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THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK!
Presented by: Players Theatre Company
Venue: Watson Theatre – Forest Hill College
Reviewer: Anne Dewar
Date Reviewed: Friday 2nd October 8pm
‘The
Witches of Eastwick’ is a vibrant, witty and provocative musical!
A
clever adaptation of the John Updike novel and 1987 film of the same
title which starred Jack Nicholson, Witches is set in a morally
uptight, gossipy New England township where three interesting but
bored and frustrated women, Alexandra, Sukie and Jane are charmed by
Darryl Van Horne, the man they conjure up and an incarnation of the
Devil who arrives in town and causes chaos much to the dislike of
the town matriarch Felicia Gabriel.
Director Julia Roper has put together a production that is well cast
with totally believable characterizations and spot on American
accents from just about everyone who said a line. It’s very
impressive the way she kept the suggestive content of the show to a
tasteful level. Julia’s direction was interesting and innovative.
The
Orchestra led by MD Vicki Barden was very tight, sounded lovely and
complemented the performers perfectly. Vocals and harmonies were
exceptional and Vicki has obviously put a lot of work into getting
them that way and it showed.
Choreography by Miranda Brooks was creative and she kept the dance
steps within the abilities of the cast. She showed great balance and
pattern in her chory, I really liked it.
Leah
Anderson (Alexandra), Candice Sweetman (Jane) and Jessica May (Sukie)
playing the trio of women unaware of their powers, were a force to
be reckoned with. All have terrific voices and the chemistry between
them produced something very special. They were just charming and
the girl’s strong vocal harmonies in ‘Look at Me’ were simply
amazing to listen to. Also the transformation of their characters to
scarlet robed sexy sirens as Darryl influences them was well
portrayed by all of them. Leah was convincing as the confident 30
something Alexandra and her scenes with Darryl were very funny. I
particularly liked Jessica’s song ‘Words, Words, Words’ she had
great comic timing and her vocals were delightfully strong! I also
loved the scene with Jane and Darryl’s cello/violin duet which ends
in the Violin playing by itself although I am not sure everybody
quite got that it was playing by itself as it wasn’t overly obvious
but I think Candice’s comedy acting was brilliant in this scene.
Jonathan Guthrie-Jones gave us a treat as the cool and seductive,
evil Darryl Van Horne, he was just intriguing to watch. In this role
Jonathan got a chance to not only show us his great character acting
skills but also his wonderful singing voice and dancing ability.
Personally I would like to have seen even a bit more of the
repulsive side of Darryl though…..a bit more of Darryl’s Demon male
sexuality…more of the spine shivering, chilling evil side of the
character coming through. I felt the focus was more on the comic,
playful side of the role and perhaps taking a little step over the
line to the darker side of Darryl in certain appropriate scenes
would have added even another dimension to Jonathan’s wonderful
characterization.
Playing the town rich bitch Felicia Gabriel, Felicity Elizabeth
Eastwood was hilarious! Felicity’s comedic timing and powerful voice
made for an outstanding performance supported by Jenter Zilm as her
unhappy husband Clyde they were very funny and provided the audience
with some memorable moments.
Alexandra’s son Michael (Ryan Purdy) and Felicia’s daughter Jennifer
(Eleanor Horsburgh) were the town’s young couple sickeningly in
love. Both gave great characterizations with Ryan’s slightly nerdy
Michael and Eleanor’s sweet Apple pie girl next door Jennifer.
Eleanor has a gorgeous voice and it’s one of the clearest, purest
voices I have ever heard. Just Beautiful!
Kelly-Anne Kimber as the Little Girl oozed the right amount of
cuteness and someone who almost stole the show for me without
uttering hardly one line was Daniel Smith as Fidel, Darryl’s
manservant. Daniel was just sensational, what a brilliant actor and
his facial expressions were gold! He was clearly an audience
favourite.
Everyone in the ensemble was a named somebody with some standout
performances from Noni Garratt (Greta), Jo Buckingham (Branda) and
Katherine White (Gina). It was great to see children in the show to
make up the families of Eastwick although I felt they were out of
place in a couple of the more adult ensemble numbers. Most of the
ensemble cast were confident movers but there were a few that looked
like they were floundering a little…not sure if they were unsure of
the steps or just a case of first night nerves? The cast was
suitably and colourfully costumed and co-ordinated by designer Tania
Lea Harrowell with some of Darryl’s outfits superb. Hairstyles were
on the whole good but could have been even more exaggerated to
portray that American, not a hair out of place almost Stepford wife
small town look.
The
set was designed by Mario Mohorko & Garry Barcham to fit the Watson
and the minimalistic interchanging pieces worked well. The house
facades created the small town feel although I would have liked to
have seen a bit of white picket fence somewhere especially in the
‘Dirty Laundry’ number and perhaps it would have distracted from the
main fixed arch piece which was the interior of Darryl’s house but
stayed onstage the whole time and sometimes looked out of place in
the exterior scenes, however the artwork on the set was really well
done and looked quite effective.
Lighting by Jason Bovaird was without question sensational! He is
extremely talented. However I felt that too much smoke and haze
detracted from some scenes that to me should have been clean, crisp,
lighting to give that wholesome small American town atmosphere to
the extent that I couldn’t see some of the cast on the back rostrum.
Not every scene needs to look like a nightclub in my opinion but it
seems to be the trend now. Also the two large moving lights set in
full central view onstage in front of the rostrum were unfortunately
at times distracting. I understand why they were there and that the
effects achieved by them being there were great and worth it but
they did pull focus on what else was happening onstage at times. The
scene where the three girls fly was absolutely amazing, the way it
was lit was so effective and visually a highlight of the show.
Sound
designed by Lachlan Campbell was clear and the levels well balanced.
Good job! I think a few more sound effects like when Clyde hits
Felicia on the head with the frying pan would have added to an
already great show.
Congratulations to Julia, Vicki, Miranda and Players Theatre Company
on a wonderful production. It’s a pity that there wasn’t a full
house to appreciate such a darn good opening night performance. It
is such a good show you will be delighted as you lose yourself in
the goings on in Eastwick so support Players and book your tickets
now!
‘Witches Of Eastwick’ runs from 2nd-10th Oct at the Watson Theatre
– Forest Hill College.
Ticket Prices:
Adult – $30
Concession/Child <15/Group of 10+ - $25
** DON'T FORGET OUR MIDWEEK SPECIAL **
WEDNESDAY 7th OCTOBER - ALL TICKETS $20
BOOKING LINE -
9847 5501
Anne Dewar is well known in Musical Theatre circles and has over 30
years experience in
both professional and non – professional Theatre, Pantomime and
Television appearing in commercials and mini series and on Rove Live
in Comedy Sketches. Anne has played many roles in Musical Theatre.
Her favourites include Dolly Levi in ‘Hello Dolly’ and Miss Adelaide
in ‘Guys and Doll’ receiving a Music Theatre Guild nomination for
best actress and also received a Lyrebird Nomination for her role of
Vicki Nichols in ‘The Full Monty’.
Anne has worked with many theatre groups including Nova, Whitehorse,
CLOC, Dandenong, Festival Theatre, Phoenix and Eastern Musical
Theatre. She has also designed sets for many shows and directed and
choreographed productions, the latest was Directing SPAMALOT for
SLAMS and the Australasian Premiere of the comedy play ‘M*A*S*H’
last year for Phoenix. She is currently looking forward to playing
Bloody Mary in Nova’s Oct/Nov production of ‘South Pacific.’
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