Dusty (Tues Jan 10th)

[Sally]

Just a real quickie to say OMG WOW FABULOUS STUNNED SPEECHLESS. Do I need to mention how brilliant Tamsin was? That goes without saying. But oh my goodness - Alexis Fishman as young Mary O'Brien is quite beyond words. She was perfectly in character and has such an incredible voice! And Kaye Tuckerman, I actually didn't recognise her until interval when the programme jogged my memory ;D But she was perfect as well.

I thought it was wonderful having Tamsin and Alexis share the stage as Dusty and Mary, sort of like talking to oneself - the idea worked really well. And the relationship between Dusty and Reno was portrayed very nicely, although there were one or two instances where I was left wanting a tiny bit more, just to even out the flow.

The show's still in previews so I don't want to say anything else because who knows how much - or how little - or if *anything* - will be changed by Thursday. But as it stands, it was truly wonderful, and well worth the wait I look forward to seeing again, a few more times The finale was also terrific fun, and there were SO many costumes and wigs, it was crazy ;D And Mitchell Butel? Craziness incarnate!

[jackjackjack]

I saw Dusty in previews and it now seems like forever ago. I've been without the internet at home and have been able to only glance in very quickly. Just a few things to add in review sense.

I thought the idea of having Mary there talking to Dusty was Gold, and I even think it could have been used more. The times that Mary was absent were also the times I felt it was a little disjointed.

I loved the wig scene, but I have to agree with crabby herald-sun lady (no capitalisation deserved) about the Shirley Temple bit. I hate to recycle review comments I've used before, but I felt like I'd come back to the wrong show after intermission, and I hadn't even left.

The Shirley Temple song and the Dustman song are both better versions than the originals, (both of which I have on CD, yes, I'm ashamed,) but neither really belongs in the show. And the various Australian jokes.... Please!!!

Performances were uniformly excellent, with Mitchell absolutely knocking me dead. I noticed Tamsin's accent waver once or twice, but hey, waddaya expect.

Overall I enjoyed myself, but it made me hunger all the more for a score musical. What can I say, I need fiction. I'm shallow.

Maybe someone (female) can explain to me Mary's overwhelming need to be blonde. I don't get it. Is it something we've grown out of, or is it still there?

James

[Talissa]

I could be wrong on either or both of these points, but here goes.

Firsty, I interpreted the parts where Mary was absent for the longest periods to be the times when Dusty was furthest from what she'd set out to be and who she really was. It was when she reappeared that Dusty was willing to make changes.

Secondly, for the blondeness, look at the girl's idols. All blonde. I think there was possibly a stronger imagined connection between blondeness and beauty than there is now.

[Sally]

admin said:

Secondly, for the blondeness, look at the girl's idols. All blonde. I think there was possibly a stronger imagined connection between blondeness and beauty than there is now.

Yes, all the posters in her room...I can't remember now exactly who was there but take your pick from Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, Carole Lombard, Lana Turner and of course Betty Grable...platinum blonde was the way to go.