BY SYLVIE WOODS
Merrily We Roll Along
Little Triangle
The Depot Theatre, Marrickville, 14 March
What’d you miss?
- A reviewer snomming tasty snacks
- The unglamorous artist’s life
- A show with actual relevance
Yes, fine. That was me on Wednesday night carting Maltesers into the theatre.
You got it, honeys – I was treating myself. The theatre may ennoble the mind, but it also sells tasty snacks.
So, what did I think?
I think Merrily We Roll Along is a show that could imperil the hegemony of Sondheimian favourites Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music if performed to The Depot Theatre’s Rose McClelland, Conrad Hamill and Alexander Andrews’ standards invariably. By their interpretation, it is amusing, fast-paced, and expressly relevant to an audience of young people.
Thematically, it deals with the snarls of friendship, the interlacing of loyalty and betrayal, the stamina and sacrifice required of those who ‘dream big’ in the creative world, and the self-destruction that follows unconditional devotion. This Sondheim is particularly effective in revealing the unglamorous, unsure constitution of the artist’s life. However, it also notably features superb musical elements – even the trickiest of which were polished to a shine by musical director Hamill. This show has no Send-In-The-Clowns-equivalent showstopper that sends us swooning into lap of whoever sits beside us; Merrily We Roll Along relies on the aptitude of ‘the blob’ (aka the ensemble, as you’ll learn at the show). The ensemble performers’ overall versatility, coordination, and vocal strength enabled them to redirect the plot, convey temporal markers, and character-swap on our periphery. Andrews’ meticulous stage direction in Sunday in the Park with George was seen again in the sharp comic timing, excellent tension, and unceasing vivacity of ensemble moments. Vocal ability overall was outstanding.
Particularly successful in their small roles was Katelin Koprivec as the magistrate, and Jessie Layt as Tyler. Victoria Zerbst, playing Mary Flynn, succeeded in a demanding role which required a delicate, convincing graduation from world-wearied inebriate to worshipful adolescent. Beyond this, her affectations of togetherness and cordiality between revelations of anguish reached the audience to rousing effect.
Charlie, portrayed by Zach Selmes, delivered vocal numbers compellingly and beautifully. Matilda Moran made an enchanting Gussie; she was just one of many performers who exceeded expectations.
Little Triangle will surely continue to delight audiences with Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along until the 24 March at Marrickville’s Depot Theatre.
Image supplied.
