Rent - WA Regal Theatre

Unfortunately I need to head down south very soon and don't have time to write the full review I want (yet). Well actually, there is nothing unfortunate about getting away... But I think it important to tell those that might be waiting for an excuse to get there. I saw the show last night (Thurs 22/11) and my overall impression was that this was simply excellent. It's run ends this weekend, so get in there and see it. More depth coming later, but- Vocally, this is about the strongest overall cast I have seen in a show in Perth. Pro or am. Very very few issues, and those of the nature of live performance- this is both imports and locals. Shai Yamanee- this man is a star. This was a performance of the absolute highest order. Rich and powerful and highly-controlled sound- throughout the performance. and the delivery of his character was almost flawless. I add 'almost' because I am sure there may have been something I missed. For me it was simply breathtaking. and yes- I cried bitterly in 'the spot'- but it began during Without You. The image of two people completely in love dealing with one's death was almost overwhelming during this song. When Shai sang the opening words of I'll Cover You I almost sobbed. I am actually lost for words to explain the impact this scene had on me. Get to see him Perthies, cos a player of his quality will not be here for too long methinks. I also thought that Sharon Wisniewski demonstrated an extraordinary voice in the role of Joanne. Some may remember my concerns about her voice fitting the part she was cast in in Guys and Dolls last year . Well- this was her part! My god- I could listen to that voice in full flight again and again. and again! Very confident and professional performance. Jared Newall in his couple of small roles demonstrated completely the axim that there is no such thing as a small role! His christmas jingles man (I think mentioned above) plus the waiter in the final scene of act one were well conceived and prepared, and delivered confidently. His was the first voice in Will I also, demonstrating he also has a beautiful vocal sound that will only improve with age and training. Of the imports I was impressed most by Tim Campbell, who I am sorry to say (to him!) really suprised me by how good he was. Good vocally, and good characterisation. Disagreeing with those above- I thought Callea was fine, and his voice was superb (and I have to tell you that I am/was not a Callea or Idol fan- at all). Nikki showed an awesome voice, but I'm not sure she was right for Maureen. and Shane was great- more detail later on all these! The band were awesome. Really clean and tight sound. The fact we hear so little about them is probably the best sign of how good they were. and the overall sound was almost flawless throughout the night. My wife and I were discussing the fact that last night is the first time EVER we have been in or watching a show at the Regal and the sound wasn't a source of bitter disappointment. Kudoes to mr Alan D Thompson. (just guessing, but did Eventainment actually spend some money and give the sound crew the actual gear they needed to do this properly- cos it sounded like it) Overall my only disappointment with the night was the bizarrely empty audience. I cannot believe that a show this good, with the reviews it had (West Australian), has apparently not filled the hall once. This is a travesty. Perhaps when us perthies are complaining yet again about a show not coming here, or about a talented local heading east, or about a company bringing easties in to play, or about there being no paid theatre work in this town- we can look at the Eventainment/Yellow Glass experience and realise it's mostly our own fault. I have much more to say, including theories on the audience probs (I cannot help but think that with the entire cast being paid, this show must be losing money, and probably not a small amount!), and more detail about the rest of the cast. But my wife wants me to get off my butt and get ready to go, and pregnant women must be obeyed! :-) Massive congrats to everyone in band, cast and crew- and especially the awesome creative team. More next week sometime (too much- too late?!) Neville It's the simple things stupid...