Happy to talk about this great show
May 20 2009 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal
South Pacific, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, until Saturday
JUDGING by the raucous reception that greeted the final number and curtain call for Martyn Knight's production of this enduring Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, the cast are in for a memorable week.
It might have been regarded by some as a safe option following last year’s imaginative choice of the Witches of Eastwick, but the West End Operatic Society's decision to back the tried and trusted for one year was justified by a brilliant opening night.
The story of South Pacific, which highlights attitudes to race within the US military during World War Two, was not only ahead of its time for a musical written in the 1940s, but still has relevance today.
Set on a fictitious island, it deals with the acceptance of inter-racial relationships and highlights differences in Western and Polynesian cultures.
It's a musical that stands or falls by the performances of its five principals, and just minutes into the opening scene it's clear that the parts of US army nurse Nellie Forbush (Francesca Rose-Troup) and plantation owner Emile de Becque (Michael Green) were perfectly cast.
The comedy parts of Luther Billis (Noel Harris), a Sergeant Bilko-type rogue, and South Pacific islander Bloody Mary (Linda Short) were also spot on, with Linda's Happy Talk earning a huge cheer.
Nigel Douch played the straight hero-type role of Lieutenant Joseph Cable with sensitivity and control. Francesca and Michael have some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most celebrated numbers to perform, such as Some Enchanted Evening, Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Cockeyed Optimist and This Nearly Was Mine.
No easy task, as familiarity brings with it such a high expectancy level. The fact that they and the superb orchestra conducted by Graham West nailed all of them on the opening night bodes well for the rest of the week.
Next year, it's back to the more edgy side of musical theatre , when the West End put on Jerry Herman's Cage Aux Folles. If they can take with them the energy on display at the Theatre Royal this week then we'll all be in for a treat.
Iain Williams
