VICKI is playing a short season at Lane Cove Theatre Company.  It’s a new work, a musical, home grown and it’s great fun as only community theatre can be.  As I left the hall tonight I was hearing people who had enjoyed themselves, chatting about the show and even beginning the conversation about some of the ideas that the production had thrown their way.  No wonder either, because that last song, a reprise, with the four cast members singing together is a ripper and a great way to finish the night. 

John, an artist, and Michelle, a poet, are saved from a nuclear event by their scientist neighbour, Val.  Ushered into a bomb shelter they settle down for the night but are disturbed by the passing of a strange woman in this sealed, confined space.  This stranger is Vicki, a robot created by Val and whose calculations foresaw the disaster above them.  As Vicki’s existence is touched by the lives of these humans in close contact, she becomes changed … and so do they.

It’s an interesting premise for writer Rodney Stewart, who has had the idea in mind since the early 1970s when the threat of annihilation was omnipresent.  We might have other distractions on our mind now but the implications of nuclear war are no less terrifying.  Steward also wrote the music for the show.

As John, Zach Selmes, is a late addition to the cast and that shows somewhat in the performance but those occasions when he is sure of himself and tapping into John’s cynicism can be very entertaining.  Good on him for stepping up and doing such a great job… from the audience it didn’t look like a line out of place.  And he makes a lovely couple with Laura Bucci as Michelle. Bucci has some nice moments and her spoken poetry sequence was a great hit with the audience who obviously appreciated her complete commitment to the immersion of the words.

Also giving a committed performance is Lucy Nielson as Val.  She has the biggest arc to travel of the piece and the character’s change is nicely nuanced from the busy, brusque and workman-like focus to a softer, more open way of seeing the world.  The robot Vicky, Cerise Kofoed, changes too and with Director Shane Bates‘ thoughtful guidance, Vicki’s humanisation and emotional development are discreetly nurtured.  Look for a very funny, and loaded, facial expression when Vicki discusses the basement.

There are some very enjoyable comic moments, especially with the dictionary responses of Vicki, and the text leaves room for some great fun with Vicki’s physicality, especially in the dance scene.  The story develops well, is surprisingly adult in places and the logic vs creativity arguments are there for the taking.

VICKI is an emerging work, and like its namesake, it still has some growing up to do.  The songs, though often engaging, seem very stand-alone rather than contributing to the drive of the story or advancement of character.  None of the songs are indulgent though, each has variety within and character and meaning without.  Some of them would definitely make successful singles.  Co-opted as an anthem, ‘Ban the Bomb’ would stand the test of time and brings some of the themes home sharply. There’s poignancy in ‘A Vacant Star’ early which is contrasted well with ‘Changes’ late in the show.

The latter is a solo by Nielson and her impassioned work had real pathos and struck home to the audience.  Each of the cast brings dedication to the singing, Bucci’s voice sits so fluidly when she has the chance to use her soprano and Selmes rich lower notes are so warm when he occasionally hits full voice.  Unfortunately, the space does limit their performance, I would love to see what they could do with more orchestration, some key changes for individual tone and the chance to belt out.

So I add my voice to the program plea for a Lane Cove performing arts space … as I did when I saw the company’s GODSPELL in 2015. Come-on get to it!  Lane Cove Theatre Company, and that reprise at the finale, ‘Back in the World’, shows why live theatre is so important to community.  It sends one out into the world with a smile, a song ringing in the ears and the need to chat to strangers.  Exactly what we need in a time of threat and isolation.

VICKI, Lane Cove Theatre Company [Facebook] continues until Sunday 25th February.