Big Fish

There are many shows - both plays and musicals - that are unlikely to make it to the Australian stage. They’re Broadway or West End productions we hear little about; they’re not massive hits and have little commercial potential. And some of them are gems.

Big Fish is such a show. It was a big-budget hope on Broadway but closed less than three months into its run. It was described by many as overblown but here we’re seeing a much smaller version. It is still unlikely to get a major Australian run but is an excellent fit for Sydney’s Hayes Theatre.

This musical, based on the novel and Tim Burton film of the same name, is not perfect but has a touching story that’s easy to fall for. And this production hits all the right notes in the tiny Hayes space, with a wonderful cast and imaginative staging from director Tyran Parke.

Big Fish explores the power of stories and imagination - and how the most ambitious storytelling can push the limits of honesty and integrity. The central character, Edward Bloom, is a fantastic father, in the sense that he tells a lot of tall stories, so much so that his son Will doubts his character. Will believes that most of the things his father tells him are made up - and many of the most important truths remain untold.

The show has some wonderful songs and strengthens as the family drama deepens. A grown-up Will clashes more and more with his father as he learns he will have a child of his own. He delves into his father’s (real) past and learns for himself how much integrity his father has.

The production had serious challenges on opening night, with the actor playing Edward Bloom, Phillip Lowe, battling a throat infection. The director, Tyran Parke, came up with a risky solution of stepping in himself to sing Edward’s songs from the side of the stage. Lowe mimed, just as they do in some of the great Hollywood classics. 

Despite the risks, it worked, because Parke has a lovely voice and Lowe’s acting is so strong. The emotion he shows in the last song is heart-breaking. And this unusual arrangement was a success, one can only anticipate Lowe returning to full voice. My guess is his Edward Bloom would become even more endearing.

Mind you, some of the most appealing songs are sung by other characters. One favourite moment was Katrina Retallick, who plays Edward’s wife Sandra, singing beautifully “I Don’t Need a Roof”. And as Will, Adam Rennie has a powerful yet sweet tone, commanding the stage with songs like “Strangers”.

Kirby Burgess also has a gorgeous voice as Jenny. The ensemble is very strong too.

The Hayes has problematic acoustics and it would be nice to be closer to the band. But Big Fish sits alongside other Hayes productions Heathers and Xanadu as an unlikely, modest hit (and also more likely hits Cabaret, Sweet Charity and Little Shop of Horrors). Hopefully, like them, this show will be seen by a wider audience.

Peter Gotting

Images: Kate Williams Photography