Rent - WA Regal Theatre

Hello All,

Well, I went to see this production of Rent last night, and in true Kyle fashion, I am going to tell you all what I think. Like Kate, I will be ready for some back-lash on what I have to say - but at the end of the day, we all have our own opinions. I'm not saying that what I think is right, but it is what I think - agree or disagree to your hearts content.

Okay, so I was lucky enough to see the deal where you could get tickets for $20 each so my partner and I decided to go. I figure at $40 for a night's entertainment, even if it's bad it's worth it. Well, Rent was far from bad. Overall I thought the show was actually quite good. I think the feel of this production stayed true to what Rent is. The design, direction and choreography were all simplistic, but effective. This simplicty heightened the focus on the performance.

Individual performances were somewhat of a mixed bag. The clear stand outs were Shai Yammanee as Collins, Shane Jenek as Angel and Sharon Wisniewski as Joanne. (Please note that 2 of the stand outs are Perth home-growns!) I have never been quite as moved as I was when Yammanee sang the reprise for I'll Cover You - absolutely breathtaking! Jenek's Angel was so well characterised. One has to wonder though... where does he put it? Wisniewski sparkled as the sassy Joanne, bringing her own flavour to the role, and her vocals were fantastic. On the other end of the scale you had Jaya Henderson who, while clearly a talented performer, was not up to the role of Mimi. She didn't have the vocal control to perform Out Tonight and she looked uncomfortable attempting to create the sexy, strong persona of Mimi. Andrew Conaghan as Benny was also a slight let down. While the tone of Conoghan's vocals was quite beautiful, he simply wasn't as strong as the other principles and it was very noticeable when he would take a solo line.

Okay, now to the other celebrities... To be honest, they surprised me. Anthony Callea's Mark worked for me. No-one can question his vocal talents, but I also felt that his acting was okay. There were a few moments where I felt that the singing could have been more empassioned. I think that at times Callea sang the melody to the best of his ability without acting the meaning. I didn't mind this (although I do understand the people who are saying that just because he is new at this does not give him the excuse to be average when there are many extremely talented people out there - I'll give my perspective on that in a little bit) because I felt that it kind of worked for Mark's detached persona. I don't think he did it on purpose, but that doesn't change the fact that I felt that it worked. Tim Campbell blew me away with his Roger. He is extremely talented and created a very real character. His rendition of One Song, Glory brought my partner to tears! And then of course we have young Nikki Webster. I challenge anyone to say that this young lady is not talented - she clearly is! Her voice is strong and well controlled with good diction and a nice tone. The problem with Webster's Maureen was that I just didn't beleive the character. I don't think she quite understood who Maureen is. Her rolled shoulder stance and bent-in knees just oozed a lack of confidence - and lets be frank here - Maureen is about as confident as you get! And of course, performing opposite Wisniewski did her no favours - she simply didn't stand up to her partner's strength. I will say though - kudos to her for performing with a fractured foot. Very professional - Bravo!

Special mention must also go to Mrs. Cohen and Alexi Darling. (I would like to note that I can't say who played these roles as the only credits listed in the program are for the principle cast... Please change this in the future - I like to know who is playing what so that I can give credit where it is due.) These two performers really shone while on stage. A Capella singing is difficult and they took that challenge and succeeded wonderfully. While neither of these characters have much stage time, the performers gave it all they had and produced very real personas. Well done.

I felt that the direction was actually quite suited to the story. There were only a couple moments that I feel didn't work. During the song Rent Mark and Roger repeatedly faced each other and sang the chorus (such as it is) which worked the first time but became contrived very quickly. I also didn't like Mimi very obviously throwing her drugs on the floor in Roger's apartment. I've always felt that Mimi was very distressed at the concept of losing her heroin (as a drug addict would be) and that this act just seemed totally out of character. The only other moment of direction that didn't work for me was during the second act with Maureen confronting both Joanne and Mark while standing below them on the stairs. I just feel that the character of Maureen is too strong to let herself be put in such a weak position. She wouldn't take on these two people without having everything working to her advantage. Other than those three minor things, Chris Kabay has put together a highly effective piece of theatre - congratulations.

I thought that the lighting design was absolutely spectacular. The use of reds on the panels upstage was very dramatic and the light beams through the haze were highly effective. Unfortunately the cues were slow at times. Quite often a performer would begin to sing and not be lit until halfway through the line. Also, during the moment I mentioned earlier with Mark, Joanne and Maureen on the stairs Maureen was in darkness the entire time. I couldn't tell whether this was a fixed light (in which case it is the actors fault) or the follow-spot. I know that's being quite picky - but it stood out, sorry.

The band were extremely good. I always enjoy having the band on stage as I feel it brings them into the peroformance more and that the music becomes another character of the story. I believe this is why Larsen always wanted the band to be on stage for this show. I also felt that the arrangements for this production were very clever. Congratulations also to Musical Director Simon Holt for his outstanding work.

Some show-stopping moments that I would like to pick out are: Yammanee singing the reprise of I'll Cover You - as I've already said, this was one of the most moving performances I have EVER witnessed. Callea and Campbell's What You Own - the harmonics and energy created between these two was something very special. And not to be forgotten, the Ensemble. The ensemble vocals were absolutely stunning. Songs like Will I? and  Seasons of Love made my jaw drop.

My final words are to do with the much debated concept of utilising out of state celebrities in these shows. The reality is that while we do have the talent base here to cast a show like Rent entirely with home-grown performers, these clebrities help to raise the profile of a show. The interest generated by having people like Callea, Campbell, Webster and Jenek as part of the production increase the awareness of musical theatre in the Perth community. This will lead to the growth and development of the performing arts industry here in Perth. Already with Rent people have travelled interstate to see the show because of the celebrity factor. These people have now also seen our homegrown talent perform and will be getting to know them and raising their profile. If you don't like the celebrities, well, that is your own issue, but please do not question Eventainment's initiative and/or integrity in getting them for these shows as they are building the performing arts industry for us here in Perth. For that, I say a big resounding THANK YOU!

That's all from me, break a leg for the remainder of your season

Kyle