musical theatre

“The Venetian Twins”

The Canberra Repertory Society,

Theatre 3, until July 7.

Reviewed by Bill Stephens

AN excellent choice for inclusion in Canberra’s Repertory’s 80th anniversary season, “The Venetian Twins” is an iconic, though rarely-performed, Australian musical, written by Nick Enright, with music by Terence Clarke, who was in the opening-night audience.

This larrikin knock-about comedy, concerning twin brothers and mistaken identity, is based on Goldoni’s “A Servant of Two Masters”. Its Elizabethan and Commedia del ‘Arte references, tongue-twisting songs and hectic pace, places considerable demands on its cast and requires style and flair to carry off successfully.

Dick Goldberg is sheer delight as the muddling servant Arlecchino and, together with Ian Croker, the scheming villain Pancrazio and Kate Tricks, a wonderfully buxom and cheeky Colombina, garners the bulk of the laughs. Josh Wiseman impresses in the demanding dual roles of Zanetto/Tonino, however his energy flags towards the end and he finishes looking rather more harried than happy.

Pamela Andrews sings beautifully as Beatrice, Bronte Forrester brings energy but little charm to her role as Rosina and Jennifer Watson is cast inexplicably as the Judge’s nephew, Lelio. Peter Brady and Nick Beecher round out a cast in which some are still struggling to capture the required style.

Tessa Bremner’s imaginative production with its colourful setting by Ian McDonald, delightfully chaotic costumes by Kate Levy and Jim McMullen’s fine orchestra, has much to commend it, but on opening night, inaccurate sound and lighting cues, sluggish pacing and carelessly executed staging prevented it from being the unqualified success it could become.