Anything Goes

Wanneroo Repertory Club closed the year with a large scale production of Cole Porter's Anything Goes. It was directed and choreographed by Terry Pirlo with musical direction by Michelle Claire.

A simple, single set with multiple levels was well employed, while costuming was a pleasure to look at, especially with the ladies' dresses.

There were some likeable performances. Jen Edwards, a confident, mature Reno, reminded me of Rhonda Burchmore; Caleb Robinson-Cook had boy-next-door charm as hero Billy; Genevieve Newman's sweet-voiced Hope, was very elegant and Justin Vallow was admirably awkward as Lord Evelyn Oakley. Ryan Perrin was an amiable gangster without-a-plan, Meg McKibben was a sweetly sexy Erma, while Tim Riessen and Loz Haines were a lovely comic pairing as Mr Whitney and Mrs Harcourt.

I enjoyed the presence of Reno's Angels, Kiara Macri, Hayley Currie, Kathleen Del Casale and Aleisha Archer.

There was some impressive choreography, although timing could have been better, especially in large group numbers. A highlight of the show was Meg McKibben's beautifully sung ‘Buddy Beware’, performed with Mason Feltoe, Blake Torrens (in a promising debut) and a curiously hatless Kieren Morgan-Parata.

It was wonderful to hear the full sound of a large live band, but the execution could have been more clean.

A pleasant show that would have benefited from greater pace and faster pickup of lines from some performers. It was an enjoyable night at the theatre and the production was well-received by the full house.

Kimberley Shaw