CURTAINS - The Musical ... A Delightful Surprise in More Ways Than One!
The cast list was the first thing that caught my eye - an excellent line up with some of the cream from Aussie theatre joining forces for this short season at the State Theatre in the Arts Centre, Melbourne: Simon Gleeson, Melissa Langton, Colin Lane, Lucy Maunder, Alex Rathgeber, Alinta Chidzey, Zoe Coppinger, Jared Bryan, Stephen Wheat, Simon Maiden, Nicki Wendt, Tony Rickards and John Wood. Second in line was the synopsis, which had me intrigued right from the start: a musical comedy about a Broadway musical. What more could a musical theatre lover want? Well, for this fan from way back, just add the talent of Lucy Maunder into the mix and you have the whole gamut of a theatrical banquet table...
With only two short weeks for rehearsals, the first show was a 'standing and applauding' credit to everyone involved and definitely a feast for the senses. Featuring comedy, drama, a murder - or three, a great score, clever lyrics, magnificent costumes and so much more, Curtains definitely tickles your funny bone and has you wondering 'just who is this illusive heralder of death?' While watching a film clip of patrons' comments accompany a website review two days later, it was obvious none of them had a clue and it was only because of a long-standing connection to the real perpetrator that I was able to guess and then only by picking up a clever swap of identities. Without recognising this old family friend, I never would have guessed. Clever scripting and great acting on the part of every cast member ensured the secret stayed safe.
The storyline was cleverly based around a new musical opening on the bright lights of Broadway and starred every director's nightmare - a worse than awful leading lady with no musical talent whatsoever. Thank goodness for everyone concerned she gets knocked off just after the first show - and within the first few minutes of this witty spoof - except that brings forth another dilemma ... who is good enough to take her place and turn the critics' shocking reviews around? Their choice was my personal favourite and she did a rip roaring job with every line, number and gesture.
Simon Reeves shows brilliant comedic timing, along with the perfect facial expressions delivered with every line he utters as the super sleuth detective assigned to the job. As well as tackling this suspenseful whodunit, his character willingly offers his services to spruce up the show in several numbers from his former days as an amateur musical theatre performer. And it works - very well!
The costuming is beautifully done and showcases everyone's role brilliantly for each individual scene. The standout has to be the showgirl routine, especially with Lucy Maunder in the diva role of this talented chorus-line. For several riveting minutes, she and her mates enliven the stage as their skirts fly high, and most especially when Lucy shows off those great pins kicking them high in the air while hiding a little secret beneath the corset's tight bones. But I'm not giving it away here just in case revealing this little treasure may spoil the storyline. Wink wink!
Well worth the ticket price and sure to have patrons laughing out loud as they try to guess whodunit, Curtains is a fabulous few hours of entertainment and toe-tapping fun. Even the show's musical director has a speaking part - as a Russian no less with a name I'm quite partial to. Even though this is a most unusual occurrence for a 'normal' musical, the scriptwriter creates a fitting addition as the story floats from this production to the one being enacted on that fictitious Broadway stage.
And funnily enough I had the pleasure of running into John Wood from the cast while he was enjoying a cup of coffee in Healesville two days later and was able to offer my sincere congratulations. He was tickled pink to learn someone wandering around that delightful country town had been in the first audience over in 'The Big Smoke' 50 or so kms away.
Better get in fast for the final three shows as it finishes tomorrow!
