Encore review: Players and Singers spend a night in Paris

The following is the author’s personal opinion, and is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.

An enjoyable evening was had by the full house on opening night of this cabaret-style show which has been pulled together by first-time director Jayne Rossiter.

Loosely combining around a French/Parisian theme, songs have been chosen for their connection to Paris at various times in history and it’s a lovely concept.

Included were favourites from musicals such as An American in Paris, Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast; French classics including Edith Piaf’s timeless Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien and Yves Montand’s Les Feuilles Mortes; and even a nod to our Baz’s version of Moulin Rouge to round out the night.

For me, one of the standout performances came in the shape of Hamish Plummer opening act two as the emcee from Cabaret; he clearly loved this song and lit up the stage like a fireball.

Equally as exciting is Louise McCullough, not only performing as Sally Bowles in the rollicking Mein Herr, but also showing her wicked, comedic turn in Master of the House from Les Mis and again in the all-female Hey, Big Spender in act three.

McCullough clearly knows her way around a stage and has an astonishing stage presence.

There were plenty of honorary mentions too.

Breigh Angove’s performance of The Man I Love was magical.

Peri Strathearn’s turn in the frighteningly gold suit to start everything off, and his off-stage French-accented introduction, really helped set the scene.

Brendan Watts had a lot to do and did all of it well.

Voila, performed by Lorelle Barton and Emma Love, had a truly ethereal quality about it.

The audience really came alive when they knew the words with plenty singing along, especially noticeable when a version of Burning Down the House appeared out of nowhere as part of the Moulin Rouge finale.

As sometimes happens on an opening night, the production experienced a number of technical issues which did dampen the atmosphere.

Emory Chilvers clearly has a lovely singing voice – luckily, we heard her later – but her version of Ratatouille had no sound until the final couple of bars.

Oddly, the projection at the back of the performance was off and on throughout,  making me wonder if that was meant to happen.

There were one or two numbers in which the band could have been tighter on this evening, and if the kick drum is mic-ed up, it would be better taken off – it was so loud at times it threatened to drown out the singing.

My final criticism has to be directed at the lengthy silences between songs.

Surely someone in the band could have been tasked with tinkling something while sets were being moved about?

This would have enabled the musicians to gain a bit of the spotlight, especially as the band is on stage throughout, just at the back and in the dark.

They weren’t even introduced at the end, something Strathearn and his gold suit could have been brought on to do.

It led to a general lack of cohesion, which was commented on by audience members around me, until act three when it all came together in several rousing, all-cast numbers from Les Mis and Moulin Rouge.

Gold stars to Sam Pope and her team of costume makers – wow.

To Ray Rossiter and his team of prop makers and set designers: fantastic effort.

To the dance captains and all the folks responsible for choreography: there was so much going on and it really worked.

Finally, to the Murray Bridge Players and Singers, thank you for keeping the spirit of community theatre alive.

The evening was a joy and a testament to the extraordinary volunteer effort put in by everyone on and off stage.

Seeing all ages, shapes and sizes up in lights warmed the cockles of my heart.

I really hope you program more of these kinds of shows as it’s so much fun to watch, and I imagine perform in, and gives everyone an opportunity to shine.

They do need more men, though.

If you’re a bloke with an eye on singing or performing, get involved – it could be your time to shine.

Encore will conclude its run at Murray Bridge Performing Arts and Function Centre this weekend.

• Performances: 7pm Friday and 2pm and 7pm Saturday.
• Tickets: $45, as individual seats or tables of 2-6, at www.trybooking.com.

Disclosure: The author attended as a guest of Murray Bridge Players and Singers. Also, as mentioned, her manager at Murray Bridge News is in the show, but she was very nice about it, wasn’t she?

Clarification: This review has been amended slightly since its original publication.