The conventional wisdom about musical theatre, is all about maintaining convention whilst applying no wisdom. COMPANY as performed at Limelight On Oxford, is an astonishing fresh take and very wisely is not conventional, easily finding a modern-day resonance, and fully delivering an amazing musical comedy feast with this clever revival. Director Julie Baz has applied her unique vision to make COMPANY the must see musical in Sydney this year. COMPANY won six Tony Awards and is a modern musical classic from 1970, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and Book by George Furth.
Now in his mid 30s, Robert is an emotionally available single man, the well-heeled playboy bachelor who is enjoying the good life by being completely non-monogamous, and is constantly dating multiple women in New York City. However his personal life is also ruled by his “happily” married friends, who are all trying to get him a wife. A full life, with none of the constant continuous difficulties and the required necessary acceptance, from maintaining a monogamous committed relationship, if only Robert was actually interested in finding “the one”. In 1970 Sondheim said “The increasing difficulty of making emotional connections in an increasingly dehumanised society” and this version is firmly located in the 2010s, with everyone stuck to and addicted to their mobile telephones.
Each moment is brilliantly blocked by director Julie Baz, fully using to the maximum David Jeffrey’s black minimalist set, that is offset centre-stage by the bright-red luminescent colourful lounge. Casting, costumes, choreography, every element works cohesively together. Mehran Mortezaei has yet again, created the perfect lighting mood required for every scene and song. Wonderful ensemble voices and the entire cast are almost permanently on stage, and cast members almost-invisibly disappear to change into their new costumes.
The witty Stephen Sondheim score includes “Another Hundred People” “Side by Side by Side” “Being Alive” “Getting Married Today” “Barcelona”. Michele Lansdown (JOANNE) yet again delivers the best of the best, with her very memorable and truly outstanding performance of her solo song “The Ladies Who Lunch”. Brendan Paul (ROBERT) has a fabulous-sounding singing voice, and is perfectly cast as the always elegantly dressed, playboy bachelor. Highly Recommended.
CAST Heather Campbell, Maree Cole, Emily Dreyer, Grace Driscoll, Lincoln Elliott, Jacqui Greenfield, Michele Lansdown (JOANNE), Michael McPhee, Alexander Morgan, Brendan Paul (ROBERT), Bridget Patterson, Ileana Pipitone, Marcus Rivera, Richard Woodhouse.
MUSICIANS Antonio Fernandez (MD/Keys), David Catterall (Keys 2/Flute), Clare Kahn (Cello), Riley Gillen (Trumpet), Amanda Jenkins (Bass), David Manuel (Drums)
DIRECTOR – Julie Baz
MUSIC DIRECTOR – Antonio Fernandez
CHOREOGRAPHER – Tracey Blankenship
DANCE CAPTAIN – Emily Dreyer
SET DESIGN – David Jeffrey
LIGHTING DESIGN – Mehran Mortezaei
COSTUME DESIGN – Julie Baz
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR – Nyssa Hamilton
STAGE MANAGER – Lydia Kelly
8pm Wed-Thu-Fri, 2pm and 8pm Sat – from 14th November until 1st December 2018. Duration 150 minutes with one interval.
Bookings: http://limelightonoxford.com.au/Company.php
Tickets: http://limelightonoxford.com.au/Company-Tickets.php
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Limelight on Oxford, 231 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.
An array of enticing entertainment and events, accompanied by tasty food and tantalising drinks. Beautiful old three level terrace, LIMELIGHT ON OXFORD has a bar and eatery on the ground floor (which also operates as a Café during performance days) and Level One is a lounge bar. Both floors can host live music, cabaret, comedy and private functions (closed Sundays, Mondays). The LIMELIGHT ROOM on Level Two is a boutique and very intimate black box performance space, comfortably seating 48 for live theatre events.
What happens if I’m running late? Due to the layout of the space, unfortunately if you arrive after the doors have closed for the start of the show, you will not be able enter until after interval (if there is one). There are no refunds or exchanges available for latecomers.