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REVIEWS
THE AGE (Cameron Woodhead)
"Magnormos is unique. The company is
devoted to promoting and performing Australian musicals. Since its
founding five years ago, it has had a big impact, bringing a host of new and
rarely seen works to the stage.
Its latest show is a slick, talented production of Nick Enright and David King's Mary Bryant. This musical ... has never been performed in Victoria, and it's a pleasure to see it done so well.
British director Peter Hall once claimed that the art of directing was 60% casting. Aaron Joyner has taken this to heart, assembling an all-star ensemble.
Joyner's production runs like clockwork. He deftly composes the stage. The use of movement is evocative and consistently occupies the eye. The set is inventive, and the musical accompaniment ... is expert.
The only real problem with the show is its lamentably short season."
ARTS HUB (Peter Wyllie Johnston)
"With Mary Bryant, which opened
at Theatreworks last night, Magnormos has created a rare opportunity to see one
of the finest local musicals yet written and confirmed Melbourne’s position at
the forefront of developments in the field of Australian musicals.
The production, directed by Aaron Joyner, is the most polished and dramatically
satisfying work yet mounted by Magnormos, with strong performances from the
entire cast, superb lighting by Lucy Birkinshaw and an impressive set designed
by Erin Keleher. Musical directors Sophie Thomas and Sue Goessling provides
strong support on two pianos, covering the gamut of emotions from lilting Irish
love song (‘Lovers’ Lane) to crashing waves on the high seas during a storm
(‘The Voyage’).
The Magnormos production of Mary Bryant is a major achievement for all concerned. Joyner has proved that this unique journey into Australian culture has rich rewards to offer its audience; rewards that could be seen much more widely if one of the State theatre companies could rise to the challenge as effectively as Magnormos has done with this production."
AUSTRALIAN STAGE ONLINE (Darryl Emmerson)
"The story of Mary Bryant has been told many times, but never better than in this accomplished musical, at last receiving its Victorian premiere.
... the story is, quite simply, a good one. Nick Enright’s shapely, straightforward script is sympathetically served by David King’s music, and the whole cast, under Aaron Joyner’s direction, give strong performances.
...It is a great pleasure to see a plot with real substance, to hear a skilled and varied score, to see in action the subtle, integrated complexities of successful musical theatre. Catch it while you can.'
