIRLS IN LINGERIE!
GIRLS IN LINGERIE!
(Jarrad in lingerie?)
GIRLS IN LINGERIE!

Just thought I'd tell you all that I spent the evening with ten gorgeous ladies in lingerie. Now that I've gotten that expected response out of my system...

The traditionally-cold Hackett Hall was unseasonably hot 'n' sweaty last night as the bodies packed in for a midweek performance of "Cabaret". One of the biggest audiences I've ever seen at Playlovers responded with unanimous enthusiasm for this wonderful production.

I've gone on record as saying that I'm not a huge fan of musicals - characterisation and plot development often take a back seat to musical numbers. I'll also readily admit that I know very little about musicals, so, once again, this is all from my limited perspective and ‘unvaluable’ opinion.

However, I enjoyed "Cabaret" from start to finish. All musicals have at least one, big, showstoppinÂ’ number; "Cabaret" had three. The cast and the production did not have a weak link throughout. The musical numbers alternated between intentionally trivial ("Two Ladies") and deeply unsettling ("Tomorrow Belongs to Me"). The mood bounced from erotic to terrifying as the Second Reich made its presence known and felt.

Towards the end of last year, ‘polls of the century’ began to proliferate. One such poll that stayed with me, proclaimed, "The One, Single Person Who Had Most Influenced the 20th Century" was Adolf Hitler. "Cabaret" is an important script because it reminds us to Never Forget. We were frequently reminded of the true horror of the situation by characters’ assertions that, "Things will get better," or, "It doesn’t affect us." Never more chillingly has a line sent shivers down my spine than David Young’s simple, yet heartbreaking, "It’ll pass."

Other things that impressed included the effortless scene changes - an entire lounge suite came on and off in seconds! The on-stage and involved, but never intruding or distracting, orchestra. The ease with which the audience came to like the friendly, amicable Ernst Ludwig, and our revulsion as his political affiliations became apparent. The sheer classiness (if such a thing is possible in the circumstances) of Helen’s Sally Bowles - nice to see Christian Dior lace-top stockings coupled with red suspenders as an effective contrast and counterpoint to the regular hosiery worn by the chorus. The horror of Germany’s descent into evil strikingly portrayed by the gradual deterioration of the Kit Kat Girls. And ‘Bec, I too am thrilled that you finally fulfilled your lifelong dream!

David and Gill - sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to you and congratulate you in person. I was very pleased to see the three main protagonists - all individually diminished by the rise of Nazism - share a well-deserved final curtain call. I donÂ’t usually single people out, but, My God, these performances were GOOD:

Jarrad West - (Hmmm, spellchecker didnÂ’t like THAT spelling.) I remember when he played the Artful Dodger, so now, not only does he make me feel incredibly untalented, but also old. Thanks Jarrad. Thanks a lot.

Gregory Jones - I thoroughly enjoyed his recent performance in "Assassins" and he continued to impress here.

Helen McFarlane - I could watch and listen to Helen for hours. Her accent and characterisation never faltered, her voice reached every corner of the auditorium with seeming impunity, and her movements were graceful, disciplined and sensuous - an amazingly talented lady and one of my favourite actresses in Perth.

Three performances remaining. If you havenÂ’t yet seen it, do so.


JB