Arts

Theatre Review: 42nd Street (Allentown Cast)

’42nd Street’ is the quintessential Broadway musical and this year’s Scotch College’s school production.

Presented by Scotch College
Reviewed 4 Aug 2016

The production team at Scotch College have chosen to go with two casts and I was lucky enough to see the Allentown cast in their first performance. Adam Goodburn (director), Anthony Hubmayer (MD) and Linda Williams (choreographer) have done a fine job. They have coaxed some very good performances from their young cast.

As always with a Scotch production the technical aspects are good. The well-designed set (Brian Bugden) moves smoothly under the control of the stage manager (Andrea Prime) and the sound (Craig Williams, Jamie Mensforth), lighting (Peter Riley) and costumes (Jackie Goldsmith) are of a high standard.

The lead in this 1933 extravaganza is the producer, Julian Marsh, played by Lachlan Williams and he handles the role with maturity and great stage presence. Playing the leading lady Dorothy Brock, about whom Julian has doubts is Emily Goldsmith and she is the ‘star’ she should be. As the new comer, Peggy Sawyer, Hannah Hamilton looks the part and is suitably mouse-like to begin with, but demonstrates all the talent she needs to win over the cast, and the audience!

A standout performance from India Goodhand playing Maggie Jones. She has a talent for comedy and was paired well with Harry Fielder as her co-writer Bert Barry. As Marsh’s leading man, Billy Lawlor, Jordan Tomljenovic displays his dance prowess; his fast footwork is impressive. But the cast is full of good dancers, Eliza Kennewell (playing Anytime Annie), Issy Darwent, Isabella Mennillo, Onor Nottle, Laura Williams, Harmony Gordon; not to mention Lewis Shilvock (Andy Lee) and Ris Mosel (Mac).

Ned Baulderstone handled the difficult role of the Sugar Daddy, Abner Dillon well and Ben Francis was exactly right as Miss Brock’s love interest Pat Denning. The whole chorus works well together and the choreography gave them a chance to show how hard they have worked.

I am sure the Philadelphia cast will be just as impressive and that Scotch have another musical hit on their hands.

Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds

Venue: Scotch College
Season: 4 – 13 Aug 2016
Duration: 2hr 30mins
Tickets: Adult $30, Conc $15
Bookings: www.scotch.sa.edu/42ndstreet

Watch for Brian Godfrey’s review of the Philadelphia cast of ’42nd Street’

 

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