The Therry Dramatic Society. Arts Theatre. 6 Jun 2015
A single mother and child find themselves forced to share their apartment with a stranger. The woman’s vanished lover has sublet it without notice. It’s a little “precious” as one blog commented on the musical version of Neil Simon’s 1977 film The Goodbye Girl.
However “precious”, Bernadette Peters and Martin Short were nominated for Tony awards for performances as Paula and Elliot, the mother and an actor pushed into an unusual relationship beginning with fights at first sight, and developing into love.
What tends to be overlooked is the true focus of the piece which lies in the title. How can this wonderful girl break the curse of men leaving her for ‘better things’?
There is no slack in Director Pam O’Grady’s masterful shifting tableaux of epic scene to scene moments. Brian Budgen’s smartly constructed mobile set pieces and Musical Director Mark DeLaine’s orchestra ensure capacity to deliver highlight moments is fiercely maximised.
The cast have what it takes to deliver O’Grady’s grand production. Leads Fiona DeLaine (Paula McFadden), Lindsay Prodea (Elliot Garfield) and Henny Walters (Lucy McFadden) form a riveting trio as feisty ‘take no prisoners’ Mother Paula; eccentric, well-meaning actor Elliott; and smart as a button daughter Lucy.
If the premise bringing Paula and Elliot together is “precious”, the catalyst taking them to a serious relationship is brilliant in its outlandishness. The hilarious concept of Elliott playing Richard III as flamboyantly effeminate in a doomed production offers genuine emotional gravitas, not to mention fantastic opportunity for brilliant stock comic characters played by Prodea and Paul Rodda as Mark, the director.
DeLaine and Prodea own the stage with gusto in each appearance together. They work hard finding means of expressing the gentle growth of attraction between their characters - the robust score they work with tends to militate against - yet they manage to find the moments both comic and tender.
Walters holds her own with singular confidence, as Lucy. Her ability to play the middle line between Paula and Elliot is exceptional, ensuring moments Lucy actually takes control have real dramatic impact on the unfolding relationships between them.
O’Grady’s bright, sharp paced, smooth Broadway production is worth a peek.
David O’Brien
When: 4 to 13 Jun
Where: Arts Theatre
Bookings: trybooking.com or 8410 5515
