This production had dual casts in principal roles. In the interest of fairness to all, TASA reviewed both casts. David Smith reviewed the Crikey Cast and Alan Shepley reviewed the Bonza Cast.
Crikey Cast
Based on the 1899 Ethel Pedley novel of the same name, this is a charming Australian story of a little girl lost in the bush and cared for by the animals. It is well realised by the cast and production team at AYT. Director Bridget Tran, MD Sara Boksmati and Choreographer Sophie Hill cast the musical well, and presented the action attractively before the well-planned and adeptly operated mobile set, designed by Bridget Tran and Tuan Tran.
The set was central in setting the mood and establishing the bushland colour for each scene. It was in fact a collection of small, illustrated four-sided flats on wheels, which were expertly manipulated and placed strategically in all parts of the stage. It looked attractive, and supported the cast’s music, movement and action very well indeed.
AYT have got the recipe right over some years, and their youth musicals really hit the mark, both artistically and with their young audiences. This was no exception, and with its obviously Australian theme, setting and (ah the pleasure of it) the authentic Australian accents, it held the audience’s attention through all the big production numbers and the quieter, gentler sections of dialogue and song.
The two leads, Dot and Mrs Kangaroo, established their characters strongly from the outset. Dot was played by the chirpy, believable Bethany Swift. She convinced us of her quirky, adventurous nature and held our attention through all the experiences when lost in the bush. She acted and sang well. She wowed the audience with her powerful rendition of See The Country, a song which showed the strength of her voice, while also highlighting the reason for her adventure.
Playing opposite Dot was Keira Wubbolts as Mrs Kangaroo. She made good use of her mellow, mature voice in dialogue and song. She was gentle and understanding in her dealings with Dot and stood her ground in a quietly determined way when arguing Dot’s case before the council of the animals.
Other notable performances were Jonathan Siow as Dot’s decent, concerned father, Reese Holt as her thoughtful and caring sister, Matilda, and Henry Tran who made a great deal of his big platypus character and show-stopping song King Of The Burrow. The knockabout comic trio of cheeky birds played by Bailey Wilkinson, Maisie Lewis and Zoe Van Pamelen were funny and entertaining, while Gracie Cheung, Catherine Kilpatrick, Mia Khairul and Charlotte Richardson sang and moved with polish, especially when leading the chorus in The Ladies’ Lounge.
The ensemble was well rehearsed and provided a colourful and joyful support to the lead characters. Among other impressive numbers, they were especially tuneful and exuberant in the catchy old-style hoedown Bottoms Up At The Waterhole.
In short, AYT has succeeded again, this time with a slick and engaging Aussie-themed musical. The story is clear, the songs are entertaining and the mood is positive. Dot And The Kangaroo could be staged more often.
Bonza Cast
I saw the Bonza cast play to an attentive, well-behaved and appreciative audience on Thursday morning. In a principal role as Mrs Kangaroo, Alyssa Faranda displayed both confidence and great stage presence. She has a well modulated speaking voice and her articulation is excellent. Her singing voice is sweet and true. A captivating performance. Khushi Choudhari displays similar confidence to her role as Matilda and her singing voice also is lovely and clear. The patriarch of the piece Henry (a well spoken Jonathon Siow) makes the most of his role. His stage presence is both relaxed and assured as is his singing. I must say that the vocal delivery from everybody was remarkably even and good. As young daughter of the family and principal character Dot, Adele Binns brings brightness, curiosity and a sense of wonder to her full of life character. She ensures that Dot is a focal point to the narrative of this play. A notable performance.
The three “birds in the ‘hood” Larry (Elliot Purdie), Mal (Noah Magourilos) and Wazza (Kyle Mobbs) relish their role as a comic collective. Their in your face knockabout antics really tickled the audience’s fancy. Each of the three actors contributed equally to routines that were well choreographed, beautifully timed and slickly delivered. Great fun! The other trio of flighty notables in this piece were the Bowerbirds. Babs (Maree Fong), Belle (Estelle Holler) and Bree (Eliza Jackson) breezed in, out and across the stage in well rehearsed and exuberant fashion. They added even more colour, life and sparkle to a super fun packed ensemble number like “The Ladies Lounge”.
Josh Curtis as the Platypus is first rate as the second rate carnival showman who made doubly sure he let us know he was “King of the Burrow”. With excellent comic timing, an affinity for his audience and an obvious inclination for milking laughs Curtis delivered a memorable performance. And so did all the other minor characters together with a well drilled ensemble. Like the audience, I really liked it a lot.
