Review by Kate Gaul
MTC is the latest company to give Miles Franklin’s novel “My Brilliant Career” a makeover – this time as a musical. We all know the story of Sybylla Melvyn - a woman growing up in 1890s Australia. Options are limited but her talent and drive as a storyteller are in abundance. Forced to choose between romance and her own genius, her family and a future she defines, she’s decided she’s having it all. The musical is a super accessible genre for those hard-to-attract to youngsters to mainstage theatre and for curious theatre goers who may be wondering whether we really need yet another version of this story. What can it have to reveal to us in 2024?
This is a rollicking production. The original team: book and lyrics by Dean Bryant, music by Mathew Frank, are blessed with the feisty, original, gold-plated-thigh-slapping comic genius of writer Sheridan Harbridge who joined the team as book writer on this production. Directed with elegance and elan by Ann-Louise Sarks with choreography by Amy Campbell, this version of “My Brilliant Career” has a top-notch team.
The music stakes a claim from the opening number – soaring pub rock style delivered with chutzpah by the phenomenal Kala Gare as Sybylla. Fusing everything from folksy bush tunes, pop, rock and anything in between this musical melange is led by powerhouse musical director Victoria Falconer and delivered by a multi-talented cast who play all the instruments and characters across the 2 hours of the show. The songs are a bit hit and miss, often repetitive leaving he second half, in particular, running on empty. This Sybylla doesn’t benefit from a strong character arc and the second half scenes were overly long and we all know where it ends.
The staging, the performances and design are its strengths. Marg Horwell’s work shines as both set and costume designer. She takes a unique twist on the ninetieth century dress styles, runs all through a twenty-first century wringer and created a visual delight that keeps on giving. The poetic dry grass covered stage conjures the vast emptiness of drought stricken Australian grazing lands and a feral playground on which to bring Sybylla Melvyn and her twenty first century attitudes to life.
The cast is also a production highlight. Kala Gare, as mentioned, is beyond incredible and worth the price of a ticket alone. Actor Musicians include Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward (who is hilarious as suiter Frank and plays a mean cello), Lincoln Elliot (playing multiple roles and impressing as always with his musical prowess), Raj Labade (hot guitarist and ultimate love interest), Drew Livingston (delightfully playing fathers, and uncles) , HaNy Lee (luminous as Gertie, Sybylla’s sister and suprising as socialite Blanche), Ana Mitsikas (gorgeous and witty as Grannie amongst other roles), Christina O'Neill (outstanding as both mother and Aunt Helen – she definitely needs another song) and Jarrad Payne (percussion and ensemble).
It's a rare thing to encounter a solid, ambitious Australian musical and hats off to MTC for developing the project over the last five years. “My Brilliant Career” is on its way and hopefully will have time following this outing to refine and shine. Examination of the work of white feminists and fellow travellers active at the time of Federation have risen in prominence in Australian culture. Adaptation into new forms helps highlight the stories, struggles, and (possibly) the complexity surrounding figures such as Miles Franklin. Is it beyond the scope of a musical adaptation of a palatable popular novel to explore feminist pioneers and their politics? For me, this “My Brilliant Career” needs a little more grit in the oyster to create a pearl.
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