Reviews

Children are arguably a much tougher audience than adults, but the joy in The Space at The Festival Centre was palpable for every minute of the 45 minute performance of Especially on Birthdays.

As the story of twins approaching their life-changing 6th birthday literally unfolds, it touches and provokes, entertains and creates wonder.

Blake Edwards’ gender bending musical comedy has stood the test of time rather well. The 1982 film with which you’re most likely familiar was a remake of a 1933 German movie (Viktor und Viktoria), while the Broadway musical adaptation hit the stage in 1995. Decades later, the jokes still land, and the Academy Award winning Mancini score still gets the toes tapping.

Deborah Mullhall’s decision to use a Steampunk theme for this production works surprisingly well. The1980s fashion genre that mixed Edwardian costumes with the cogs and goggles that symbolised the industrial revolution, pushes Bernard Shaw’s characters into a more contemporary age – and highlights the fact that the themes he wrote about in 1912 haven’t changed greatly. The world is still classist and judgemental. There is still inequality. Chauvinism still abounds.

So much rehearsal by so many singers and musicians for a once only performance! But what a performance! And what a huge and appreciative audience! The Concert Hall was full; the atmosphere of anticipation was infectious. And no one was disappointed.

The Chamber Singers and the Symphony Chorus were joined by Capella St. Crucis, Hannover and the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra to present:

Antony Pitts’ XLX Mente cordis Sui,

J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D major and

W.A. Mozart’s Mass in C minor.