Book by Dean Bryant & Sheridan Harbridge, music by Mathew Frank, lyrics by Dean Bryant
Adapted from the novel by Miles Franklin
By: Melbourne Theatre Company
At Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, until 18 Dec 2024
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ***1/2
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 16 Nov.2024. KH
6 Kala Gare, My Brilliant Career. Photo by Pia Johnson |
This exuberant production, energetically directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, has many vibrant and engaging moments, several bold and compelling songs, and strong and compelling performances from the entire cast of multi-skilled artists.
The narrative, like the novel, focuses on Sybylla Melvyn, a restless, young girl who aspires to be a writer but she feels that the world conspires against her ambition. Sybylla lives on her family’s failing, drought-stricken farm and the impressive set design (Marg Horwell) transports us into the dry, desolate heart of the Australian outback.
Kala Gare is ebullient, audacious and full voiced as Sybylla, and belts out the songs about her ambition, dissatisfaction, her barely concealed contempt for her father, her disappointment in her mother and her delight at getting away to live with her gran. Gare makes a feast of her big leading role.
The exceptional versatility of the cast is a highlight of this production who are acting, singing, playing instruments and even dancing. Christina Smith is sensitive and sympathetic as Sybylla’s disheartened mother, and it is a pity she didn’t sing more than just one solo; she is a musical theatre star with a fine voice and magnetic presence.
The show is not without some drawbacks: the narrative and song lyrics became repetitive, and the show was spinning its wheels for the last 20 mins. It felt too long and might benefit from an edit and restructure. The character of Sybylla did not develop or change a great deal in the story.
Comparisons with Judy Davis in her breakout role as Sybylla in the movie of 1979 are inevitable, but this is an entertaining, ambitious and exuberant production and the writers deserve praise for bringing us a new and original Australian musical: a unicorn. Give it an audience.
by Kate Herbert
My Brilliant Career. Photo by Pia Johnson |
Frank/Ensemble Cameron
Bajraktarevic-Hayward
Jimmy/Horace/Ensemble Lincoln Elliott
Ensemble Victoria Falconer
Sybylla Melvyn Kala Gare
Harry/Peter/Ensemble Raj Labade
Father/Jay-Jay/M'Swat/Ensemble Drew Livingston
Gertie/Blanche/Ensemble HaNy Lee
Grannie/Rose Jane/Ensemble Ana Mitsikas
Mother/Helen/Mrs M'Swat/Ensemble Christina O'Neill
Ensemble Jarrad Payne
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Anne-Louise Sarks
Musical Director Victoria Falconer
Choreographer Amy Campbell
Set & Costume Designer Marg Horwell
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Orchestrator / Vocal Arranger James Simpson
Sound Designer Joy Weng
Assistant Director Miranda Middleton
Assistant Musical Director Drew Livingston
Assistant Set & Costume Designer Savanna Wegman
Additional Music Arrangements Victoria Falconer
Voice & Text Coach Matt Furlani
Track Producer (‘Make A Success’) Jarrad Payne
Specialist for Whip Cracking/Blanket Throw Nicci Wilks
Offsite
Standby Cover
Alister Kingsley
Offsite Standby Cover Imogen Moore
Stage
Manager Whitney
McNamara
Assistant Stage Managers Tom O'Sullivan, Annie Gleisner