Thoroughly Modern Millie

Directed by Kathleen Cocks/ Musical Direction by Harry Oliff. Mercedes College Performing Arts Centre, Perth WA. July 30 - Aug 2, 2014

It is peak school production season in Perth. Many schools are using the first few weeks of Semester II because the coincide with the Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival, but many non-Catholic schools are also staging their productions at this time.

Mercedes College presented Thoroughly Modern Millie in their own performing arts centre, in a completely sold-out season. Beautifully staged and exquisitely costumed (set design was by Lyle Bell and costumes by Delora Whelan) this was a tightly managed production that used its huge cast to best advantage.

Year Nine student Francesca De Nuccio has the confidence and talent to fill the title role. She is very nicely supported by the treacle-voiced Madison Thomas as Miss Dorothy Brown and bright big-eyed and big-voiced Ciara Harrison as Muzzy. Georgia Mola gave depth to the oddball Miss Flannery and the plethora of sweet young things who live in the Hotel Priscilla were, without exception, delightful.

For the first time, Mercedes College has used young men in the cast of their production. University student Tyler Eldridge is the perfect 'boy next door type' as loveable Jimmy, while Aquinas College student Philip Lynch, found the comedy in Trevor Graydon - both delivering lovely vocal performances.

The trio of villains (of sorts) were great fun, with Sarah Cocks gloriously over-the-top as the deliciously nasty Mrs Meers and look-alike, sound-alike Rachael Coltrona and Alexandra Coltrona excellent as Ching Ho and Bun Foo.

In a cast of about sixty-five performers, you would anticipate that some chorus members would be coasting or not up to par, but the ensemble and minor characters are all focused, in the moment and know what they are doing.  Singing, under MD Harry Oliff and dancing, under Choreographers Dhana Pitman and Emily Hunt, are strong throughout.

The band, partially visible to left of stage, includes both students and professional musicians, and is strong and well managed, with sound balance very good.

When reviewing school productions, we usually make big allowances for youth and inexperience, but this is a solid production in its own right, thoughtfully directed, with a well-trained young cast bursting with talent and enthusiasm.

Kimberley Shaw