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Dutch Courage Makes Theatre Work At Theatreworks |
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The Melbourne Season of DUTCH COURAGE (The Staged Reading) was one of those experiences you are so glad you didn’t miss.
Rehearsed in an office annexe in Caulfield, the Australian musical came together magnificently in just 2 days rehearsal with this superb cast and team. Presented by MAGNORMOS, the 3 nights played to 75-80% houses. Not bad for a staged reading.
There’s not much one can say about the Melbourne season of DUTCH COURAGE that does not come in superlatives. This makes it all the sadder that the writers could not be there to see it.
Associate Director and Choreographer, Velalien (who also worked the Sydney reading), had a wonderful chance to really strut her stuff. The cast pounced on her chory and everyone was really proud to bring that extra element of choreographic story-telling to an already-rich story. She’s a marvel. (It’s not a well-kept secret that she and the producer, Aaron Joyner, had way too much fun in the bio box while the shows were running).
Musical Director, Hayley Johnson, did a crash course in DC in about 2 and a half weeks! She took all the singers through their paces with so much calm and intelligence. Always a ‘find a way’ person, she gently got the best out of her cast and wasn’t afraid to let them know how astounding they were. And they were. Sean Peter’s work was delivered superbly.
The great news is that Hayley is going to MD the show in New York! I’m sure that all the parties involved with the Melbourne production would join in sending her the hugest of CHOOKAS!
Young Melbourne-based uber-actor, Trevor Vaughan, took on the multiple roles of THE GERMAN OFFICER, THE JEWISH MAN and THE BRITISH CONSUL. Trevor’s powerful command of text and accents was on ‘full monty’ in DUTCH COURAGE. He lost count of the number of times he was asked, “Where were you trained?”(Answer: Central Queensland University!) He was also asked over and over again - “Do you do voice-over work? You should!”. He’s pretty remarkable.
Luke Stephens played KURT. This is a young man whose brief career has had him performing in both Australia and the States. In musicals: the original seasons of SHOUT!, MAMMA MIA!, EUREKA and SIDESHOW ALLEY. Luke brought such a credible vulnerability to this role – it’s one of his gifts.
Opposite him was, Sean Gunn, reprising the role of JOPIE from his performance in that role in 2004. Sean’s exuberance, but masculinity when needed, was, and remains, perfect for this role. The final duet, KILL ME, between he and Luke Stephens had the handbags opening for tissues. (Yes – you could hear them).
VCA Music Theatre graduate, Ben Clark, handled one of the roles in DUTCH COURAGE that is actually based in fact: Willem. In his review of DUTCH COURAGE, PJ Buchanan from JOY 94.9 actually said - "FINAL BOW brought the whole house to tears". It’s safe to say that Ben’s performance left the on stage cast in much the same condition.
Director, Will Conyers, took a brave decision to cast a 14 year old with a playing age of 17+ for the role of JAN, a role that is also based in fact. Thomas Lacey astounds. This young man will be a star. He sings like a dream, dances like a storm and gets the text way more than a young man of his age. EVERY audience member talked about Thomas Lacey. (The cast did too, as a matter of fact).
Will watched Josh Piterman go through the Arts Academy in Ballarat with quiet interest. But something happened in his final year that made Will KNOW that this man was going to be ‘on the block’ for a good while. Recently cast as one of the ‘10 Tenors’, Josh ate up the role of ROST. Conyers said, “When I think of Sean Peter writing that amazing ‘Getcha/Only Fools’ reprise is such a short amount of time, I only hear ‘All my life I have been – out on the outside’ and the utter Judas-like wretchedness that Josh brought to that moment.” That young man is on his way.
Lyall Brooks and JAKOB. JAKOB and Lyall Brooks. They’re sort of the same thing now. This was the 3rd time Lyall has played the role and once again he seamlessly moved between, documentary-style narrative and the moving dialogue within the scenes. It’s hard to find that in an actor. Lyall we love you.
Once again using the words of PJ Buchanan from JOY 94.9: "Will Conyers ...he was incredibly powerful as 'Greta'... amazing characterisations, in both singing and acting... a stellar performance."
And now the show goes to WINGS THEATRE in NY! As this piece of Australian Musical Theatre enters a small but elite alumni of others who have done the same, we send it a huge CHOOKAS! |
