Company: 

Soul Work Ensemble

Season: 4 October 2014

Venue: Playhouse Theatre, Hobart

Festival: Short & Sweet 2014 

Written by: Alex Broun

Director: Rogan Brown

Staging: Rogan Brown

Costumes: The cast

SYNOPSIS

When Australian traveller, Len, steps into a Beijing McDonald's he doesn't expect to meet Susannah, another Australian who is in China on a working holiday. It’s New Years Eve, and Len, a typical Aussie tourist, tries to strike up a conversation with Susannah. In a bid to become more familiar, Len offers her a bite of his Big Mac.  But the reception he gets is as chilly as an icy blast from Mongolia when she informs him that she is a vegetarian…  It’s downhill for Len from there on. 

Or is it? 

Company: 

Mainstage Theatre Company

Season: 

23 October - 2 November 2014

Venue: Peacock Theatre, Hobart 

Written by: Clark Gesner

Director: Don Gay

Production Manager: Rogan Brown

Stage Manager: Janet Smith

THEATRE REVIEW

A musical play based on the popular and long-running comic strip “Peanuts” is a good vehicle for adults to enjoy being children again. Mainstage Theatre Company enjoyed presenting the delightful musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Peacock Theatre in Hobart. The famous rock wall of the Peacock Theatre was obscured by a scrim, behind which sat four band members playing percussion, bass, piano and flute, under the musical direction of Amanda Harper, who played flute and set the pace for two hours of energetic action.

What is not to like about YAGMCB? With such a long history, the characters are known and loved. Casting was perfection and believable – so easy for the audience to relate to their own “inner child”. Andrew John looked the part of meek, nervous, un-confident Charlie Brown and won over the audience as the epitome of un-success. Melanie Brown, an adult, was the most convincing four year-old character one could imagine: as Sally Brown, Charlie Brown’s baby sister, she was adorably energetic, sweet and cute.  

Christopher Forbes as Snoopy was one of the best dogs I had seen on stage. Anna Kidd was shrill, whimsical, capricious and cute as Lucy Van Pelt. Jeremy Pyefinch (Linus) convincingly portrayed the need for anyone to retain their comfort and security blanket. Every gang needs a clever, thoughtful, talented child for balance - Bodane Hatten was a delightful Schroeder.

Choreography by Kristy Baker was varied but not too complicated, while simple style costumes in primary colours echoed the cartoon strip look. The minimal set consisted of a dais/catwalk arrangement, a kennel and a few props. Lighting was used effectively to explode colour highlights on the scrim/hidden rocks. Director Don Gay developed each character to show the cheerfulness of the play, complete with the hidden anxieties and vulnerabilities that we know so well. The show was carried by the energy of the performers, loving their roles and having a good time. An uplifting experience!

Merlene Abbott