Theatre Review
Eleanor Pearson 8 December 2017 Is the Theatre Really Dead...?There was a buzz through Hunters Hill Town Hall before the curtain rose at Saturday’s matinee of Moon Over Buffalo. When it did, it was evident Hunters Hill Theatre (HHT) had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this Broadway farce to life.
Production values were high, and the actors were in fine form. There seemed to be a slight hitch with the lighting initially, but the bravado of the leads, and supporting cast pulled it off. We were introduced to the character of Cyrano De Bergerac at the outset; it was a motif that would run (often literally) throughout. Just to put readers unfamiliar with the plotline in the picture: Hunters Hill Theatre's latest show, Moon Over Buffalo, is set in the American city of Buffalo (upstate New York), during the 1950s, the time of the advent of television. It follows the misadventures of a touring theatrical troupe, fighting to retain relevance in the era of TV. It centres around a family, the Hays. This family is the equivalent of Hollywood royalty, in small-time theatrical circles.
The main characters are married actors: George and Charlotte Hay. They are played by Dean Nicholson, and Liz Grindley. Both are superb. Nicholson’s performance as the egotistical (bordering on narcissistic) George Hay combined force of personality with sheer slapstick brilliance. George moves between baiting his insecure wife with lines such as “You are the world’s oldest living ingénue”, and peevishly trying to win her back. It was not unusual to see Nicholson often take leaps of faith in performance - and practically - to the floor - even off the stage. |
Moon Over Buffalo |
Grindley’s gritty personification of larger-than-life theatre personality, Charlotte Hay, saw her frequently invoke comedienne Carol Burnett. Her physique alone carried off the role, but kudos to the costume team too: Joanna Simpson and Rhonda Chapman. The outfits, in particular of the women characters, were stylish and period authentic.
Supporting roles included Anna Desjardins as the Hays' daughter, Rosalind, who superficially wants to get married to weather man, Howard (played with comic eccentricity and courage by Jack Mitchell), and leave acting circles. But Rosalind is lured back to the stage by young production house manager and aspiring lead actor, Paul (Dimitri Armatas).
The chemistry between Desjardins (who resembles a young Meg Ryan) and Armatas, was nothing short of hot. The performances could have been reined in, but overall the actors needed the energy they supplied, to maintain the momentum of the piece. It must be said the female matriarch, Ethel (Charlotte’s hard-of-hearing, yet loudly opinionated mother) was played with comic sensibility by Jenny Jacobs. Some of the best one-liners were reserved for this sharp-witted grandmother:
“George, you’re wrong. Grow up.”
Supporting roles included Anna Desjardins as the Hays' daughter, Rosalind, who superficially wants to get married to weather man, Howard (played with comic eccentricity and courage by Jack Mitchell), and leave acting circles. But Rosalind is lured back to the stage by young production house manager and aspiring lead actor, Paul (Dimitri Armatas).
The chemistry between Desjardins (who resembles a young Meg Ryan) and Armatas, was nothing short of hot. The performances could have been reined in, but overall the actors needed the energy they supplied, to maintain the momentum of the piece. It must be said the female matriarch, Ethel (Charlotte’s hard-of-hearing, yet loudly opinionated mother) was played with comic sensibility by Jenny Jacobs. Some of the best one-liners were reserved for this sharp-witted grandmother:
“George, you’re wrong. Grow up.”
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The last scene, where the ensemble performs a play within a play, Private Lives, was full of wit and charm. As the performance within a performance falls apart, the HHT cast really pulled together in true comic style. The set design by director Christopher Hamilton used the space and potential of the stage. It recreated the world of a struggling 1950s theatre - complete with green room, with imagination. And to answer that question: Is the theatre really dead? Most emphatically not! |
Moon Over Buffalo plays until December 10, 2017
Hunters Hill Theatre
Season: 1 December - 10 December Address: 22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill, 2110 |
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