South Pacific

Last year’s sold-out production of South Pacific returns to Sydney for 58 new performances, filling fast. And the $20 program tells you that the John Frost/Opera Australia combo will be staging The King and I in 2014. ‘Subscribe now and book before it goes on sale to the general public’ is the handout advice. Nobody can fill the Opera House like Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Many have praised this production, directed by Bartlett Sher and based on his 2008 Broadway production which ran for over 2000 performances and won seven Tony awards, and the returning musical’s opening night audience was mightily, thunderously enthusiastic. But niggles remain.

The 1949 show is, let’s face it, showing its age. For all that Sher has rescued dialogue cut from the original production because it was thought too problematic on the subject of interracial marriages and mixed-race children, Hammerstein’s pussy-footing on the theme is definitely uncomfortable; as is his yucky subplot where Bloody Mary eagerly sells off her mute child-daughter Liat to the virile Yankee lieutenant.

There are some slow patches in the three-hour show, especially in the second half where a whole other adventure story happens offstage.

There’s nothing special about this production’s plain setting and old-fashioned lighting plot, not a patch on what we’ve come to expect on big touring John Frost musicals.

Some cast replacements disappoint. Christine Anu, replacing Kate Ceberano, sings well but makes a lightweight Bloody Mary. Gyton Grantley, described in the publicity as a ‘popular TV personality’ is the new Luther Billis, replacing Eddie Perfect. His stage inexperience shows. However handsome, opera-trained Blake Bowden as the new Lieutenant Cable has a tremendous tenor presence.  

The two stars remain – Teddy Tahu Rhodes, impossibly tall and thrillingly basso as Emile, and Lisa McCune, still fresh and hungry for new experiences as Nellie. Lucky her, she gets to sing two of the greatest, feistiest songs ever written for a musical — ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair’ and ‘I’m in Love with A Wonderful Guy’ — both in the one scene!

Yes, what rescues South Pacific, and what modern audiences clearly can’t get enough of, are the glorious songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Frank Hatherley 

Image: Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Emile de Becque and Lisa McCune as Nellie Forbush. Photo by Jeff Busby.

Reviews of previous seasons - Sydney / Melbourne and Brisbane.