Students Produce Company
George Furth & Stephen Sondheim’s Company is the next production for Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE), to be performed from October 2nd – 12th at the King St Theatre, Newtown.
Company Producer Jordy Shea recently caught up with Ash Kurrle and Allister Haire, the Director & Musical Director, during a break in an intense rehearsal.
Student shows are often looked upon with a sense of limitations. For Ash Kurrle & Al Haire, the Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE) production of George Furth & Stephen Sondheim’s Company, they both plan to set the bar for future productions at the University, and make sure everyone is as professional, and as disciplined as possible.
J.S: Of all the shows, of all the Sondheim’s, why Company?
A.K: The show really does speak to me. Each couple has a different idea of what relationships and what marriage is, and especially its differences. I think it was important to choose a show that has that theme, because as a country, we are particularly ‘on the fence’ about marriage equality, and it’s a massive issue right now with the election coming up as well. I actually used this as my proposal piece for the production course at NIDA, and as I didn’t make it, I wanted to make sure I could eventually stage it somewhere else. MUSE fortunately offers a repertory season, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
J.S: Do you find Sondheim musically challenging?
A.H: I think Sondheim is a very, very specific kind of musical. It’s designed for people who are musically literate, but it’s really beneficial for anyone. We have some people in our cast who are very literate in music, others who are more instrumentally advanced. The thing is, it’s less about Sondheim’s intrinsic tunes, but more about crafting Furth’s believable characters. Sondheim has created something pretty amazing with Furth. It’s definitely my favourite Sondheim.
J.S: How do you work with such a small cast?
A.K: My style is fairly natural. I am really adamant on making sure the performers can grow a character. This means making sure the gestures are all natural, and not too over-the top. With many musicals, there is a lot of grandiose and flamboyance in them, with Company, it’s truly about real people.
J.S: Al, this is your first musical serving as Musical Director, what challenges have you found in doing so?
A.H: Being able to find that balance between teaching people the songs, and also allowing for motivation and encouragement. However, we are extremely lucky with this cast. Many of the performers really take it on themselves to independently learn outside of rehearsal times. Our Bobby, Owen Elsley, is a prime example. He sings in choirs, and there is a real sense of being self taught which we’re incredibly fortunate to have.
J.S: Both of you are very experienced both on stage and behind the scenes, where did it all begin for both of you?
A.K: I’ve been playing Double Bass since I was 4, so I developed a musical taste quite early. My first Musical was, believe it or not; the Bernstein & Sondheim collaboration of West Side Story when I was in High School. Since then I’ve dabbled in the fields of Lighting Design, Stage Management, Musical Direction and performance.
A.H: I got involved doing plays and all that in High School. My first significant show was probably Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar in Year 10. I’ve done a fair amount of improv at Sydney University, and I’ve also done two shows for MUSE. Recently though, I Musically Directed the Melodies at the Red Rattler in Marrickville. That was fun.
J.S: The cast, how have they been?
A.K: Delightful. The best thing about this show is that no one is lost in the cracks. At a time, I’m working with about 3-4 people, max. I get to learn more and more about them as performers and individuals, it’s great.
A.H: Excellent. They are easily the hardest working people I know, and posses such a sense of discipline within performance. We’re really lucky to be perfectly honest.
Ash finishes off before rehearsal recommences:
‘We want to set a standard for professionalism, musicality and discipline for any MUSE shows that may follow. It’s definitely something that both Al & I wanted to achieve from the time we even thought about the proposal.’
Both of them return to rehearse, and remain enthusiastic for the remaining five weeks. About to embark on a 3 day intensive camp to rehearse and polish, the result we hope, will be more than a student production.
Images: the Production Team and the Company cast.
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