Above: Charmaine Gibbs as Aldonza, Christopher Hamilton As Don Quixote and Andrew Jackaman as Sancho Panza. Main image: an ensemble cast moment.
Miranda Musical Society’s 2016 season is underway with a production of high drama and of a consistently high standard.
MAN OF LA MANCHA, first performed in 1964, elaborates the tale by imprisoned author Miguel de Cervantes of his character Don Quixote. This Don is a do-gooder, a somewhat shambles of a knight, who with his offsider Sancho Panchez, encounters a harsh world through a very rose-coloured helmet. The tales are brought to life from the author’s manuscript by prisoners performing them in a Seville prison during the Spanish Inquisition.
MAN OF LA MANCHA the musical rides to glory upon the evocative and complex score by Mitch Leigh. Musical Director Dean Turner ensures that the musical references to place and situation are suitably shaped and authentic. The rhythmic complexities between accompaniment and vocal lines are always well blend and seamlessly delivered. The offstage orchestra works well for this production.
Atmosphere, spontaneity and humanity are key requirements in the delivery of Cervantes’ play-within-a-play. Miranda Musical Society’s creative team ensures we are suitably transported to the beauty and savagery of both real life and the ensuing larger than life characters who appear.
Bob Peet’s set design fills the proscenium arch with an imposing multi-level prison structure. This angled set with the enhancement of Tim Dennis’ lighting design ably represents real life imprisonment and the poignant make-believe. It provides ample space for the active cast to fight, flee, fall in love or lust and for Don Quixote, Knight of the Woeful Countenance to stumble on quests with his broken weapons and not so gallant steeds.
Costuming as designed by James Worner explores the grimy side of prison and inn life. The contrast with Alonso Quinjana’s nicely-coutured La Mancha family in their intimate scenes to other distressed outfits is the show is pleasing to the eye.
Whether we witness prison life, the Quijana domestic scenes or the even harsher interactions with muleteers and female inn staff, Sam Larielle’s choreography provides well-paced believable effects. Fights are slick and violence present in the inn and opening prison sequences communicates real anger and the freshness of fear.
A cast of experienced principal voices a well-blended ensemble with successful soloists has been assembled for this musical. Christopher Hamilton descends into prison with fine airs and in fine voice. His transformation to the Man of La Mancha sees him in bold voice as he presents the standards I, Don Quixote and The Impossible Dream with neat aplomb. His singing of Dulcinea in Act One is beautifully contoured and is an instantly memorable moment.
Charmaine Gibbs’ representation of Aldonza, the inn prostitute fashioned into the maiden Dulcinea by Quixote’s mind, is a stunning and well-timed dramatic trajectory, illustrating all that is good and evil about being the object of desire. Her character’s spoken and sung voice is haunting and true. It is always appropriate to each part of her transformation into Dulcinea. The numbers What Does He Want of Me and Aldonza display the clarity and colour of Gibbs’ vocal resources.
Great stage commentary and support is provided in penetrating voice by Andrew Jackaman. His Sancho Panza is a standout package of triple-threat energy and varied caricature.
Another commendable characterisation and enjoyable voice amongst many is Misha Williamson’s Antonia, appearing anxious in fine period costume beside Alonso Quijana. Also adding excellent vocal tone colour during these moments of intimate ensemble are John Morrison as Padre and Andrew Symes as Doctor Carrasco.
This production offers an interesting innovation compared to the classic model towards its end. The undoing of Don Quixote at the hands of the Knight of the Mirrors is enhanced by the knight plus a mirror-wielding group in matching outfit. With lighting effects and costumed in unique reflective glory, the dark moment appeals to our modern, almost sci-fi sensibilities.
This vibrant re-telling of the tales and dramas within THE MAN OF LA MANCHA entertains on many levels. It does not fail in provoking the imagination of its audience. Two shows remain: Saturday 19/03/16 at 8pm and Sunday20/3/16 at 2:00pm