Millie

[jackjackjack]

I can't believe it's Friday and I haven't reviewed Millie yet. I guess I've been too busy singing the songs over and over in my head ever since.

I loved this show before I'd seen it. I loved Sutton Foster's performance of Forget About the Boy at the Tony's. I loved almost all the score on CD, and could just about conjure up (2nd Broadway Millie) Susan Egan playing the role in my head. It had a lot to live up to, and it didn't really have a problem.

For a score that mixes songs from the original movie with non-theatre songs into a new score, it is surprisinggly consistent, even going from one to the other mid song without a hitch. The dancing numbers are the ones that stand out, with "The Speed Test" (ripped off from G&S Ruddigore) being my probable favourite.

On the CD I never liked "Ah Sweet Mystery/I'm Falling in Love", but they staged it so cleverly that I'll now never forget it. Kudos.

The comedy works really well, especially with Nicki Wendt's perfect turn as Mrs Meers and Adam Murphy and Lucy Durack both being just delicious. If you're yet to see it, in the Chinese numbers, I reckon you're better off watching the hilarious mannerisms of Nicki, Rick Lau and Mitchell Winter than worrying about what the Surtitles at the top of the proscenium are saying. Especially since one of the songs is a reprise and the other is an old standard. Of course if you're close to the front you won't have a choice.

And Chloe Dallimore, what can you say?... No seriously, I have nothing to say, but in a good way. Its as much as I can get out to go "Look... see... It's... see what I mean."

Oh, and George Bush has struck, ever so briefly. He made Debra Byrne mix up her lines and say "It's never changing yet it's ever changed." Instead of "It's ever changing yet it's never changed."

I'd go again but I can't.

James

[Sally]

Best TPC show ever (to date, of the ones I have seen).

Totally must see again tomorrow. No question. Love these new Sunday matinees! Nicki Wendt made me weep.

[Talissa]

Definitely the funniest of the TPCs this year. Camelot's my favourite of the year still (Oklahoma probably overall) because it moved me, but this was just so silly it was wonderful, treating itself as the light-hearted piece it is.

Chloe Dallimore was a great Millie, holding well the role that was an excellent step away from Ulla.

Alongside her, Lucy Durack's Miss Dorothy was an utter nutcase, in the most adorable of ways.

As for Adam Murphy... it's Bill Calhoun, it's the Time Study man... It's Trevor Graydon! He's a versatile actor, and I've seen it proven time and again, but I also keep seeing him in roles with the most amusing similarities.

Another versatile actor, David Harris was smooth and strong as Jimmy, an excellent role for him, making me look forward to Miss Saigon even more.

However, talented as the leading four were, they were often in danger of being upstaged by Nicki Wendt, Mitchell Winter and Rick Lau, who were just hilarious.


And yes, I utterly adored The Speed Test, but then, I love the song it was stolen from, too.