Anyone Can Whistle at Sydney Uni

For those who know it, Sondheim & Laurent’s Anyone Can Whistle is a rare treat for the Australian, let alone, mainstream stage. The musical which originally ran 9 performances on Broadway with Angela Lansbury in the leading role of Cora Hoover Hooper has been seen rarely over the years, especially in Australia. Apart from a one night concert engagement at the Melbourne recital hall, and a recent Bankstown production, it is rarely that theatre-goers get to see this obscure show. But Sydney audiences will be able to enjoy a season of Anyone Can Whistle at the King Street Theatre in Newtown from October 16^{th -}  25^th. 

Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE) has presented many of Sondheim’s musicals over the years; from Company to Into the Woods, but this is the first time the ensemble will present one of his lesser known works. 

What made co-directors Olivia Aleksoski and Alexander Andrews choose this production? Olivia explains; ‘Alex had brought up Whistle but I wasn’t yet convinced. We went and saw Bernadette Peters live when she was in Sydney, and I was hooked. The fact that there hasn’t really been a major production in Australia makes this so exciting.’

The characters in Sondheim’s shows are never easy to perform, often harbouring several different dimensions, subtext and much more. Both directors have focused on making sure the cast are continually reacting to what’s around them. Each performer has been able to craft a character with various movements and expressions. This is seen particularly in the Simple number, which the cast have worked on rigorously. 

Curtis Goding, a Vet-Science major, plays Dr. Hapgood. Goding describes the production as a ‘Wonderful and challenging experience. It’s hard, but so worth it.’ Rounding out the cast is cabaret performer and actor, Sarah Gaul. Direct from her Sydney Fringe debut, she plays the role of Fay Apple, whom she describes as ‘Fierce, loyal, damaged...but at the same time, incredibly brave.’

Of course, the character that drives the piece, both in authority and presence; is the Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper. Sondheim could be considered revolutionary for writing such a strong, independent leading lady; considering the show was written in 1964. Dani El-Rassi plays Cora, with nothing short of delight; ‘Cora is a powerful and domineering female leader of the 1960’s and has made me question the social values of how society viewed a woman’s place at that time. It’s interesting to play it today, as I can see that Cora is indeed a timeless persona. A woman who craves independence.’

Anyone Can Whistle’s zany score blends vaudeville, gospel, musical comedy, ballet and even a touch of Marx brothers humour into one very conventional story. It is brave to produce this show, and being the amateur student premiere, it is a big deal for the performers and production team as show week continually looms ahead. 

The cast, who have been rehearsing everywhere; from dance studios to colleges, from rooftops to garages, have dived headfirst into a piece that many societies and professional companies would never go near. Sondheim fans and general musical theatres junkies will be in their element when this ‘cult classic’ is staged at the King Street Theatre.

Whilst MUSE will stage this production to keep the ‘Sondheim tradition’ alive for future Rep seasons, Co-Director Alexander Andrews has a message for the general public that may want to pay a visit to this desperate little town; ‘Whistle is non-conventional, charming and hilarious, while incredibly complex and thought provoking. The show is important and something that people need to see.’

Anyone Can Whistle by Stephen Sondheim & Arthur Laurents. King Street Theatre, October 16^th-25^th.  Tickets: http://www.kingstreettheatre.com.au/program/110-in-the-shade-4/

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Images: nick&nick Photography