Playwright David Williamson’s standing ovation at last Friday’s opening night of Noosa Arts Theatre’s production of The Boy from Oz paralleled what everyone else in the audience felt about the performance – it was truly outstanding.
Directed by Ian Mackellar and scripted by Nick Enright, The Boy from Oz presents the life of Peter Allen rather like one of the singer-songwriter’s shows. It’s fast-paced, packed with song and dance, littered with loud shirts, and regularly addresses the audience directly.
The musical tells the dazzling, funny and moving story of the life of the legendary entertainer from humble beginnings in the 1950s, growing up in Tenterfield NSW, to his catapulting rise to fame.
He survived family tragedy to become a teenage TV star in the duo, The Allen Brothers. Discovered by Judy Garland, he married her daughter Liza Minnelli and went on to achieve international stardom.
The fluidity and precision with which the show moves through Allen’s story and across the stage is seamless.
Sam Henderson is fabulous as Allen with his strong voice, slick dance skills and the confident charm of a showman. He commands the stage, which he is rarely off, as he shares the highs and lows of Allen’s life through stories, song and dance – switching from the tenderness required for Tenterfield Saddler one minute, to turning up the mood for I Go to Rio the next.
Nicole Kaminski’s sensational choreography is faultless and delivered with great vigour and passion by the incredibly talented cast – Ariah Aiello, Ava Crozier and Tess Robertson as the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes wowing the audience.
Oriana Packman and AJ Wildey absolutely nail their roles as Judy Garland and Liza Minelli, respectively, and do so with considerable impact.
Robyn Moore is perfect in the role of Allen’s mother Marion Woolnough and her show-stopping performance of Don’t Cry Out Loud was stunning.
Aaron Sinclair is equally credible as Allen’s lover of 15 years Greg Connell, as is Ryan Carr as the other Allen brother.
Saxon Mitchell (one of the three boys who will play young Peter throughout the season) gave the performance of a seasoned veteran as he plays an 11-year-old Allen singing in country pubs.
David Hill’s versatile set design served the work at every turn, Travis Macfarlane’s lighting of it was spot on and the sound work of Jack Scandrett and Anthony Wade-Cooper was just perfect.
The sewing team must have worked their fingers to the bone with the sheer volume of wonderful costumes but it was worth their efforts in bringing the showmanship and pizzazz to life, and reinforcing the era in which Peter Allen lived.
The Boy from Oz will be performed at Noosa Arts Theatre until 19 November. Don’t miss it.
