Sweet Charity *****
Wed, 14 June 2006, 05:40 pmGordon the Optom4 posts in thread
Sweet Charity *****
Wed, 14 June 2006, 05:40 pm‘Sweet Charity’ is running at the WAAPA Theatre in ECU Mount Lawley campus until 22nd June 2006. It is a second and third year music theatre production.
In giving a rating for a production, as well as the general enjoyment factor, I take into consideration use of the cast’s potential acting skills and experience, along with the quality of the lighting, costumes and scenery in relation to the estimated budget. A primary school Nativity Play could consequently, in theory, get five stars.
On going to see this opening night I therefore ‘demanded’ to be entertained to a high level and was prepared to mark hard, but like all of the audience, I emerged totally gob-smacked!!
‘Sweet Charity’ is a simple story by Neil Simon about a ‘hostess’ who after eight years on the game in a sleazy nightclub, has decided to try and find true love and settle down. The script is hilarious, especially the scenes ‘trapped in the lift’ and ‘Vidal’s bedroom’. The comic timing of the cast is perfect.
The two-dozen strong musicians of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, under the inspirational direction of David King played flawlessly. With wonderfully arranged numbers like ‘Hey, Big Spender’ and ‘If they could see me now!’ the whole auditorium was foot tapping.
Because of the huge number of songs and the almost non-stop acrobatic acting required by the central character, Charity, director Crispin Taylor decided to employ three ‘Charitys’ to share the load. I was apprehensive as to how well this would work, but he made three very different looking girls into ‘one’ person. Their accents matched, and their changeovers from one actor to another coincided with the required subtle character and personality changes, making the switches almost unnoticeable. Amazing casting.
Enhanced with the well thought out lighting and the inventive costumes, which ranged from dull raincoats to psychedelic flower-power caftans as in scenes like the uproarious ‘The Church of Life’, Jenny Lynnd’s choreography was a major highlight. The stage was regularly filled with dancers, all interweaving and performing complex routines in perfect synchronisation, which reminded one of a Rubik’s cube being solved.
‘The aloof’ and ‘The heavyweight’ complex dance sequences were breathtaking. The ensemble wore black and white costumes for the numbers. Kathryn Sgroi smoothly slinked her way around the stage mesmerising the audience.
The director of ‘Dusty’ was in the audience to see his daughter, Lucy Maunder, play Charity (character 2) and must have gone home very proud, but worried. Worried as to whether his show matched the immense vitality and stunning choreography of this WAAPA production?
A small dilemma. If two very talented performers are required to have thick accents for their characters, but are then required to perform one of the most famous songs of the show, is it more important for them to retain their accent, which consequently weakens their delivery, or can they be allowed to drift a little and so allow their skilled voices to belt out the number as it should be performed? I think the latter.
Special bouquets must go to Kate Hanley (Charity 1), Robert Bertram (Oscar her loved one), the club boss (was this Stephen Mahy?) and dancer Kathryn Sgroi.
At the end of the show, Chrystal de Grussa was presented with this year’s prestigious Warnock Student’s Award.
One runs out of superlatives in describing this show. It is the best choreography that I have seen in any theatre show, ever! No mean task. MANY CONGRATULATIONS.
‘Sweet Charity’ is running at the WAAPA Theatre in ECU Mount Lawley campus until 22nd June 2006. It is a second and third year music theatre production.
In giving a rating for a production, as well as the general enjoyment factor, I take into consideration use of the cast’s potential acting skills and experience, along with the quality of the lighting, costumes and scenery in relation to the estimated budget. A primary school Nativity Play could consequently, in theory, get five stars.
On going to see this opening night I therefore ‘demanded’ to be entertained to a high level and was prepared to mark hard, but like all of the audience, I emerged totally gob-smacked!!
‘Sweet Charity’ is a simple story by Neil Simon about a ‘hostess’ who after eight years on the game in a sleazy nightclub, has decided to try and find true love and settle down. The script is hilarious, especially the scenes ‘trapped in the lift’ and ‘Vidal’s bedroom’. The comic timing of the cast is perfect.
The two-dozen strong musicians of the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, under the inspirational direction of David King played flawlessly. With wonderfully arranged numbers like ‘Hey, Big Spender’ and ‘If they could see me now!’ the whole auditorium was foot tapping.
Because of the huge number of songs and the almost non-stop acrobatic acting required by the central character, Charity, director Crispin Taylor decided to employ three ‘Charitys’ to share the load. I was apprehensive as to how well this would work, but he made three very different looking girls into ‘one’ person. Their accents matched, and their changeovers from one actor to another coincided with the required subtle character and personality changes, making the switches almost unnoticeable. Amazing casting.
Enhanced with the well thought out lighting and the inventive costumes, which ranged from dull raincoats to psychedelic flower-power caftans as in scenes like the uproarious ‘The Church of Life’, Jenny Lynnd’s choreography was a major highlight. The stage was regularly filled with dancers, all interweaving and performing complex routines in perfect synchronisation, which reminded one of a Rubik’s cube being solved.
‘The aloof’ and ‘The heavyweight’ complex dance sequences were breathtaking. The ensemble wore black and white costumes for the numbers. Kathryn Sgroi smoothly slinked her way around the stage mesmerising the audience.
The director of ‘Dusty’ was in the audience to see his daughter, Lucy Maunder, play Charity (character 2) and must have gone home very proud, but worried. Worried as to whether his show matched the immense vitality and stunning choreography of this WAAPA production?
A small dilemma. If two very talented performers are required to have thick accents for their characters, but are then required to perform one of the most famous songs of the show, is it more important for them to retain their accent, which consequently weakens their delivery, or can they be allowed to drift a little and so allow their skilled voices to belt out the number as it should be performed? I think the latter.
Special bouquets must go to Kate Hanley (Charity 1), Robert Bertram (Oscar her loved one), the club boss (was this Stephen Mahy?) and dancer Kathryn Sgroi.
At the end of the show, Chrystal de Grussa was presented with this year’s prestigious Warnock Student’s Award.
One runs out of superlatives in describing this show. It is the best choreography that I have seen in any theatre show, ever! No mean task. MANY CONGRATULATIONS.
SWEET CHARITY
Thick accents
My thoughts
It would very much depend upon the intention of the writer of the music and script wouldn't it? Besides which, many musicians around the world speak with one accent and sing with another quite naturally. Take (for example) Simple Minds who in their ealry days (and to a lesser degree today) speak with heavy Scotish and sing almost American. I think it is natural to expect that in a musical performance.
On the other hand, groups such as the Pretenders do have a rather unique flavour by singing in accent.
The question then needs to be, does the accent add or detrack from the performance? Go with whichever gives the better results.
My two cents..
Dixi
Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
http://au.geocities.com/labrug