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Spread a Little Joy
Presented By: Natasha Basset and
Lizzie Matjacic
Venue: Chapel off Chapel
Reviewer: Melissa Trickey - Theatre
People Editor
Date Reviewed: 24th September 2009
With a title like "Spread a Little
Joy" it is hard to imagine that the audience weren't going to have a
good time, and that's exactly what we got at Chapel of Chapel. It
was a Cabaret which wasn't about anything in particular except for
the joy of music, something all readers can appreciate I'm sure! It
was like the Cabaret equivalent of hanging out and chatting, however
people just happened to break into song all the time and the "chat"
was rehearsed. Although I thought the style of the show could have
been more cohesive, on the whole I found it an enjoyable format.
Some songs, some stories, some laughs, some honesty, and bam a
Cabaret is born! My main criticism would be there were too many
songs, and sometimes the songs didn't really stand alone and have a
clear meaning, because there were just such a bulk of material. It
was a Cabaret that was almost the length of a full show. But, in
Cabaret anything goes, and the audience were certainly responsive.
The lighting and sound were quite
minimal, but appropriate and adequate for performance. The two
ladies used hand mics with stands when required. it did look a
little awkward at times, but with the amount of songs (24!!!!!) the
microphones were necessary for preservation of those precious vocal
folds!!! Greg Smith as the accompanist did a sensational job. My his
hands must have been tired by the end of the night! He was
absolutely appropriate, with the right amount of helping and leading
to support the ladies perfectly. The blocking was relaxed and flowed
well, it seemed to come from the heart. The minimal chorey there was
(I'm guessing thanks to Lyndall Watson as she was thanked in the
program, correct me if I'm wrong!) was executed very well,
especially considering the pair are self confessed non-dancers. As a
choreographer though, I would say they are both excellent "movers"!
I saw Lizzie and Natasha last year in
Stella Entertainment's "Is There Life After High School". Previously
I had been a fan of both our leading ladies in their work, but
seeing them together in that show singing the duet "Fran and Janie",
I knew they would work well together in this piece. Indeed, I'm glad
the decision was made to include that song in this piece, as it was
certainly one of the highlights. Lizzie and Natasha are very evenly
matched as performers. I think that Natasha Basset, who takes most
of the credit for devising the show, knows that, and knows how to
play to their collect strengths. The woman's got some serious smarts
when it comes to this sort of thing! The both have strong belting
voices with big ranges. The swapped harmonies with incredible ease
and the amount of lyrics they would have had to memorise would be
UNBELIEVABLE. They are both hard working performers, and the work
the material very well. Highlights include the previously mentioned
"Fran and Janie" "Children Will Listen/Christmas Lullaby" medley (by
a pregnant Lizzie!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!) "There's A Boat that's Leaving
Soon" "I Could Always Go to You" (Hil-AR-ious) I'm Gonna Be Strong
(I think Natasha's speciality is the
"stand-still-and-belt-a-sad-song" she get's me every time!!!) Diva
(I want the sheet music), I Miss the Mountains, and Pure Imagination
(Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, AWESOME!)
But my final point. What
this presentation really drove home to me was: you CAN NOT REPLACE
performance maturity. You can't!!! Here's a story to illustrate my
point, and bare with me because it does have a point. I am a big Sex
and City fan, and in this instance I am reminded of a particular
episode. There's one where our main four girls, in their 30's, seem
to all be threatened by 20 year olds. Then, just when the
30's ladies seem to be really feeling crap about themselves, the
20's all loose the plot and they all fall apart, WAAAAAAAAAAY worse
than our 30 year old hero's ever imagined they were falling apart.
As a 20 year old watching this Cabaret presented by 30 year old's, I
must say that I don't think anyone my age could have handled and
sustained a performance like that. It doesn't matter how much raw
talent you have. I wouldn't care if some young girl could sing like
Patti or Ethel or Idina, and act themselves out of a high security
prison when they murdered the Queen.... That don't mean a thing when
the pressure's on. You need mental, physical and vocal stamina by
the truck load. You need to be able to think on your feet when
things don't go quiet to plan. That only comes with experience. And
looking at two bios longer than I could dream about right now, it is
obvious that Lizzie and Natasha are two performers who know how to
play to their strengths. So I hope that no-one has taken offense
from my little anecdote, because it is intended in the highest
praise. These two woman are the performers that I hope to be in
time: hard working, unassuming and poignant.
Well done on a fun and enjoyable
presentation, and I look forward to what's to come from these two!
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