Thoroughly Modern Millie

Sheer energy and enthusiasm make every moment count in MLOC’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The talented cast makes something special out of what could hardly be called one of the great musicals. Nevertheless, for pure enjoyment, this is well worth a visit.

The story of a girl from the country who hits the city planning to marry a rich man is cliched and overworked, but the 1920’s setting does allow for some syncopated rhythms and eccentric dance styles from the era. Add to this the sub-plot of a criminal posing as a Chinese landlady, and actually running a white slave trafficking operation and there’s plenty of room for humour, including the parodies on Gilbert and Sullivan tunes and ‘Mammy’ sung in Chinese,….with subtitles! Then there is the mistaken identity subplot and…well you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Amy Gridley is an excellent Millie, with the right mixture of brittle determination and soft romanticism. She’s also a seasoned dancer and singer. James Robertson as her love interest Jimmy Smith, is charming and appealing and Mandie Lee is a delightful Dorothy Brown.

MLOC has two great assets in Trish Carr, a performer guaranteed to impress everyone in her Mrs Meers Chinese get-up, and she really knows how to sell a song. Carly Daley (Muzzy Van Hossmere), is heavily pregnant with her first child, but this didn’t stop her owning the stage at every opportunity, and adding large doses of professional expertise in her musical number. Ash Cooper impresses as Trevor Craydon, and the role itself hides the fact that he is a little stiff onstage (even without dying), and Mary Bryant (Miss Flannery) and the Priscilla Girls strike just the right notes with characterisation.

But the real stars of the show are the fabulous Ju-Han Soon (Ching Ho), who is charming and comicly endearing and one heck of a dancer, and William Kim (Bun Foo), who is making an astounding debut. His Chinese rendition of ‘Mammy’ has to be seen to be believed, and the two of them provide great comic moments between them. There’s also a terrific sight gag at the very end of the show…but I won’t spoil it for you.

Lyn Laister has done a lovely job with the direction and Rhylee Nowell has tapped into authentic 1920s choreography with great style, though not all her dancers are equally talented. Musical Director Stacey-Louise Camilleri, after a slightly ragged start, really whipped the orchestra into a great syncopated ragtime performance in the second act. The costumes, set and lighting all work a treat. MLOC is not the flashiest or most ambitious of the many community Musical Theatre groups in Melbourne, but they have the ability to make each production a joyful event; and that in itself is infectious.

Coral Drouyn

Images (from top): Millie Dillmount (Amy Gridley) and Jimmy Smith (James Robertson); Muzzy van Hossmere (Carly Daley); Sinister Mrs Meers (Trish Carr) with Ching Ho (Ju Han Soon) left, and Bun Foo (Will Kim); Miss Dorothy Brown (Mandie Lee) with Mr Trevor Graydon (Ash Cooper) &  Millie (Amy Gridley) centre, with from left, Ruth (Jess Riley), Alice (Emma Chitre), Dorothy (Mandie Lee) and Gloria (Helen Giannakis).

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