We’re always wary about giving a show a ‘perfect‘ review, especially as we do things slightly different here and very much take into account the audience reaction, which we always get at the end of a production. Based on what we saw on the stage of the Wales Millennium Centre last night, and how the crowd reacted, we have to say that SOUTH PACIFIC is about as near perfect an event as you’re likely to see anywhere.
We say event, because that’s how the show felt at times.
You’d think there was nowhere to go with this classic musical, with songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein, but the Chichester Theatre production is powerful, mind-blowing, thoughtful and despite the fact it’s 73 years since the show first premiered on Broadway, it feels more relevant today than its ever been.
Before you ask, the movie is a youngster at only 64 years old (1958).
I want to launch straight into the audience reaction to last night’s performance, of which there is a lot. You’ll notice a bit of theme running through their comments. Think male cast members and the shower scene, and I think we’ll leave it there for now (thanks ladies and gents)……
For those of you who may not have seen the show or film, this powerful love story is set on a South Pacific island during the Second World War. A unit of US Navy Seabees await news of the invading Japanese. As a romance builds between French expat, with a bit of a back story, Emile de Becque (JULIAN OVENDEN) and US nurse/entertainer Ensign Nellie Forbush (GINA BECK), the troops, who are growing increasingly bored, look for excitement with the islanders led by Bloody Mary (JOANNA AMPIL).
The show is packed with smouldering passion, none more so than that between newly arrived Lt Joseph Cable (ROB HOUCHEN) and young islander Liat (SERA MAEHARA), honestly it’s a real emotions filled fest on that island.
What you will love about the show is that no matter how many years have passed since you watched the movie, when the orchestra strike up another song you will smile from ear to ear as you recognise another classic, and believe me, South Pacific is filled with some of the very best from the pens of R&H.
I want to pay special credit to the incredible orchestra, all 16 of them. As we’ve said many times before, the Donald Gordon theatre is a big auditorium and it takes something special to fill it well, the South Pacific orchestra do that, and some. JON LAIRD is the Musical Director with new orchestrations by DAVID CULLEN. The energy, drama and romance they deliver is absolutely joyful.
When we get to the big ensemble numbers like ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair‘ (bet you’re singing that in your head now), the delivery from both company and orchestra is second to none. I was looking around the auditorium during the number and that smile I mentioned was firmly plastered across everyone’s face.
Same goes for ‘Happy Talk‘, although I have to admit being of the era who remembers the Captain Sensible hit single, which wasn’t a patch on the real thing in last night’s show.
These songs are fun and will have you smiling and singing along under your breath, but don’t for one minute think the show is all smiles and fun. It delves into the huge racism issue during the forties. In fact, South Pacific won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950.
Back in the day, its racial theme provoked controversy, for which its authors were unapologetic. The book on which the show is based was undoubtedly way ahead of its time, as indeed was the show when it first took to the stage.
This new take on the story retains all the elements of the original production and brought it right up to date with a high-energy staging which captures those darker themes and lighter moments with incredible skill.
Which brings us to the cast, fronted by Julian and Gina who are terrific leads. They carry the story through with incredible stage presence and superb voices. But be in no doubt, this is a company of players, and there are 30 in total, who all add to the fabric of this production. I’ve got to add that Joanna has some show-stealing moments as Bloody Mary.
There’s DAVID BIRRELL (Capt. George Brackett) and STEPHEN JOHN DAVIS (Cmdr. William Harbison) who turn in some fine performances. DOUGGIE MCMEEKIN was much loved, and very funny, as Luther Bills.
But this is a show where all parts come together to creates an incredible spectacle and sound on the stage.
The sets too are great with movement all around, from the back and sides. The revolving stage works really well, and when we got to our feet at the end for the well deserved standing ovation, you realise just how enormous the whole thing is. It’s all really slick and smart and keeps the pace of the show moving along.
The water is flowing to help wash that man out of your hair, in a scene which is filled with fun and colour. The tears are also flowing however in the heartbreaking ‘This Nearly Was Mine‘. We could definitely hear a sniffle or two, as you could see in our audience review piece above.
I haven’t seen South Pacific for more years than I care to remember but would head back to the WMC to watch it again tomorrow. This production is absolutely first class with a superb cast and orchestra, a story filled with heart and soul, and more memorable songs than we can mention. In fact we have – go to the bottom of the page where we’ve added a full song list for you to see.
Gone are the days when we would expect to travel to London to see a production of this scale on stage. We’ve got it right here in Wales and we should celebrate that fact by going along to enjoy this, and all other shows that follow.
It’s been a really tough time for all stage productions, and continues to be so. SOUTH PACIFIC is a perfect reminder as to why we should get off to our local theatres and support productions of this calibre. It is fun, uplifting, and three hours of perfect escapism from this fractured world of ours.
Actually, it lasts much longer than that because we’ll be chatting about this for a long time to come with family and friends.
South Pacific is at the Wales Millennium Centre all week till Saturday 15th with 7:30pm performances each evening. There’s a 2:30pm matinee today, tomorrow and Saturday. With tickets starting at £18:50 I would urge you to grab one while this incredible show is in town. No matter where you sit in the theatre will guarantee you an experience like no other.
For more details, and to get tickets, go HERE.
- Overture
- Dites-Moi
- A Cockeyed Optimist
- Twin Soliloquies
- Some Enchanted Evening
Dites-Moi (Reprise)
- Bloody Mary
- There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame
- Bali Ha’i
- My Girl Back Home
- I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
- A Wonderful Guy
- Bali Ha’i (Reprise)
- Younger Than Springtime
Finale Act 1
Dance
- Happy Talk
- Honey Bun
- You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught
- This Nearly Was Mine
Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise)
Finale Ultimo
