The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)
THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS (THE MUSICAL!) Triptych Theatre at the Parade Space, Parade Theatres, Kensington; 6–29 May, 2010; Bookings: 1300 795 012 or Sydney Comedy Festival
LAUGHTER is the best medicine, according to Reader’s Digest, so it must be true. And if you’re feeling even slightly crook then you really have to get yourself along to the Parade Theatres for a dose of great medicine. Although be aware that it’s likely you’ll laugh so much you might snap a rib, accidentally kick another patron in the back of the neck or, at the very least, leave with that kind of aching face that comes from chortling non-stop for about two hours. And all through the guts and effort of yet another new independent company: Triptych aka Avigail Herman and Jane Miskovic.
The Musical of etc etc is an absolute gift for musical theatre fans. The more you know about Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kander & Ebb, Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman, the more you’ll get from the show because it’s simultaneously supremely silly and dazzlingly clever.
The best satire works because it takes its victims very seriously; consequently The MusicaloMtM is deliriously satirical and accurate because its creators know the genre and the composers inside out. That also means you gain insights into the quirks, habits and foibles of each as they are mercilessly lampooned and exposed in all their glory and shortcomings.
It’s done by telling the same story five times over in the style of each. Basically the story is that ingénue June ( Belinda Wollaston) is threatened with eviction by her wicked landlord Jitter (Warwick Allsop); her friend Abby (Avigail Herman) is on hand to offer advice on how to handle the situation and also June’s reluctant fiancé Willy (Andrew Bevis).
Rodgers & Hammerstein tell the story as Corn! - which is high as an elephant’s eye etc etc with purty accents and boot scootin’ to match. Aspects of Juanita is the Lloyd Webber version with a white masked man, a chandelier and dizzying elements of Eva Peron. Dear Abby! is closely related to Aunty Mame and Dolly Levi via Jerry Herman with tableaux and upstaged divas au go go. At the other end of the dramatic and light spectrum, A Little Complex revels in every neurotic twitch and minor key Sondheim has ever written into a show. And finally, although not in any particular order, June with a J rather than Liza with a zee fails to pay her rent in either Cabaret or Chicago despite Kander & Ebb.
To be honest, if you’re not a musical theatre fan and have no interest in doing Musical Theatre 101 with Extra Laughter, then don’t bother. But if you’ve ever been delighted or delightedly appalled by any of the above – you’ll adore this. The hard-working and fine piano accompanist, Mark Chamberlain wrenches every note and nuance from the glorious array pinches and pastiches (Eric Rockwell) and the lyrics (Joanne Bogart) range from merely hilarious to downright brilliant.
Directed by Herman and Jane Miskovic, the cast of four singer-dancer-actors are absolute dynamite with each taking a turn to shine. This is a show that should be available on Medicare. Or contact your health fund.
Photos by Jane Miskovic
