Frank Christie Frank Clarke!

Frank Christie Frank Clarke!
by Peter Fleming and Allan McFadden. The Performance Hall at the Italian Forum. 2012 Sydney Fringe. Sept 26 – 30, 2012.

Leichhardt’s Italian Forum Performance Hall was host to an innovative and entertaining night of theatre when Frank Christie, Frank Clarke! was performed for the Fringe Festival. The musical featured original music and lyrics by lan McFadden and Peter Fleming and was a remarkable showcase of talent.

The play was presented in a traditional music hall style with the actors sitting against a wall behind a small music ensemble. Relying solely on hats, wigs and beards with simple props of chairs and tables, they produced the story of bushranger Frank Gardiner with wit, humour and effervescence. Each member of the cast, except main player Brent Dolahenty, took on several roles which displayed their ability to sing, dance and create unique characters.

The show was infused with an infectious joy that brought smiles to the audience. The original songs combined with an insouciant Aussie humour resulted in a rollicking romp which employed physical humour and subtle wit. 

Dolahenty was a charismatic Frank Gardiner, Lena Cruz as his love interest, Wu Lin, was a convincing leading lady and Jennifer Reed  as Sylvia embodied a 19th century diva with a singing voice that boomed beautifully throughout the theatre. John Derum and Laurence Coy were mischievous villains, whilst Timothy Monley and Trent Kidd were a classic vaudevillian song and dance duo.

The writers and director Aime Neeme have produced a quintessentially Australian musical which cleverly intertwines its subject matter with an awareness of theatrical history. Frank Christie, Frank Clarke! deserves a longer run and a wider audience.

Leann Richards.

Photographer: Stevie Cruz-Martin

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