The Producers @ Playlovers
Tue, 16 July 2013, 07:45 amPeter Clark17 posts in thread
The Producers @ Playlovers
Tue, 16 July 2013, 07:45 amFINAL WEEK THIS WEEK - SHOWS THURSDAY 18TH, FRIDAY 19 & SATURDAY 20TH JULY (8PM) AT PLAYLOVERS, FLOREAT
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE LAST THREE SHOWS
http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/producers-1
The Producers
By Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Playlovers. Directed by Peter Clark. Hackett Hall, Floreat, WA. June 28-July 20, 2013
The Producers at Playlovers is one of the most outstanding community theatre productions of the year to date.
Peter Clark’s direction is tight and slick. David Hardie’s Musical Direction is perhaps his best to date. Jessica Russell has created clever choreography that is nicely executed.
The set, designed by Wayne Herring, is stunning. Designed over two levels, it is bright and effective with some clever surprises and direction has used the set to its best advantage. Set changes are so slick that you could be fooled into believing that they are using travellers.
This is a show that uses costume designer Terry McAuley’s talents to the full. Featuring more ostrich feathers than the African continent, the costumes, especially for the showgirls and the ‘show within the show’ production numbers, are fun, beautifully created and exciting.
Alex McLennan and David Gregory expertly play central characters Max and Leo. Working brilliantly together, Alex’s Max was brash, loud and funny, while David Gregory’s Aspergerish Leo, provided an excellent foil. Musically they sounded wonderful.
Seventeen-year-old Samantha Gaunt, in her first leading role, was an ideal choice as Ulla. Leggy, blonde, sexy yet naïve, she lit up the stage.
Another newcomer, Cameron Butler, impressed in the flamboyant role of Carmen, offsider to campy director Roger, well played by John Taylor.
Rounding out the principal cast was Ted Simpson as eccentric Nazi sympathizer Franz. An obvious audience favourite, he delivered a delightful, beautifully measured performance, especially when interacting with his beautifully constructed pigeons.
The gentlemen of the ensemble were particularly strong, with every member shining in cameo appearances. The women, while not as strong vocally as the men, moved beautifully and created lovely characters. Particularly memorable were Clare Thomson and Elise Giaimo’s usherettes who were vocally striking and personable.
A sixteen-piece music ensemble played well and sound was nicely balanced in this notoriously tricky venue.
John Woolrych’s lighting was innovative, appropriate and expertly managed.
Very much a highlight of the theatre year, while not perfect, my money is on this show to do very well at the 2013 Robert Finley Awards.
Kimberley Shaw
Another Point of View.
Fri, 19 July 2013, 03:00 pmWalter Plinge
This reviewer must have gone on a completely different night then I went.
They say that "life imitates art", The Producers at Playlovers was certainly more a case of art imitating art.
I was disappointed that all the choreography was lifted straight from the film, as was the set design. The actor playing Leo, seemed to have been trying to play Matthew Broderick playing Leo.
Costumes, whilst well executed were lifted from the film.
Unfortunately for me, it was a bad imitation of the movie. Apart from a few people the singing seemed that it had not been rehearsed enough. The orchestra often lacked pace or tuning.
The choreography was badly executed and was not suited to the skill level of people in the show, a side effect of being lifted completely from the film.
Many of the chorus and some of the leads lacked energy and pace, and seemed to be like deer caught in the headlights onstage.
At times the show lacked pace and looked like the Director had shown the cast the film and said "do this".
The lighting was not suited to many of the scenes, including a scene that was completely green during a love song, leaving the characters looking dead. In other places there was simply not enough light onstage, with many actors left to play in the dark.
Many of the cast playing the minor roles in the show simply did not have enough energy and nothing "bounced" off the stage. The character of Ulla, lacked energy and struggled with the choreography and singing at times.
The actor playing Max was far the standout of the show, closely followed by the actor playing Franz, however he did at times appear to be playing Will Ferrell.
On a whole the show was a disappointment for me. I would have rather paid the $2 at Blockbuster to watch the film.
I think that community theatre needs to be careful when staging a musical that has been made in to a film. Often it falls into the trap of saying oh the audiences will expect the film. If we continue to just give them the film is there any point doing it at all.
Playlovers is normally an exciting a vibrant company. I am disappointed that the company has fallen into the "copying the film" trap.
I also question the the comment above "Very much a highlight of the theatre year, while not perfect, my money is on this show to do very well at the 2013 Robert Finley Awards." Is this person not a member of the ITA committee and is her mother not an adjudicator and on the commitee.
Whilst I agree that everyone has there own opinion, this above statement just doesn't look to good. Especially given the link that this person has to Playlovers.