Book Of mormon finally arrives in Sydney – I Believe..Baptise Me
There is a strange pressure heading in to review Book Of Mormon. Everyone has heard of it, everyone knows it is a smashing success in every country it has been to. The program has a quote on the back from John Stewart in big bold letters – “So Good It Makes Me Angry” and the quote “On Of the Funniest Musicals Ever” is all over the place. The pressure is two fold: What if i don’t like the show? and if i do, what can be written that has not already been said. The first dilemma evaporated by “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” and was a distant memory by “Hasa Diga Eebowai“. So now its is time to deal with the second half of the dilemma.
You can see in this production the South Park and Avenue Q comic genius of Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone but what really jumps out is just how tight this show is. Underneath the silly, naughty production is a sleek and carefully crafted one that takes the piss while delivering a very unexpected message. Do not get me wrong, I will not be recommending this show to my parents. They will be offended and not find much of it very funny. I will, however be insisting that nearly everyone else I know spend the money on a ticket. To be fair, I don’t have many friends who have not seen it, are not planning to see it or don’t want to see it. This show comes with its own, unique publicity machine – everyone that walks out the theatre doors.
A pair of Mormons get signed to a Ugandan village to share their faith. One is disillusioned with his abandonment in this poor country, the other is just thrilled to having a friend to share the experience. What neither are prepared for is a people who are far more interested in dealing with AIDS, poverty and warlords than celebrating the reception of their fantastical story. There is a lot of humour drawn out of this naive membership drive but it is the skewering of the Mormon’s origin story and then the clever twist towards the end that make this show far more the a silly send-up. Like an Agnostic recommending religion the production initially sends up the fantastical Mormon story and then tells us, it really does not matter what you believe or what you preach, as long as it helps improve people’s lives.
Picking a standout song is tricky. “You And Me (But Mostly Me)” sets the comic tone of the rest of the show. “Hasa Diga Eebowai” then starts to push the boundaries of our sense of humour which matures into “Making Things Up”, I Believe” and “Baptise Me”. All of which set up the craziness of “Joseph Smith American Moses”.
Ryan Bondy‘s, Elder Price is perfectly idealistic, spoilt and self serving. A.J. Holmes‘ gives the goofy offsider, Elder Cunningham a wonderfully complex set of anxieties balanced with a delightful warmth. It is these two characters that drive the show and these actors are oozing with experience having performed these roles in many productions. A.J. Holmes has portrayed Arnold Cunningham in every company of Book Of Mormon thus far – and it shows. Zahra Newman‘s (Nabulungi) is more than capable of matching it with these two. Her work befits her Best New Talent award at the 2017 AACTAs. Newman balances naivety, trust with strength and wisdom – not an easy task. She has a wonderful voice to match.
Bert Labonté (Mafala) and Rowan Witt (Elder McKinley) provide strong support as well. This is underpinned by a support cast and ensemble that have superb commitment, great voices and deliver Casey Nicholaw‘s choreography with precision. Set Design (Scott Pask), Costume Design (Ann Roth), Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt) and Sound Design (Brian Ronan) all combine to ensure the entire production looks, sounds and feels perfect.
Ensuring the music is delivered with the same perfect execution is David Young (Musical Director & Conductor) and the orchestra (Daniel Puckey, Chris Wright, Davcid Stratton, Jamie Castrisos, Simon Sweeney, Justin Kearin, Mark Taylor and Michelle O’Young).
Book Of Mormon is everything its reputation sets up, and the long list of the accolades promise. It is hilarious, unpredictable, naughty and nice.
Lynden Jones – Theatre Now & On The Town
Book Of Morman
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone
11 March – 2 Sept 2018
Wed – Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Tue 7pm, Sun 1pm & 6:30pm
Friday 16th March at 7:30pm
Saturday 17th March at 7:30pm
Tuesday 20th March at 7.30pm
Wednesday 21st March at 2.15pm and 7.30pm
Thursday 22nd March at 6.30pm
Friday 23rd March at 7:30pm
Saturday 24th March at 2.15pm and 7.30pm
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Theatre Company: The Book of Mormon is produced in Australia by Anne Garefino, Scott Rudin, Important Musicals and John Frost.
Duration: 2 Hours 20 (with 20 minute interval)
