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Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels
Presented by:
The
Production Company
Venue:
State Theatre, the
Arts Centre
Reviewer:
Simon Parris
Date Reviewed:
30th September,
2009
The Production Company gambles and
Melbourne is the lucky winner. For only the second time in 11 years,
TPC has presented an Australian premiere, and what an inspired
choice it is. Belonging to the category of shows that are successful
but not big enough for fully staged Australian seasons, 2005’s Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels is a laugh-a-minute riot that is every bit as
hilarious as the 1988 film.
Scoundrels Lawrence Jameson (Bille
Brown) and Freddy Benson (Matt Hetherington) compete to see who is
the most dirty and rotten. Early conquest Jolene Oakes (Chelsea
Plumley) is dispatched back to Oklahoma and the men set their sights
on American soap queen Christine Colgate (Amy Lehpamer). Lawrence’s
right hand man, chief of police Andre Thibault (Grant Piro), is
distracted by wealthy vacationer Muriel Eubanks (Marina Prior).
 Skilful
direction from the masterful hand of Rodger Hodgman has guaranteed
that the plentiful jokes, sight gags and physical comedy are fully
realised. Losing two of the advertised lead actors could have
derailed a lesser project, but the six principal characters are
perfectly cast. The show flows along in cinematic style, suiting
TPC’s traditional open stage setting perfectly.
Music Director John Foreman makes a
welcome return and ensures that Orchestra Victoria presents the
colour and richness of the score in thrilling clarity. Having the MD
and musicians in white dinner jackets adds to the San Tropez feel of
Shaun Gurton’s tropical set of balconies, blue skies and mobile palm
trees. Choreography by Dana Jolly is brief but stylish and often
spectacular.
Jeffrey Lane’s book is truly funny,
following the madcap premise of the movie and adding plenty of
clever one-liners. The instantly accessible songs of David Yazbeck
(The Full Monty) cover a range of styles and also include many
humorous lyrics. Unfortunately on opening night it was difficult to
hear many of the lyrics clearly for most of the first act. Excessive
underscoring also interfered with hearing a good portion of the
dialogue clearly. The muddy opening number did not help matters but
the story at least is quite familiar and the show soon zipped along
to the audience’s delight.
Brown is all class, completely
believable as the charming, highly polished con man. Hetherington
gives a tour de force performance, clearly relishing the crazy
antics involved. His characterisation of Ruprecht was an absolute
highlight, with his miraculous recovery during ‘Love is my Legs’ a
close second. It is a crime that more theatregoers cannot see this
performance in an extended season.
Prior is unfailingly divine, also
enjoying the chance to play some very broad tongue-in-cheek comedy.
Piro complements her beautifully and their romance is sweet but far
from saccharine. Plumley is a hoot as sassy, spoilt Jolene, making
the brief but significant role delightfully memorable.
The most exciting discovery of the
night is Lehpamer. With a sensational voice that truly filled the
State Theatre, Lehpamer made a massive impact with her acting
singing and dancing (she is also a brilliant violinist!) and will
surely be seen in further lead roles. Kudos must also go to Hodgman
for the having the wisdom to elevate Lehpamer in the cast when the
role of Christine became available. What a masterstroke.
Brilliantly talented as she was in the
role, Lehpamer was let down by a hideous wig and completely
unflattering costumes. Costume and hair for the ensemble were below
standard overall. Wigs on the female ensemble in act one were
inexplicable candy shades of pink, lavender and green. Dresses on
socialites in the French Riviera should be more than draped fabric
tacked on to a bodice.
Readers of Theatre People will be
aware of the Victorian Music Theatre Guild Awards won by
Hetherington and Geelong’s Lehpamer. Making an exciting debut was
sensational dancer Mitch Fistrovic. Other familiar faces in the
ensemble included Elizabeth O’Hanlon and Andrew Broadbent.
Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels plays until Sunday 4th October. Comedy fans
should take advantage of the rare chance to see a professional
staging of this hilarious show. Bookings are through Ticketmaster
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
Simon has appeared in about 40 productions over the past thirty
years. Recent roles include Uncle Henry/Guard of the Gate in The
Wizard of Oz (Catchment) and Eugene Fodor in Crazy for You
(Whitehorse). Other favourite roles include Mr Fox in Mack and
Mabel, Max in The Sound of Music, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Julio in
Paint Your Wagon, Marcellus in The Music Man and Grantaire in Les
Miserables.
Simon has directed several school productions. He choreographed
Urinetown and Little Shop of Horrors for St Michael’s Grammar School
and directed Hot Mikado, which was staged at the Athenaeum Theatre
in May. Simon served on the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria
Committee for over six years, and was Treasurer for five years. He
is also a keen audience member, having seen over 50 shows in five
weeks on a recent trip to New York and London.
Simon is currently in rehearsals for Williamstown Musical Theatre
Company’s
November production of Assassins.
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