The Producers @ Playlovers

Tue, 16 July 2013, 07:45 am

Peter Clark17 posts in thread

FINAL 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

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Peter ClarkTue, 16 July 2013, 07:45 am

Walter PlingeFri, 19 July 2013, 03:00 pm

Another Point of View.

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.

Walter PlingeFri, 19 July 2013, 04:27 pm

*sigh*

"their"

Walter PlingeFri, 19 July 2013, 05:40 pm

I don't know which film you

I don't know which film you were watching but the set is no where near what I saw in the film. I don't recall the film set having white curved steps, red and orange painted floor or two tone blue stripes on the walls.

Walter PlingeFri, 19 July 2013, 05:43 pm

Anonymous Walter

Maybe "Walter" should spend his or her time working on grammar and punctuation rather than bagging a Community theatre production that has had an enormous amount of time and effort (unpaid) put into it.

KimberleyFri, 19 July 2013, 06:53 pm

For the record

Yes, I am a member of Playlovers and I am on the ITA committee, but I have no idea of the Finley results or even what my mother thought of The Producers. We live in Perth, people. If I didn't review plays in which I know people, I probably could have reviewed maybe two plays, amateur or professional in the last decade. I did see the show at a different performance to the cowardly and anonymous Walter Plinge because I saw a matinee. I have not seen the movie since it first came out on DVD and recall very little. I can not comment on whether or not there were similarities. I stand by everything I have said. One of the joys of theatre is that it can be vastly different between performances...it is part of what makes it exciting. Also I don't post reviews on here, because of my connection to the ITA...but I don't have control over what is reposted from other sites. Playlovers and Peter Clark would be happy to tell you that my reviews of both Playlovers' and Peter's shows have not always been this glowing. regards Kimberley

Walter PlingeFri, 19 July 2013, 09:20 pm

How dare you

Post such an anonymous comment? At least have the guts to post your credentials as a grammarian!

Walter PlingeSat, 20 July 2013, 01:33 am

Very entertaining

I have to confess that at the intermission I commented to my friends that the First Act was wildly uneven. However, this was more to do with the writing than anything else. It takes FOREVER to get to the setup of the essential plot, namely the plan to produce a flop. While I'm not a playwright my little screenwriting brain would have slashed the loooooooooooong scene in Max's office where we first meet Leo (and get the elderly visitor and faux Benny Hill-style romp) to move things along much more briskly. The introduction of Edward Simpson's Franz though is a shot of adrenaline and from that point the musical flies. Simpson steals every scene he is in to hilarious effect. Alex McLennan and David Gregory are both excellent, the former with the stronger voice, the latter, the stronger acting but in combination they did indeed play off each other beautifully. It is a very long piece and at one point I thought there wasn't going to be an intermission as it kept charging along until a First Act finale with all 17 performers on stage. By the second act this was firing on all cylinders though again, it started to wear out its welcome with an extended resolution. The performance of the musical within the musical, Springtime for Hitler, was hilarious. The overall result after a shaky start is very funny and very entertaining. There was plenty of laughter and substantial applause especially after McLennan's fabulous 'Betrayed'. My friends and I goose-stepped into the cold night air impressed. Richard Hyde

rwhydeSat, 20 July 2013, 01:38 am

Ha - forgot to log on

It appears the cold night air numbed the brain! :-)

Walter PlingeSat, 20 July 2013, 11:04 am

The Producers

How sad that you compared the whole show to the movie and didn't just enjoy it for itself. I personally have never seen the movie and thoroughly enjoyed the production as did almost everyone else who has gone to see it. Many people have been back 2 or 3 times. Having grown up with Professional theatre and seen many professional and amateur shows over the years, I would rate this production as equal to many I have seen on London's West End. I'm not sure what axe you have to grind with Playlovers but it seems like a bitter taste in your mouth has prompted this piece of diatribe.

silver foxSat, 20 July 2013, 02:49 pm

Walter are you blind and deaf ?

What a pity that "Walter" is so biased and blind to this excellent production. I attended Friday's (the 19th) performance and was still talking about it this morning. The energy from all the cast was excellent , my wife and I found it thoroughly entertaining. Yes , we laughed, we sympathized, we tapped our feet and applauded all the cast for their efforts. Thank you Alex (Max) for your superb performance ( Betrayed was excellent) you lived the character completely and David ( Leo ) you were the perfect foil, the timid and repressed accountant.Very ably supported by Ted (Franz) , John (Roger) , Carmen (Cameron) and Ulla ( Samantha). Thanks Peter Clark...the casting and direction was spot on. We went with an open mind not having seen the film and came away wishing there were more performances for us to recommend it to our friends.

Walter PlingeSat, 20 July 2013, 09:28 pm

produced

thanks

Walter PlingeSat, 20 July 2013, 09:31 pm

Thanks Ryan

Based on confirmation of IP address, would like to thank Walter (or should we say Ryan) for your review

LabrugSun, 21 July 2013, 04:46 pm

Trace

And I'd like to know how you managed that impressive discovery...

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

designerSun, 21 July 2013, 05:41 pm

Firstly, As the production

Firstly, As the production manager and set designer for the show I can say without hesitation that I have never even seen the movie nor have I seen any other production of the show. The comments about the design being lifted straight from the film are ridiculous, unsubstantiated and silly. In regards to the costumes, choreography and direction - when a script calls for certain elements such as Nazi men and women, pearl show girls, a sausage on the headpiece and for certain elements of direction, that is how one directs and produces a production - to remain faithful to the writers intent.

The comments above are neither a review or constructive.

Secondly, as Vice President of Playlovers - we are all in the same boat (pardon the mention of a song from our next show CURTAINS). We are all here to create a sense of community, to create excellence in theatre, to provide a training ground for young thespians, to support each other with praise, criticism, and reflection. I left community theatre years ago to pursue a professional path and to get away from the us versus them mentality and it seems not much has really changed. Nothing changes, if nothing changes - and this is now your chance and mine to make a difference to the world of community theatre in Western Australia - be kind, be constructive, be reflective and think about words and meaning before committing to paper (or screen), support each other and support ALL clubs as they have fun, learn and create theatre for everyone to enjoy.

if indeed there is anyone who has a beef with Playlovers, please feel free to contact me, I am an open book and so is Playlovers and I would be happy to discuss your concerns, criticisms and the like. my email address is wayneh1@hotmail.com. I certainly do not support the function of being able to post anonymously on this site and anyone with a review, comment or criticisms of any show should have the guts to stand up and speak on their own behalf instead of hiding behind Walter.

cheers

Wayne Herring

stingerMon, 22 July 2013, 03:19 pm

As usual, another

As usual, another Playlovers production seems to have attracted more than its fair share of bitchy comments. That is not to say that any show, no matter how much hard work has gone into it, is not fair game for criticism. One thing that puzzles me however (and I have come across this before) is why go to the trouble of having a live orchestra and then hiding it backstage? I can see how this would be a logistical necessity in the circumstances (I thought the set design was excellent by the way) but it does seems such a waste. Even a big video screen above the stage would have been better than just a fleeting wave at curtain call. Ssstinger>>>

Walter PlingeSat, 14 Sept 2013, 10:13 am

Fair and active criticism

Hooray for anonymous criticism, free to say what we like without the sting of repercussions for saying what we really think. I'm not talking about the reviewer (Kimberly) here but the following comments, do you really think you get an honest critique for your show from someone who performs or directs and has friends IN community theatre.

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