A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Diamond Valley Singers)
Sat, 17 Oct 2009, 07:32 pmcuchulainn2 posts in thread
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Diamond Valley Singers)
Sat, 17 Oct 2009, 07:32 pm
Hero (right) chastises Pseudolus (kneeling) for cheating Roman citizens
This was an odd week: reviewing a new production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Thursday night, then reviewing "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum" on Friday night. Someone (I think it was Lynne Counsel, director of "A Funny Thing…") suggested that it would be a case of "from the sublime to the ridiculous".
As it turned out, it wasn't. Yes, one was performed in the state-of-the-art Geoffrey McComas Theatre at Scotch College, while the other was located in the homely confines of the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall. One had a six-figure budget, while the other was very much a budget production, using borrowed scenery, props and costumes.
So I found myself howling with laughter throughout the madcap, bawdy tom-foolery of the Burt Shevelove/Larry Gelbart/Stephen Sondheim musical farce, feeding off the shrieks and belly laughs of the rest of the small, but utterly enthralled, opening-night audience.
This is Diamond Valley Singers' second production for 2009. Apparently it was intended to be a concert version, but the offer of sets, props and costumes from the recent Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society production prompted the colourful upgrade. And colourful it surely is, in every sense.
Director Lynne Counsel has a keen sense of comic timing, having performed and directed theatre restaurant productions for many years as well as musical comedy and panto. It shows clearly in the artistic direction of this production -- the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances are milked for all they're worth, the pace and pauses, the irony, innocence and double entendres are superbly blended by a talented and exuberant cast.
Mischief-maker-in-chief, the slave Pseudolus, sets the manic tone and pace from the outset. Tom Louws imbues the role with cheeky humour and outrageous self-interest, juggling more and more looming disasters as the plot steadily disintegrates into hilarious mayhem. This is a pivotal role, handled confidently with charm and wit, and a fine voice. I felt exhausted just watching, in much the same way as I watch my youngest grandchildren, mystified as to where they get their seemingly boundless energy.
It would be easy for Pseudolus to dominate and outshine the rest of the cast, but not in this production! Apart from tight direction, the cast is particularly strong, capable and well-balanced. And there's such a feeling that they're all having a ball that it's quite irresistible.
Pseudolus (Tom Louws) and Gymnasia (Eleesha Higbed)
Gary Short as Senex, an elderly Roman with a sudden, second lease of life, is cheerfully doddery, demented and determined to have one last fling while his domineering wife, Domina, is out of town. Eleesha Higbed alternates with Sandra Louws in this role. They also share the role of the courtesan Gymnasia -- a Madam Lash lookalike in black leather, mesh tights, chains and whips. One suspects that they both enjoy the guilty pleasures of these very different roles. On opening night Higbed played Domina and Louws played Gymnasia. Each was positively terrifying to contemplate!
The romantic leads, Hero and Philia, played with disarming naivete, innocence and wit by Lindsay Pritchard and Esther Counsel (last seen as Julie Jordan in DVS's triumphant July season of "Carousel") are captivating and impressive, with excellent voices and comedic sensitivity. Hero is the son of Senex and Domina, in charge of the family home during their supposed absence. Smitten by Philia, a virginal courtesan who is also "a religious Cretan" (her beliefs forbid her from drinking wine spiked by Pseudolus, thwarting a key plot strategy), he offers his slave, Pseudolus, his freedom if he can free Philia from a contract of sale to Miles Gloriosus, a legendary captain in the Legions of Rome.
Both of these young performers more than hold their own in a production full of very strong, capable performances.
Another pivotal role is Hysterium, slave to Senex and Domina, played in extravagantly hysterical style by Daniel Broadstock. His reluctant impersonation of Filia is an absurd highlight of the show. He creates a perfect "straight" foil for Pseudolus.
Three other principals who bring strong comedic performances to the show are Noel Rawson as the ancient Erronius, who steals scene after scene with a single line, Adrian de Leonardis as Marcus Lycus, the slave trader, who creates a blatantly venal character who can be sleazy at one moment and obsequious the next, yet still manages to make the character funny and likeable, and John Leahy as Miles Gloriosus, the vain, pompous Legion captain adds an overbearing obstinacy at the worst possible time, creating unbearable tension for the conspirators.
All of this intrigue, mayhem and mirth is wonderfully supported by two distinct groups: the Proteans and the Courtesans of the House of Lycus. These are the relatively small male and female choruses who provide atmosphere, colour and action -- and excellent ensemble singing. Courtesans include Meg Molan-Cox, Juliet Elizabeth, Anne Sharkey, Sandra Louws, Eleesha Higbed, Jeanetter Flint and Angela Hennel. The Proteans -- who double as citizens of Rome, soldiers and a variety of other incidental roles -- at times could pass for either the Three Stooges or the Three Amigos!
Musical Director, Graham Ford, has crafted a strong musical presence for the show, especially in the chorus work. Gerard Banner on piano adds terrific verve and enjoyment to this thoroughly-enjoyable production.
If you're looking for a really funny, enjoyable, carefree night or afternoon of first-class entertainment, head for Warrandyte before this magical confection vanishes. It's a must-see!
Cuchulainn's Rating: 
(4/5)
Cuchulainn
Without fear or favour
Where:
Warrandyte Mechanics Institute
Cnr Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road and Mitchell Avenue
Warrandyte
(Melway 23 F11)
When:
8 p.m. Friday 16th and Friday 23rd
2 p.m. Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Saturday 24th
Bookings:
Tickets are available from Angela (9439 7843) or email ($25 adults, $15 concession, $10 children, $15 group).
Hero (right) chastises Pseudolus (kneeling) for cheating Roman citizens
This was an odd week: reviewing a new production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Thursday night, then reviewing "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum" on Friday night. Someone (I think it was Lynne Counsel, director of "A Funny Thing…") suggested that it would be a case of "from the sublime to the ridiculous".
As it turned out, it wasn't. Yes, one was performed in the state-of-the-art Geoffrey McComas Theatre at Scotch College, while the other was located in the homely confines of the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall. One had a six-figure budget, while the other was very much a budget production, using borrowed scenery, props and costumes.
So I found myself howling with laughter throughout the madcap, bawdy tom-foolery of the Burt Shevelove/Larry Gelbart/Stephen Sondheim musical farce, feeding off the shrieks and belly laughs of the rest of the small, but utterly enthralled, opening-night audience.
This is Diamond Valley Singers' second production for 2009. Apparently it was intended to be a concert version, but the offer of sets, props and costumes from the recent Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society production prompted the colourful upgrade. And colourful it surely is, in every sense.
Director Lynne Counsel has a keen sense of comic timing, having performed and directed theatre restaurant productions for many years as well as musical comedy and panto. It shows clearly in the artistic direction of this production -- the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances are milked for all they're worth, the pace and pauses, the irony, innocence and double entendres are superbly blended by a talented and exuberant cast.
Mischief-maker-in-chief, the slave Pseudolus, sets the manic tone and pace from the outset. Tom Louws imbues the role with cheeky humour and outrageous self-interest, juggling more and more looming disasters as the plot steadily disintegrates into hilarious mayhem. This is a pivotal role, handled confidently with charm and wit, and a fine voice. I felt exhausted just watching, in much the same way as I watch my youngest grandchildren, mystified as to where they get their seemingly boundless energy.
It would be easy for Pseudolus to dominate and outshine the rest of the cast, but not in this production! Apart from tight direction, the cast is particularly strong, capable and well-balanced. And there's such a feeling that they're all having a ball that it's quite irresistible.
Pseudolus (Tom Louws) and Gymnasia (Eleesha Higbed)
Gary Short as Senex, an elderly Roman with a sudden, second lease of life, is cheerfully doddery, demented and determined to have one last fling while his domineering wife, Domina, is out of town. Eleesha Higbed alternates with Sandra Louws in this role. They also share the role of the courtesan Gymnasia -- a Madam Lash lookalike in black leather, mesh tights, chains and whips. One suspects that they both enjoy the guilty pleasures of these very different roles. On opening night Higbed played Domina and Louws played Gymnasia. Each was positively terrifying to contemplate!
The romantic leads, Hero and Philia, played with disarming naivete, innocence and wit by Lindsay Pritchard and Esther Counsel (last seen as Julie Jordan in DVS's triumphant July season of "Carousel") are captivating and impressive, with excellent voices and comedic sensitivity. Hero is the son of Senex and Domina, in charge of the family home during their supposed absence. Smitten by Philia, a virginal courtesan who is also "a religious Cretan" (her beliefs forbid her from drinking wine spiked by Pseudolus, thwarting a key plot strategy), he offers his slave, Pseudolus, his freedom if he can free Philia from a contract of sale to Miles Gloriosus, a legendary captain in the Legions of Rome.
Both of these young performers more than hold their own in a production full of very strong, capable performances.
Another pivotal role is Hysterium, slave to Senex and Domina, played in extravagantly hysterical style by Daniel Broadstock. His reluctant impersonation of Filia is an absurd highlight of the show. He creates a perfect "straight" foil for Pseudolus.
Three other principals who bring strong comedic performances to the show are Noel Rawson as the ancient Erronius, who steals scene after scene with a single line, Adrian de Leonardis as Marcus Lycus, the slave trader, who creates a blatantly venal character who can be sleazy at one moment and obsequious the next, yet still manages to make the character funny and likeable, and John Leahy as Miles Gloriosus, the vain, pompous Legion captain adds an overbearing obstinacy at the worst possible time, creating unbearable tension for the conspirators.
All of this intrigue, mayhem and mirth is wonderfully supported by two distinct groups: the Proteans and the Courtesans of the House of Lycus. These are the relatively small male and female choruses who provide atmosphere, colour and action -- and excellent ensemble singing. Courtesans include Meg Molan-Cox, Juliet Elizabeth, Anne Sharkey, Sandra Louws, Eleesha Higbed, Jeanetter Flint and Angela Hennel. The Proteans -- who double as citizens of Rome, soldiers and a variety of other incidental roles -- at times could pass for either the Three Stooges or the Three Amigos!
Musical Director, Graham Ford, has crafted a strong musical presence for the show, especially in the chorus work. Gerard Banner on piano adds terrific verve and enjoyment to this thoroughly-enjoyable production.
If you're looking for a really funny, enjoyable, carefree night or afternoon of first-class entertainment, head for Warrandyte before this magical confection vanishes. It's a must-see!
Cuchulainn's Rating: (4/5)
Cuchulainn
Without fear or favour
Where:
Warrandyte Mechanics Institute
Cnr Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road and Mitchell Avenue
Warrandyte
(Melway 23 F11)
When:
8 p.m. Friday 16th and Friday 23rd
2 p.m. Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Saturday 24th
Bookings:
Tickets are available from Angela (9439 7843) or email ($25 adults, $15 concession, $10 children, $15 group).
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum