Presented by The Hills Musical Company
Reviewed Saturday 27th April 2012
The true stars of Terrance McNally, John Kander and Fred Ebb's multi-award winning musical are director, Max Rayner, and Ole Wiebkin for his gritty, functional sets of a Latin-American prison.
Despite the show's accolades overseas, there are no memorable tunes and most of the songs fail to impress or move the plot along, but that is far from a reflection of this stellar production and the exceptional cast that tell the tale of two incarcerated men who do what they must to survive.
Hew Wagner is Molina, a gay window dresser imprisoned for indecency who spends his time reliving the movies of screen actress Aurora. He adores all of her films bar one, where she played a Spider Woman with a kiss of death. Wagner creates a pitiful yet likeable figure, nicely balancing the fear, bravery and campness of his character.
As his cell mate, Valentin, Eden Plaisted puts in a solid performance as the revolutionary forced to endure the torture of both Molina's stories and prison guard brutality.
Their struggles are interspersed with memory scenes of Aurora in her various film roles and, in particular, as the Spider Woman waiting to claim her next victim. Melanie Smith's years as a professional dancer and singer shine in this role, in one of the best amateur stage performances of the year so far.
The ensemble cast and secondary leads are all good, with Ben Saunders's musical direction and 12-member band all notable. Linda Lawson's great choreography (with director Rayner) works the small stage comfortably and occasionally incorporates set pieces for added effect. Even costumes by Anne Williams and Angela Andre are worthy of mention.
While the play itself may not grab everyone, the production quality most certainly will.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis, Performing Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.
Venue: Stirling Community Theatre, Avenue Road, Stirling
Season: 27 April – 12 May
Tickets: $18.00 – $25.00
Bookings: Matilda Bookshop, 8 Mt Barker Rd, Stirling ph 8339 3931 or BASS (booking fee may apply)
More News
