Little Women

Little Women
By Allan Knee, Mindi Dickstein and Jason Howland. Roleystone Theatre (WA). Director: Paul Treasure.. November 25 - December 10, 2011.

One of the most difficult parts of presenting characters from well-known novels is that you are competing with images well ingrained in generations of readers’ heads. In Little Women you are also following many previous incarnations from numerous movies and the Broadway production. Kimberley Diane Harris created a Jo that was worthy to stand alongside Katherine Hepburn, June Allyson, Susan Dey and Winona Ryder. Plucky and forthright, she sang beautifully and lit up the stage at every appearance.

Also lovely was Emma Davis as Meg; ladylike and sweet with a voice to match, she was a delight to watch. Cassie Skinner delivered an admirable performance as Beth - beautifully acted and sung – but was to my mind to robust and healthy to play Beth. Liza-Mari Schwindt in her first major role was stronger as the older Amy- and wore her French fashion well.

Lindsay McNab was a kind Marmee while real life partner Alan O’Neil positively shone as Professor Bhaer. Owen Measday captured Laurie’s boyishness while Tom Hutton was an earnest John Brooke. Rounding out the cast Kim Martin was a firm Mr Laurence while Bree Hartley created vastly different characters as stern Aunt March and flighty Mrs Kirk.

Costume designer Priscilla Cornelius understood the period and characters beautifully while (Peter) Pear and Stephen Carr’s set told much of the story. Wonderful to see this musical finally premiere in WA.

Kimberley Shaw

Images (from top) Cassie Skinner, Kimberley Diane Harris and Lindsay McNab; Lindsay McNab, Emma Davis, Kimberley Diane Harris and Cassie Skinner; Cassie Skinner, Kimberley Diane Harris, Liza-Mari Schwindt and Emma Davis & Cassie Skinner, Emma Davis, Liza-Mari Schwindt, Kimberley Diane Harris and Owen Measday.

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