The Mystery of the Hansom Cab

The Adelaide Repertory Theatre has blended its production of the convoluted melodrama The Mystery of the Hansom Cab with good old-fashioned musical hall performances, resulting in hysterically funny and brazenly over-the-top entertainment.

Adapted by Barry Pree and based on Fergus Hume’s 1886 book, the melodrama is the tale of an investigation into the murder of Owen White, who is found dead inside a hansom cab.

Director Gary Anderson has changed the setting to Adelaide’s streets and suburbs and much is made of iconic places, fixtures and memories, including the Mall’s balls, Hindley Street, Jetty Road, The Advertiser and Don Dunstan’s hot pink shorts.

The large, and, in most cases, highly experienced cast produces some fine performances, superbly brought together by the Master of Ceremonies, Joshua Coldwell. With fine delivery, a devilish sense of fun and great comic timing, Coldwell keeps the action moving along at a rollicking pace.

Felix, the villain of the piece, is played with consummate ease by Barry Hill. He is wonderful, though I’d like to see him go even more over-the top with his dastardliness. Hill’s separate ‘The Hole in the Elephant’s Bottom’ music hall cameo is delightful. Penni Hamilton-Smith brings into play her five years’ experience at Adelaide’s long-remembered Olde Kings Music Hall to create the wonderful character of Sal Rawlins, engaging the audience the moment she steps on stage. Christopher Evans does well as Sal’s doting fiancé, Clements Rankin.  Lindy Le Cornu is hilarious in her role as Rubina Hamilton. Her performance is brought to a screamingly funny dead-pan peak in the balloon dance with Christopher Evans. Chris Meegan is excellent in his role as Adelaide Club member, Colton. He also stuns the audience into brief but wonderful respite from laughter with a superb rendition of ‘Danny Boy’. Jude Hines is gorgeously tarty as Mother Guttersnipe, lady of decidedly ill-repute; a strong performance. Tamara Bennetts is memorable as Detective Gorby and Hannah O’Grady is suitably sweet as Madge, the heroine. Ryan Dooley is droll as the Irish hero, Brian. Amongst the remaining cast, Jonathon Johnston stands out as a cheery, cheeky newsboy.

Treat of the night is the fine cameo by Ethel Schwartz, who looks for all the world like Phyl Skinner but, between you and me, is really there as a Salvation Army Lady.

Sandy McMenamin and Rowan Dennis provide excellent musical accompaniment with piano and percussion. The audience does its part with boos and hisses for the villain and cheers and sighs for the hero and heroine.

Lots of cheers, too, and certainly no boos or hisses for Gary Anderson, who took over directing this show when its former director was forced to withdraw due to health issues.

Costumes are terrific, thanks to Loriel Smart, Jude Hines and Barry Hill.

If I were handing out gold stars there’d be plenty. Instead I’ll give it a handful of red balloons (you’ll get the joke when you see the show).

Lesley Reed

Earlier coverage and more detail.