MUSICAL THEATRE
Adapted from Virginia Woolf's novel, Orlando
Music and Lyrics by Rachel Lewindon Book, Lyrics by Willow Sizer
By Antipodes Theatre
At 45downstairs until 11 Nov 2023
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ***
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 11 Nov 2023. KH
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| Orlando - Angel Leggas, 3 Fates Media |
Virginia Woolf’s novel, Orlando, has inspired many stage adaptations and a film starring Tilda Swinton. This production by Antipodes Theatre is a small-scale musical that highlights contemporary transgender issues through Woolf’s story of Orlando’s transformation into a woman, after starting his life as a pretty, noble and promiscuous youth in Elizabethan England.
Five young actors (Marty Alix, Louie Dalzell, Manali Datar, Willow Sizer, Kikki Temple) play Orlando, both man and woman, sometimes individually, and sometimes as a group or chorus. The narrative evolves through layered dialogue, excerpts of Woolf’s text, and in the lyrics of the eclectic repertoire of songs (Music by Rachel Lewindon, lyrics by Lewindon &Willow Sizer).
On a set design (Bethany J Fellows) that has a centrepiece representing a pebbled stream, directors, Margot Fenley and Maude Davey, with movement director, Belle Hansen, and the cast, create an abstract, movement- and text-based performance. It is underscored by live music (Musicians, Lewindon, Imogen Cygler) and peppered with songs, with the most successful musical moments being the five-part harmonies.
The difficulty with adapting a novel for stage is that there is an inclination to include tracts of the original prose and to cram all the narrative threads into the performance. Such is the problem with this Orlando. Too many words, too many narrative threads leading to a lack of clarity in the delivery of Orlando’s story.
There is also an unevenness in the performance and vocal skills of the cast. Some have rich tone and fine vocal technique, but there is some awkwardness in the acting and a lack of nuance and finesse which limits the characterisations.
Unfortunately, the important issues of gender and identity are often overstated and didactic. The script could trust the audience to understand the intention without resorting to what sounds like preaching.
This production certainly has some interesting musical elements and physicalisation, but has not created the definitive, dramatised version of Woolf’s Orlando.
by Kate Herbert
CAST
Marty Alix (they/he), Louie Dalzell (he/him), Manali Datar (she/her), Willow Sizer (they/them), and Kikki Temple (she/goddess)
MUSICIANS
Rachel Lewindon (she/her) and Imogen Cygler (she/her)
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Margot Fenley (she/her)
Dramaturge/Director: Maude Davey (she/her)
Movement Director: Belle Hansen (she/her)
Set & Costume Designer: Bethany J Fellows
Sound Designer: Evan Drill (he/him)
Lighting Designer: John Collopy (he/him)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Casting & Cultural Consultant: Kuda Mapeza (she/they)
Cultural
Consultant: Chels Morgan (they/xe)
Stage Manager: Ashleigh Walwyn (she/her)
Publicist: Cameron Lukey (he/him)
Social Media Manager: Chloe Towan (she/her)
Sound
|Operator: Rami Blowes
Artistic Director/ Produciton manager: Brandon Pape
New Work Manager/Producer: Cameron Steens (they/them)
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| Orlando - Angel Leggas, 3 Fates Media |
Marty Alix (they/he), Louie Dalzell (he/him), Manali Datar (she/her), Willow Sizer (they/them), and Kikki Temple (she/goddess)
by Kate Herbert
CAST
Marty Alix (they/he), Louie Dalzell (he/him), Manali Datar (she/her), Willow Sizer (they/them), and Kikki Temple (she/goddess)
MUSICIANS
Rachel Lewindon (she/her) and Imogen Cygler (she/her)
CREATIVE TEAM
Director:
Margot Fenley (she/her) Dramaturge/Director: Maude Davey (she/her) Movement
Director: Belle Hansen (she/her) Set & Costume Designer: Bethany J Fellows
Sound Designer: Evan Drill (he/him)
Lighting Designer: John Collopy (he/him)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Casting
& Cultural Consultant: Kuda Mapeza (she/they) Cultural Consultant: Chels
Morgan (they/xe)
Stage Manager: Ashleigh Walwyn (she/her)
Publicist: Cameron Lukey (he/him)
Social Media Manager: Chloe Towan (she/her)
Sound
|Operator: Rami Blowes
Artistic Director/ Produciton manager: Brandon Pape
New Work Manager/Producer: Cameron Steens (they/them)
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