MUSICAL THEATRE
Book adapted by Carolyn Burns from
a novel by Madeleine St John, music and lyrics by Tim Finn
Produced by
Queensland Theatre
Regent
Theatre, until March 18, 2017
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: 3& 1/2
Review also published in Herald Sun Arts online on Wed March 1, 2017, then in print. KH.
Cast of Ladies in Black
The cocktail frock section of a 1950s, Sydney department store sounds an
unlikely place for a coming-of-age story but, surrounded by taffeta, silk and a
diverse group of women, hopeful ingénue, Lisa (Sarah Morrison), learns to be a woman.
Ladies in Black may not be the new, Australian musical that sets the
world on fire, but it charms the audience with its simple, engaging stories of the
saleswomen who work in F.G. Goodes – a store that resembles Myer and Georges –
in 1959, just before the conservative 50s become the unconventional 60s.
Writer, Carolyn
Burns, skilfully transforms prose into
pert dialogue peppered with funny Australianisms in her adaptation of
Madeleine St John’s 1993 novel, The
Women in Black.
Director, Simon Phillips, fills the stage with
loveable characters in intimate vignettes while Andrew Hallsworth provides stage action with his vibrant choreography on Gabriela Tylesova’s elegant, black and
silver set design that is offset by a parade of vivaciously coloured frocks.
Tim
Finn’s original songs, numbering more than 20, range in style from bold, musical
theatre choruses, to sombre laments, romantic ballads, jazz- or
blues-influenced tunes and patter songs, all played by a tight, on-stage
orchestra led by David Young.
The
melodies are not memorable and some cheesy, simplistic lyrics do not always illuminate
the characters or their backstories, but a few songs stand out, including the
perky and hilarious Bastard Song, sung by a group of Aussie women, and Lisa’s
sweet, Broadway-style refrain, Tomorrow Becomes Today.
Morrison’s
voice has a bright timbre and a clear, musical theatre tone that suits the role
of Lisa as she grows from dowdy, bookworm school-leaver to a stylish, young
woman on her way to university to study her beloved literature, despite her
father’s (Greg Stone) objections.
The narrative reveals the tales of
several women, but the most compelling stories belong to the ‘reffos’, the ‘New
Australians’, starting with the sassy and chic Hungarian refugee, Magda, played
audaciously by Natalie
Gamsu, and Magda’s adoring husband,
Stefan (Stone).
But the accolades and the audience
cheers belong to Bobby Fox who, whenever he appears as Rudi, the Hungarian
Lothario, lights up the stage with his charisma, sensational vocal quality and
control and effortless dancing.
Rudi’s final proposal scene with the
vivacious and sympathetic Fay (Ellen Simpson) provides a delicious and joyful ending to that couple’s
story.
Other narrative threads include
those of the childless Patty (Madeleine Jones) and her husband, Frank (Tamlyn Henderson), the quiet
Miss Jacobs (Trisha Noble) and the efficient Miss Cartwright (Kate Cole).
There is some unevenness in the
cast’s singing ability and not all the songs or stories are as engaging as
others, but Ladies in Black is a pleasant and optimistic show that will leave
you smiling.
By Kate Herbert
Cast
Sarah Morrison- Lisa
Kate Cole-
Miss Cartwright/Joy
Carita Farrer Spencer - Mrs Miles.
Bobby Fox,
Rudi /Lloyd /Fred
Natalie Gamsu – Magda
Madeleine Jones - Patty
Kathryn McIntyre – Myra /Dawn
Trisha Noble
– Miss Jacobs/Mrs Brown
Ellen Simpson - Fay
Greg
Stone – Mr Miles /Stefan
Tamlyn
Henderson- Frank
Gabriela
Tylesova Design
David
Walters Lighting
Guy
Simpson Orchestrations
Andrew
Hallsworth choreography
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