Zest Theatre Group. Victor Harbor Town Hall. 27 Jan 2017
The political future of the world might look grim and unpredictable but the musical theatre future of South Australia looks rather rosy - if you have seen the latest offering by the Zest group at Victor Harbor.
Here, under the sage influence and legendary Bunyips spirit of director/producer Terry Mountstephen, a cast of bright South Coast talent has rallied, worked and shone like the Southern Cross.
West Side Story has never been an easy show. It has a demanding musical score and some decidedly challenging dance routines. It is a big show. It needs a large cast. It needs strong vocalists. And, it needs perceptive dramatic skills since it is the tale of Romeo and Juliet retold and it taps the depths of human vulnerability.
All of this is a tall ask of a regional group so it is really rather thrilling at the end of the night to leave the beachside community town hall going “wow”.
It is not only that some terrific young talent has gathered for this production but that the old school stage disciplines of Mountstephen and her director daughter Peta Bowey along with choreographer Sally Grooby, have honed and moulded them into a thoroughly presentable production. Even the old Victor Harbor Town Hall scrubs up nicely with an evocative New York brick-background and fire escapes set plus micro scenes on privacy reveal at either side of the stage, this thanks to Graeme, yet another behind-the-scenes Mountstephen.
Out the front, carrying the weight of audience response, is a pack of young people more or less the age groups of the warring gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. They are actors of all physical types and yet, put through the ropes of the show’s choreography, they are all quite respectable dancers and fighters, some of them outstanding. The boys are particularly impressive as a chorus strength and their performance of Office Krupke quite rightly brings the house down. It’s worth the price of the ticket for this scene alone.
On opening night, the first scenes of the show were a little tense and stiff with nerves. The dancing was splendid but seemed, of all things, over-rehearsed.
But, as the action developed and the cast relaxed, the spirit of spontaneity eased in and, by the second Act, the cast was a well-oiled machine, bringing its audience to the misty eye and big swallow of the tragic denouement as sweet Tony lies dying in the arms of his loving Maria.
Somewhere, America, One Hand One Heart, Tonight, I Feel Pretty all are rewardingly performed.
Scott Murton has an easy musicals voice and manner in the role of Tony while Ashley Penny has a strong, more operatic, soprano quality as Maria. Together, they are really touching, albeit not perfect in harmonies.
Around them are some interesting young performers, Isobel Pitt particularly as a strong acting and singing talent. In the dancing department, there is a corps of fabulous dancers among them, one Jack Doherty who also plays Action. It is a pleasure to see this young man move. He has “it”. One looks forward to seeing where his talent takes him.
He is surrounded by engaging young performers, notably Byron Godwin-Knott along with Dylan Rufus, Tom Richardson, Jo Kelly plus Harrison Golledge, Brittany Allen, James Goldsmith, Ebony Threadgold, and Gracie-Jo Seckold. Then there is Emily McEvoy, Jemmah Sims, Shannen Beckett…and the surrounding cast, ensemble and specialist dancers, too many to mention.
This is amateur theatre right out of town but like its Encounter Bay geography, that important nursery of young ocean fish life; it is a significant theatrical birthplace for upcoming stage talent.
This is a terrific high-energy batch and it is a beaut version of a classic Bernstein and Sondheim Broadway hit show. With thanks to Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurens.
Samela Harris
When: 27 Jan to 5 Feb
Where: Victor Harbor Town Hall
Bookings: Swan’s Pharmacy, Victor Harbor. Phone 08 85522021
