OBSERVER: My Brilliant Career
Presented by the Melbourne Theatre Company, the award-winning Australian musical My Brilliant Career has made a stunning return to the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, playing until February 28.
Wow, what a show! This reimagined interpretation of Miles Franklin’s 1901 novel under the direction of Anne-Louise Sarks takes musical theatre to another level.
With book by Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant, music by Mathew Frank and lyrics by Dean Bryant, the show is set in regional New South Wales in the late 1890s.
Under the musical direction of Victoria Falconer, Frank’s smorgasbord of contemporary pop, bush balladry and pub-rock was an instant crowd-pleaser.
The concept of an ensemble of artists multi-tasking to play musical instruments, act, sing, dance and entertain with gusto works ingeniously for this show. The ability of some of these ‘quadruple threats’ to dance and high kick whilst playing the cello, violin and guitar was awesome.
Kala Gare is fabulous as teenage protagonist Sybylla Melvin.
With her powerhouse voice, musical skills and stage presence, Kala is also a naturalistic storyteller, seamlessly breaking the fourth wall to address and befriend her audience, sharing irony and delight.
An ensemble of multi-talented musical theatre artists skilfully intermixes to portray Franklin’s characters.
Each performer sparkles individually, including Drew Livingston, Ana Mitsikas, Raj Labade, Christine O’Neill, Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Melanie Bird, Lincoln Elliott, Victoria Falconer and Jarrad Payne.
Anne-Louise Sarks ensures her audience is entertained throughout the pacey show, complemented by Amy Campbell’s fresh, lively choreography.
Marg Horwell’s set design appears simple but is incredibly clever, succeeding in transporting the audience to the various story locations. The era authentic costumes include some spectacular puff-sleeve designed dresses which add to visual interest.
A sense of joy radiates from this show as performers and audience share each delightful theatrical moment.
My Brilliant Career is an exciting new Australian musical, developed as part of the Jeanne Pratt Artist in Residency Program at Monash University. It deserves a place in the canon of Australian musical theatre.
Performance Season: Until February 28
Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Sumner
Bookings: mtc.com.au
Review by Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Kala Gare stars as Sybilla Melvin in My Brilliant Career. Photo: Pia Johnson