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A FISH OUT OF WATER
Pelican
Productions
Scott
Theatre
Until 18 Jan 2009
Review by Kylie
Pedler
After two weeks of intensive workshops and rehearsals under the
guidance of an extremely talented production team, Adelaide’s
young musical theatre enthusiasts present two days of
performances. Directors Jen Frith and Kylie Green have
successfully used the ‘fish out of water’ theme to link
segments from a variety of popular contemporary musicals,
identifying the unique struggles of each character trying to fit
in within their society. Saturday’s performance by the senior
and junior ‘red team’ demonstrated a sensational array of
talent, forewarning that this group of youngsters would not be
sinking in the ocean. (The blue cast perform on Sunday).
Peta Johnston’s choreography in ‘Jellicle Cats’ (from
Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’) opens the show with polished
professionalism while Natalie Bock’s vocals as Grizabella in
‘Memory’, from the same show, captivate the audience.
Patrick Lim’s large cast numbers (‘Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang’ - from the musical of the same name - and ‘One Short
Day’, from ‘Wicked’) are energetic and slick while each
performer appears to enjoy themselves thoroughly performing
Lauren Scarfe’s choreography for ‘Hard Knock Life’
(‘Annie’) and ‘I Won’t Grow Up’ (‘Peter Pan’).
Becci Schembri’s choreography provides entertaining comic
interludes. Kieran Hanna, Amelia Holds and Caitlin Matijevic
perform Schembri’s choreography for ‘Easy Street’
(‘Annie’) with hilarious front, while the ‘Flipper boys’
provide riotous entertainment in the ‘Mama Mia’ number
‘Lay All Your Love on Me’.
All round talent is Chloe Bremner in her rendition of the
rebellious Peter Pan, mastering pitch, diction, dance and fiesty
characterization and the gorgeous Jayden Prelc (Jeremy) who wows
the audience with his enchanting stage presence in the ‘Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang’ segments.
The vocal talents of young and old under the direction of
tutors; Libby O’Donovan and Rosanne Hosking, drive each
number. Tom Russell, as young Simba and Eliza Kennewell, as
young Nala, are captivating throughout ‘The Lion King’
segment. Jessica Vogel shines in a delightful interpretation of
Glinda from ‘Wicked’ and harmonizes well with Ashleigh
Hauschild (Elphaba) who defies her age with a powerful rendition
of the show’s ‘Defying Gravity’. The live music (Kelly
Bruer, Chloe Bruer-Jones, and Felix Riley) adds a nice touch to
the harmonic duet of Jason Bensen (Frodo) and Shai Martin (Sam)
in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ number ‘Now and Always’.
However the show standout is Chloe Bruer-Jones’ unique
performance of ‘Over the rainbow’. This young lady dominates
the stage and made the piece her own, the climatic last verse
revealing she has a promising future. Tim Joy’s lighting
design provides a breathtaking backdrop to the number.
Simple effective props scatter the stage providing adequate
space for the large cast and easily adjustable scene changes for
the different acts. A few minor issues in the sound department
need ironing out but the lighting design is smooth and sleek,
providing poignant ambience throughout.
An energetic show, igniting passion and inspiring dreams.
NOW
UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAY
Pelican
Productions
Scott
Theatre
Until 20 Jan 2008
Review by Laraine
Ball
When a bunch of professional vocal tutors and choreographers
spend two weeks giving concentrated tuition to a group of
assorted young wannabees, the results are always going to be
impressive, but in this case the show is sensational.
Directors Jen Frith and Kylie Green, with material from
contemporary musicals, have obviously worked very hard and long
for the end product to become so well finished. All the items
are bright and lively, showcasing both the individual and group
talent. Whether it’s the intensity of the rehearsal period or
the calibre of the tuition - vocal tutors: Catherine Campbell,
Carolyn Ferrie and Rosanne Hosking with choreographers: Patrick
Lim, Aidan Kane Munn, Lauren Scarfe and Bec Schembri - as well
as the quality of the kids themselves, these young people hit
the stage with more energy and enthusiasm than seen in many an
adult production.
Whilst all the performers are worthy of praise, there are always
a few outstanding individuals in any show and this one is no
exception. Rebecca Plummer sings her two songs delightfully
(Phantom) and Chloe Bremner is a clear and confident Little
Orphan Annie (Annie). Josh Sanders as Ugly shows great character
expression and empathy (Honk), Brie-Anna Henwood and Ben
Nicholson are charming and appealing in their several ballet
sequences and Matthew Prime brings the house down with his
Johnny O’Keefe songs (Shout).
In the ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
sequence, Georgie Sloan as the narrator is eloquent and upbeat.
Jason Katsaras is brilliant as the Pharoah (dressed as a
pint-size Elvis with all the right moves and shakes). Emily
Morris gets the stage sizzling with her sultry version of ‘Le
Jazz Hot’ (Victor Victoria) and Whitney Boyd belts out a
powerful rendition of ‘Somebody to Love’ (We Will Rock You).
Ben Riggs struts the stage as Sebastian and from the same show
Annabel Keeves is a small girl with a huge voice as Ariel (The
Little Mermaid). Petra Szabo whips up the pace singing and
tapping to ‘Anything Goes’ and Alisa James sings up a storm
for the finale ‘Blow Gabriel Blow’.
Throughout the performance the support from the background
dancers, including two aerialists from Circe Bats (Paris Martin
and Alex Charman) is evident and also of a high standard.
Due to the sheer size of the cast, sets were mainly limited to
large props brought on as needed, supplemented by some wonderful
animated photo-graphics and film projected onto the cyc.
Costumes too were fabulous. Well done, drafting and sewing team!
The only problems seemed to be in the sound department with some
of the levels of music and mics a little uneven. However this
failed to detract significantly from the overall result.
So look out, Adelaide! The next wave of young local talent is on
its way - fast! |
