Table for Six

Can you still do the splits when you are well into your 40s? If you are Chloe Dallimore the answer is yes I can. Just months after retiring as MEAA president, the long legged blonde sent out a message to the industry that if you still have got it…. flaunt it!  Not only was she effortlessly down to 180 degrees on the floor, but she lifted her peg up to an eye wateringly steep angle, and did an effortless somersault to boot.

It was one of the many highlights of the Riverside Theatre’s latest concert Table for Six. The western Sydney council run venue, under the leadership of Robert Love, has staged an impressive series of concerts during COVID-19 with high production values.

The theme for this concert was five female divas at dinner, sharing stories and songs from their career, accompanied by Lucy Bermingham on the piano. Appropriately, it commenced with a group song – “Ladies Who Lunch” by Stephen Sondheim. 

The first course saw the ladies reprise a song from their career. Geraldine Turner took us back to 1984 and her time as Nancy in Oliver!, with a powerful rendition of “As Long As He Needs Me”.  Georgina Hopson set the bar very high by belting out “Back to Before” from the musical Ragtime.  Madeleine Jones dazzled by playing the piano and singing “The Hill” from the musical Once. 

For the second course, the ladies chose a song from a musical which they would love to have been in. Olivia Vasquez selected “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, which she revealed was the first musical she saw in 2010.  This made Geraldine Turner’s jaw drop, at how impossibly young Olivia must be!

As a concept the format worked and it was excellent having the dynamic of a live (socially distanced) audience to give the concert atmosphere, missing in previous Riverside broadcasts. However sometimes the banter between the women was a little too casual. Also, the number of performers meant I felt a little hungry for a more in depth exploration of their careers.

Perhaps a Table for Four might be a better idea if the concept is to be revived – but making sure that that the menu always includes a mix of golden oldies and new talent.

David Spicer

Images: BAM Studios