“Write what you know” is the main message, (especially for writers) from “Little Women – College Musical in Concert” presented by Trinity College at Gawler. The musical was based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, which has never gone out of print. The story of the four March sisters – Jo the enthusiastic tomboy and would-be famous writer, romantic Meg, sweet lovely Beth and playful baby Amy – and their family, friends and lovers set in the 1860s in America in the time of the Civil War. The fast paced story entrances us all with a sense of optimism, inspired by Jo’s driven passion and persistence in getting her novels written and published, in spite of societal and family pressures for her to conform to a woman’s expected role of marriage and babies.
In the new state-of-the-art Marnkutyi Parirna Theatre, the first thing we noticed was that the 24 piece Band was centre stage, with the action happening around it, and sometimes the performers appearing from within it and often interacting with the Band! The Band Director Andrew Newhouse and Senior Concert Band were excellent, especially Edmund Black’s wonderful haunting piano playing, with principals Jenny Hu on flute, Daniel Burgess on clarinet and Charlotte Newhouse on trumpet.
Jacob Heinze’s lighting and audio visual display, with 7 frames cleverly depicting aspects of the story, added to Bryce Young’s excellent sound production to create clear visuals and resonance – vocally and musically.
Kristy Triantafilakis’ set design was innovative, with action in three separate areas – the cosy living room in Massachusetts where the family interacts, the attic where Jo gets her inspiration and does her writing and the New York boarding house where Jo lives when trying to sell her stories.
The independent, fiery Jo March was performed animatedly and passionately by Chloe Seabrook, with her strong presence and confident vocal range.
Caitlin Bentley played the eldest sister, prim and proper Meg March, who was upstaged when she brought baby Jesse Triantafilakis onstage for a brief cameo. Shy Beth’s talent of piano playing was cleverly contrived and Saffron Bradley made a wonderful performance of her generous loving spirit, and emotional when sick and dying.
Neve Cammans’ eagerness and excitement as the youngest sister Amy, was infectious and uplifting.
Sofia Turner, who acted as Marmee March, embodied her strength and resilience with gentleness and serenity.
Josh Roberts as Theodore (Laurie) Laurence had a wonderful voice and charmingly played his part of a lonely boy next door who fell in love with not one but two of the March sisters, and finally married Amy.
Formidable Aunt March, the snooty, strict and wealthy patroness aunt, who tried to mould Jo and succeeded with Amy, was very convincingly played by the diminutive but strong Danielle Puccini,
Rhys Young as Professor Bhaer, had a strange accent at times, but it was always foreign, and he convinced us of his authenticity as a critic when he advised Jo that she could “do better”.
The five dancers, as maids or ice skaters, or kite flyers, were an important and beautiful part of the continuity of the musical. Particularly when the kite lights up and “dances” across the stage. Well done by choreographer Caley Watt. All the other performers were well rehearsed and accomplished, just too many to mention individually.
It was hard to reconcile that the cast were all senior students at college, as the maturity with which they performed in their roles was excellent, especially with many complex vocal melodies and emotional, dramatic scenes.
The singing of all performers was superb, with wonderful melodies by Jason Howland and all songs, whether solo or duet or groups beautifully rendered.
On both nights of the show, there was a standing ovation and many laughs and other emotional sounds from the lively, attentive audience made this performance memorable, to the credit of Director Kristy Triantafilakis.
It’s a pity there were only two performances.
