MUSICAL THEATRE
Written & directed by Robyn Archer
Presented by
Arts
Centre Melbourne & Smartartists Productions Written & directed by Robyn Archer
Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, until March 3, 2018
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****1/2
Review also published in print in Herald Sun Arts on Fri March 2, 2018. (Poss online later.) KH
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| Cameron Goodall, photo by Claudio Raschella |
Cameron Goodall's
performance in The Sound of Falling Stars is both remarkable and alarming as he
portrays 31 popular, male singers of the 20th century, all of whom died young.
The honour roll of deceased
talent includes Elvis, Hank Williams, Sam Cooke, Jim Morrison, Otis Redding and
John Lennon, while the list of hits includes Are You Lonesome Tonight, Try A
Little Tenderness, La Bamba, and Light My Fire.
On a large stage and supported
by two accomplished, charming musician-singers (George Butrumlis, accordion; Enio
Pozzebon, keyboard), the vocally versatile and chameleon-like Goodall opens the
show as bolshy Cockney, Sid Vicious, then inhabits the spirit, vocal style and
character of this parade of phenomenally talented artists.
Some of these singers died
in plane or car crashes, others of drug or alcohol abuse, some of natural
causes and others suicided.
All this may sound
maudlin, but Robyn Archer's cunningly written script balances witty repartee
with poignant revelations and sound bites from the singers’ diverse repertoires.
Goodall bleeds from one
character to another with a shift of accent, posture and vocal quality, the
addition of a shirt or jacket, a flick of his hair, a smile or a crafty sneer.
Highlights include his
sassy Sam Cooke medley, Jim Morrison's smouldering presence and distinctive
vocal style, Jeff Buckley's vulnerability and Bon Scott's audacious performance
of Highway to Hell.
Goodall teases us with a
false ending – Sid Vicious singing My Way – then closes with Kurt Cobain's
angry presence, distinctive personality and voice singing Nirvana’s anthem, Smells
Like Teen Spirit.
Goodall's performance is
passionate, effortless and masterly in its characterisation and vocal
versatility, and The Sound of Falling Stars is a memorable tribute to these
exceptional and tragic singers.
By Kate Herbert
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| -Cameron Goodall, photo by Claudio Raschella |
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