The Speechmaker

Hallelujah! After an erratic season and a half, MTC has on its hands a “World Premiere” smash hit production, which will undoubtedly travel to the UK and USA. The Speechmaker is 90 minutes of sheer entertainment geared perfectly for the core of both the MTC audience, and the new theatre-goer. It may not please some critics who are looking for something deep and meaningful (in what is essentially a satirical farce), but Cilauro, Gleisner and Sitch know their audience and have generously provided them with enough laughs to keep them warm through winter. They haven’t neglected to add political bite – but it’s a gentle nibble rather than tearing the throat out of politics.

President James Bickford (Erik Thomson) is on Air Force One with his entourage, about to make a surprise drop in visit to say Merry Christmas to the British PM (We are not told why and, frankly, we don’t care. It’s a device, but it works). The President is an affable puppet who finds himself suddenly forced to face a moral dilemma, when it is revealed that the PM is about to be assassinated by a covert cell of “Good Terrorists”. With more than a nod to Dr Strangelove, Fail Safe and The West Wing, Bickford must decide whether to tell the truth about “Itsus” or save his administration for the greater good of his country. It’s the moment of truth for an essentially good man – but is he brave enough?

The writers, whose greatest achievements have been in television and fantastically successful films like The Castle and The Dish, have used what they know of telling stories visually and, luckily, director Sam Strong (who has done a fabulous job) has come on board. So there are peripatetic sequences which look for all the world like steadicammed West Wing on the move direction; there are “jump cuts” to eliminate time and un-necessary exposition; there are even moments which build to what could be commercial breaks. Far from detracting, these elements make the play even more accessible to an audience that is used to its entertainment on the small screen. They also give a marvellous impression of us travelling, being in the air at 1,000 miles an hour. Some scenes are just two or three lines long, because that’s all they need to be. It’s an inspired approach.

The performances are of the highest order. There’s no doubt that, throughout the season, a high percentage of the audience will be fans of Erik Thomson’s, through the phenomenal success of Packed To The Rafters, making the pilgramage to see him on stage. They will be delighted. Thomson is superb as the President. His good looks and charm belie some fine acting as he is forced to wrestle with what is morally right but politically wrong…or is that politically right, but morally wrong? It’s a terrific beautifully rounded performance and he is backed by a stellar cast. Kat Stewart is as impressive as always as Mitch (the Senior Political Advisor with her own agenda), brittle and driven by self-interest. Lachy Hulme is powerful, adding physical stature and intellectual menace (along with considerable acting chops) to what could be the single-dimension “Strangelove” like character as the Under-Secretary of Defence. Nicholas Bell brings superb timing to White House Chief of Staff Bob, and his other roles; but really, we did not need the “in-joke” of Harry Shearer in the programme. That was sheer indulgence. Brent Hill yet again shows his versatilty as the delightful steward Chip, able to translate Bickford’s dessert stifled mumblings. David James gives a nicely rounded touch to Larry, the Secretary of Defence who believes everyone is expendable but him. Only Christopher Kirby, as the Marine Colonel, gave a nicely measured performance, but one more suited to the screen than the stage. Some of the audience had trouble hearing his dialogue. Sheridan Harbridge is perfect as Alex, the White House Press Secretary, always looking for a photo op, and Jane Harber has just the right degree of brittle ambition as Sam, the National Security Advisor. Toby Truslove as Ed, the Director of Special Events, is totally credible and authentically detached from human emotion. Wonderful casting and great performances in roles which could have been caricatures with lesser talent, and less inspired direction.

Dale Ferguson’s set is mindbogglingly good and serves the action perfectly. Never at any time does it feel static, and the revolve authentically suggests the motion of the plane. Little touches, like the projected exterior with its opening door, all add to the suspension of disbelief. Russell Goldsmith’s sound design, and original score, are added bonuses, as is Paul Jackson’s lighting; but the kudos must go to Sam Strong for pulling the elements together so perfectly. Even the over loud rock music before the show was a nice subtextual preparation for just how over-bearing “The World’s Greatest Superpower” can be.

I recall Brett Sheehy saying that MTC must encourage a new audience. This production will surely fulfil that brief. It won’t teach you anything, or change your mind about world politics, but it WILL entertain with excellence on all levels; and isn’t that what ultimately makes people go to the theatre?

Coral Drouyn

Image: Kat Stewart (Katie Mitchell, Senior Political Advisor), Sheridan Harbridge (Alex Wyatt, White House Press Secretary) and Erik Thomson (James Bickford, President of the United States). Photo © Jeff Busby.