Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
How delightful to see a musical and for it to exceed all your expectations.
My expectations were lowered, because on face value this production looked like a brave choice for the producers James Anthony and George Youakim.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as a musical is relatively unknown in Australia and it has already been eight years since it had a respectable run on Broadway of 18 months, but it is by no means a blockbuster or a classic.
In artistic terms the gamble has paid off handsomely and I have to say that this production was the best and most enjoyable musical of 2013.
Let’s start on the book, lyrics and music, which is an adaptation of the movie made famous by Steve Martin and Michael Caine.
The tale of lovable rogues, swindling cash from unsuspecting airheads, set in glamorous locations, with the occasional dash of romance is gorgeous musical fare.
Although you don’t come out whistling one tune in particular the songs were fresh and some of the dialogue, particularly the one liners from Andre Thibalt ( John Wood) and Anne Wood ( Muriel Eubanks), were side splittingly funny.
It was the cast which made it such a special night.
Welcome back to Australia Tony Sheldon. He was elegant and stylish as the debonair scoundrel Lawrence Jameson.
His foil Matt Hetherington as Freddy Benson nailed every moment of slapstick humour.
And Amy Lehpamer also shone as Christine Colgate.
Combined with an attractive set and slick choreography it was a good old fashioned night of musical schtick.
Buy yourself a ticket, you won’t regret it.
David Spicer
Photographer: Kurt Sneddon
More on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.