Las Vegas (Confidential)

7.30pm(11/11/08) found me at the State Theatre Sydney. I took my seat and noticed how amazing and beautiful the State theatre is. Within 10 minutes of the show opening I was feeling rather sad that this much hyped musical was going to be a disaster. Tiffany Wood was excellent, great voice , sexy as and good stage presence.That was it for me. The choreography was adequate but what on earth was the relevance to the line dance within 15 mins of the opening. The dancers were good, all have a proven track record but I feel the choreography fell a little short of the dancers capabilities. The direction was loose and I feel could have been tighter, I'm sure 1st night nerves had a lot to do with it, but NIDA's end of year direction is a hundred times better than this direction. The story line may have had personal significance to the Writer (James Karp) and his knowledge of Vegas in the "good old days of mob rule" may be excellent but I feel he did not get his point across, the story line was at best weak and at worst plotless. The Angel?? why was this character there?, (I guess if the wife says I want to be in your show, then that's it). Oh my goodness she had the face and body that would've made Helen of Troy hop down to Double Bay quick smart for a face lift and tummy tuck, she is beautiful, sexy, but of absolutely no consequence to the story, or I am just such a philistine that I didn't get it. (I suspect the latter). Hang on a sec and don't get me wrong, this production does have the capacity to do well. In the musical theatre genre forget it, an absolute disaster,. In the Casino showroom style setting, a smash, a hit, a blockbuster. I doff my cap to James Karp, how many of us have a dream and decide to go for it. Well done Mr Karp, I know you not, but wish you well. Australia needs people like you who are not afraid to follow their dreams. Good luck, with the show I hope Jupiters, Melbourne and Port Douglas Casino's all book your show. That's the market for it. Peter Howcroft.