Sydney Uni Students take to the stage for a Cole Porter Classic
Halfway through the Sitzprobe of Anything Goes, the Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble (MUSE) takes a break after a long and productive afternoon of singing, dancing and channelling the 1930s. Whether it be MUSE Stalwart Natasha Stanton mastering the songs of the evangelical gospel singer Reno Sweeney, or the lively chorus numbers such as Blow Gabriel Blow, the show is piecing itself together, in what promises to be an energetic and enjoyable production.
Anna Colless, playing the role of Erma, explains why it was such a good choice for the society: ‘I think for a society such as MUSE, it’s not just about the quality of the show you produce. But it’s also about the quality of the show for the performers. It ticks all the boxes, including singing, dancing and acting. It gives everyone a chance to get involved.’
It was one of the ‘selling points’ used by Director Gavin Brown when pitching the show, that everyone would have something to do at some point. Brown has his own history with Anything Goes, having performed it at Knox Grammar School, where he was a student. Coincidentally, Musical Director Josh Davies played in the orchestra for that production. Gavin takes a moment to explain his sentiment: ‘It represents everything that I love about that era of musical theatre, and musical theatre in general. It’s full of charm, show stopping numbers, laughs and fun. Anything Goes was one of the first productions I ever did, to bring it to MUSE and the Seymour Centre is really special. The cast have done an amazing job in bringing all the elements the musical has to this stage. I’m so proud of them.’
The rehearsal continues, with Liam Belgairi singing ‘Be like the Blue Bird’.More exuberant chorus numbers follow. Traditionally, certain numbers such as ‘De Lovely’ and ‘Gypsy in Me’ are partner dances, but Choreographer Georgina Spong has managed to turn them into full chorus numbers. ‘The music of Porter is pretty much asking for bigger numbers. The larger numbers add to the atmosphere of the entire musical’ Spong explains. ‘The dancing for this show is very much movement based allowing for the flow easily from scene to number’.
The role of Reno Sweeney is truly a triple threat, with the standard set by Geraldine Turner, Patti Lupone, Ethel Merman and in recent times Amanda Harrison. MUSE veteran Natasha Stanton takes on the role and offers insight and perspective into the role, which she describes as complex: “There are lots of layers to Reno. She’s sassy and bold, which I can obviously tap into quite easily as it’s very similar to myself! But she is incredibly complicated as a character, falling in and out of love during the show. She really drives it. It’s the best character I’ve ever played on stage!”
The music of Anything Goes is known for its jazzy score and upbeat music. As many of the cast are both performers and musicians, they hold certain views on the music. Doug Emery, featured Sailor and also an accomplished Cellist says: “You obviously have the show stoppers, but you’ve got barbershop quartet material for the sailor quartet and even a bit of an exotic Hispanic element to it in ‘Gypsy in Me’. Rhythm plays a big role in the show, but it’s the diversity that makes it easy to love.”
The production at Sydney University has a vast majority of students from different faculties; Arts, Sciences, Law, Vet Science and many others. The production will also feature three students representing other universities, not a rarity amongst any of the past MUSE productions.
Whilst the cast rehearse at the beautiful grounds of the Conservatorium of Music, the production keeps buzzing in many capacities. Set construction takes place at Castle Hill, whilst the production’s graphic designer, Shakira Wilson, continues to work long hours in order to design pictures for various social media outlets to make them as eye-catching and appealing as possible.
Some may argue that the production will be put together by some of the hardest working students in Sydney. Sacrificing long nights, weekends and many man hours to put on a fantastic musical for a public audience. But ask any of the cast, crew and production team if it’s worth it and they won’t hold back in telling you what a good time they are having.
Jordy Shea
Anything Goes plays at the Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre from Wednesday March 26 to Saturday March 29.
http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/anything-goes/
Photography: Lawrence Humblet and Shakira Wilson
More Reading
Earlier Anyhting Goes coverage
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.
