Rent - WA Regal Theatre

It seems from previous posts when this Cast was originally announced there were already pre-concieved prejudices and yes everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but this is a new fresh production with a new cast and why keep comparing to what happened in years gone by. I have read very positive reviews from people who have been to this production in Bunbury & Perth and some actually went with the idea that they would not like it, but amazingly they were surprised that they did. I expected that the feeling's wouldn't change on this forum as a lot had already closed their minds before they saw the production, and Kate? please why would you think you would be given backlash from tweenies,another preconceived idea. For those of you who are interested I will post the Entertainment Reviewers critique from the "West Australian paper": _______________________________________________________ START "RENT NOT TO BE MISSED Musical: Rent Yellow Glass/Eventainment Regal Theatre Review: William Yeoman Asked to summarise the story of his future Pulitzer prize-winning rock musical in one sentence, Jonathan Larson said: "Rent is about a community celebrating life, in the face of death and AIDS, at the turn of the century." On January 25th, 1996, the night before Rent's first preview, Larson died from an aortic aneurysm. He was only 35. New WA production company Eventainment seems to have taken Larson's carpe diem message - in both an artistic and personal sense - to heart. This is the third major production this year after the enormously successful Hair and a witty, stylish adaptation of the Marriage of Fiagro. Judging by the strength of this production in virtually every department, there seems to be no stopping this company next year. Rent takes Puccini's opera La Boheme and transposes it to modern-day New York's East Village. Instead of tuberculosis raging through the bohemian population, its AIDS. The action takes place within the space of a year, beginning and ending on Christmas Eve, and follows the fortunes of young filmmaker Mark, whose girlfriend Maureen has left him for a woman, Joanne; the rock singer Roger, who falls in love with Mimi; and Collins, who meets and falls in love with a cross-dressing street drummer Angel. These last 4 are HIV positive. Complicating their lives in varying degrees is Benny, the bohemian turned property developer. The cast is a strong one. Anthony Callea is perfect as the somewhat detached Mark, the observer with the camera who cannot help but be caught up in life. Tim Campbell brings a stubborn meloncholy to Roger, while Jaya Henderson makes it quite explicit that Mimi is as unbalanced psychologically as she is physically. Nikki Webster as the fickle Maureen is extraordinary. Her Over the Moon is a real tour-de-force; by contrast, Joanne's strength of character is solidly delineated by Sharon Wisniewski. Shai Yammanee as Collins and Andrew Conaghan as Benny, both so good in Fiagro, again show their adaptness at strong characterisations. Ultimately, however its Shane Janek's doomed Angel that steals the show - a dazzling glitter-ball of energy and high camp. The ensemble is likewise excellent, there is not a weak link among them, and the band, led by music director Simon Halt, lends solid support throughout. Artistic director Chris Kabay has done a marvellous job with the production, playing with visual puns and Christian iconography in order to enrich what is an already powerful emotional experience. This is everything not just a musical, but an opera, should be. Don't miss it."" END: _____________________________________________________ It appears to me that people who are not "RENTHEADS" or in the fringe theatre business will go with an open mind for a night out to be entertained to see this production and absolutely love it, but it appears others who may be in the theatre or trying to get into theatre, seem upset when someone isn't wearing a certain coloured scarf. Why not compare the original production in New York to the film version, many changes I would imagine. There are so many production's of RENT going on all around the world at the moment and I hazzard they are not all unknowns playing the roles. This production is bringing people over from the East Coast to see it, so thats got to be a good thing for Perth Theatre wouldn't you think? I know this show would pack theatres on the East Coast there are many people hanging out to see it in Sydney and Melbourne so why not enjoy live theatre while you can in Perth. I guess I just don't understand why people would go to a show just to sit there and pick it to pieces,I go for the enjoyment.