How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert. Pulteney Grammar School. The Futures Theatre, Paradise, SA. May 28-30
In their latest production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Pulteney Grammar School not only form a ‘Brotherhood of Man’ they have formed a brotherhood of young people and theatre!
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a 1967 satirical musical that follows the story of J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window washer who climbs the corporate ladder at the Worldwide Wicket Company using a self-help book and clever manipulation. The musical explores themes of ambition, corporate culture, and the absurdities of office politics as Finch navigates his way to the top, often with minimal effort and a lot of charm.
Director Jo Casson has involved more than 120 students to create a high energy production that leaves the audience cheering, clapping along and totally involved.
Her set design and realisation are simple yet so effective – wings with AV screens, two raised platforms and set pieces that are moved on and off stage with choreographic precision. (Richard Austin’s digital media design for the side pieces and the back of the set is spot on with 60’s colour and imagery).
Casson’s costume design is more than a nod to the 60s. The number of costumes in the production is amazing as is the use of colour and style. As a side note, I was impressed to see all the female cast members wearing tights to emulate the era.
There is a large amount of dialogue in this show, and with Casson’s direction, the cast handle it with ease and are always believable.
Rosanna Dobré’s choreography, is clever, quirky, and innovative. She choreographs to the cast ability while still setting challenges. It is well drilled, but more importantly, the cast clearly enjoy her work. I particularly liked Grand Old Ivy which was an audience favourite.
Jonathon Ivy’s musical direction is tight as is his orchestra of thirteen, made up of students, music tutors, and old scholars. His music fills the theatre without obscuring the lyrics, yet is full and rich in its own right.
And so, to the cast –
Patrick Longden is a triple threat as J. Pierrepont Finch. Longden has charisma, charm, and a cheeky personality that quickly endears him to the audience. His vocals in ‘Rosemary’ and ‘I Believe in You’ are a delight. At the conclusion of the performance, he was drenched with sweat, which is completely understandable as this is mammoth role, both in dialogue and song.
Nektaria Mavragelos is a symphony in pink as Rosemary, the ever-patient partner for Finch. She has a powerhouse voice, particularly in ‘Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm’ and ‘I Believe in You’. She is Finch’s rock while still having her own opinions.
Keira Wubbolts’ Hedy La Rue is Mr Biggley’s street smart ‘friend’ with attitude. Hedy is a complex character in that at first glance she appears to be the ‘dumb blond’ of the show. In fact, she is a manipulator who gets her own way in the end. Wubbolts captures this perfectly, taking the character to its limits.
Henry Green nails the character of J.B. Biggley in every way. He gives us a mature performance, clearly ruled by his wife while trying to run a business and have an affair at the same time. His rendition of ‘Grand Old Ivy’ with Finch is one of the highlights of the production.
Henry Tran’s Bud Frump is the character the audience love to hate with his “I will return” in act two. Tran has an innate sense of humour that pervades the production and gives a mean tap solo in ‘Yo Ho Ho!’. He gives a totally invested high energy performance.
Polly Schubert’s Smitty (the archetypal secretary) is sassy, practical and Rosemary’s confidante. Her character’s dry sense of humour and practicality keep the story moving. Her vocals in ‘Cinderella Darling’ with beautiful harmonies from the female ensemble are a highlight.
There are eleven minor principals that move the story along and are strong in their own right, with several of the performers playing two roles. They are – Billy Rowan (a superbly played Bratt), Michaela Lazarevic (Miss Krumholtz), Scarlett Lamb (Miss Jones), Dash Heffernan Lucic (Twimble/Womper), Lily Mackereth (the book), Alexander Smith (Gatch/Davis), Sebastian Gollan (Jenkins/Ovington), Isodora Tribe (Matthews/ TV Announcer), Madeleine Wehner (Tackaberry), Quinn Sage-Hoff (Peterson) and Ashton White (Toynbee).
The rest of the cast are made up of the Executive Secretaries, the dance troupe, and the ensemble who change costumes at the drop of a hat, and light up the stage with their production numbers, particularly ‘Paris Original’, ‘Yo Ho Ho!’ (including a brilliant tap number) and of course, ‘Brotherhood of Man’. Their energy is infectious as is their enjoyment.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a salute to the sixties beautifully reimagined by the creative team and cast. Pulteney Grammar School are to be congratulated for their dedication to the arts and development of theatre skills for young people!
Barry Hill
Photo credit: NachosFilms & Vini Paiva