Review: Camp, Comic, Sugary Fluff, XANADU THE MUSICAL Is A Retro Feel-Good Night Of Nostalgia.

Tuesday 17th May 2016, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

Douglas Carter Beane's(Book) Award Winning (Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) and Outstanding New Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards)) stage adaptation of XANADU THE MUSICAL comes alive at Hayes in a bright, shiny explosion of high camp color. Based on the 1980's movie, the story of artist Sonny Malone's encounter with the Greek Muses is given a refreshed storyline as the residents of Mount Olympus come down to Venice Beach California to help him create the XANADU Roller Disco.

Director and Choreographer Nathan M. Wright and Leah Howard (Associate Director and Choreographer), have combined 1980's kitsch; including pastels, tube socks, leg warmers and ribbon dancing; with modern technology and stage magic to create an hilarious, tongue in cheek comedy. Beane's revised story still has Kira (Jaime Hadwen) and her sister Muses come out of a mural to inspire young artist Sonny Malone (Ainsley Melham) but he has added a twist in the form of sisters Melpomene (Jayde Westaby) and Calliope (Francine Cain) and a new explanation for Clio/Kira's (Jaime Hadwen) accent. Beane has also strengthened the story's relationship to Ancient Greek mythology, attributing the characteristics of the Muses to 7 of the 9 'sisters' portrayed (the other two are referenced as band members) and explaining the importance of Clio's leg warmers.

Set designer Nathan Weyers has transformed the Hayes Theatre with a pseudo Ancient Grecian Temple façade that initially serves as a shelter for the mural Sonny is creating on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Whilst a trompe-l'oeil of sky flanks the sides of the set, this space, complete with circular paving, also serves as various settings with minimal changes. Simon Johnson's lighting and Martin Sharpe's animations help change the scenes, drawing on the audience imagination to fill in the gaps. Weyers has also allowed for a surprising variety of focus points and entry and exit points adding to the magic of the show.

The neutral limestone set is a perfect backdrop for James Browne's colorful costumes. Young artist Sonny spends the show in tight striped t-shirt, denim shorty shorts and sweatband, linking him to his aspiration for an arty but 'athletic' venue. The muses are presented with a contemporary interpretation of Grecian robes. The masculine 'sister' Muses Terpsichore (James Maxfield) and Thalia (Dion Bilios) wear corseted gladiatorial strapping and winged converse sneakers while the more feminine sisters, Erato (Kat Hoyos), Euterpe (Catty Hamilton), Melpomene (Jayde Westaby), Calliope (Francine Cain), and Clio (Jaime Hadwen) are layered with satin bustiers, corsets and swathes of chiffon. Each Muse has a distinct look, individual color and hair and makeup that look like something drawn out of a Disney movie.

In keeping with the cheesy mocking of the movie, Jaime Hadwen presents a gentle South California accent as Clio and an exaggerated American imitation of an Australian accent as Kira. The Sister Muses and Sonny have adopted what sounds more like New York Borough accents than a SoCal sound which also fits with the ham acting that they are sending up, in keeping with Beane's desire that XANADU THE MUSICAL take itself less seriously than its inspiration. The vocals are strong and clear, ensuring that the lyrics of Jeff Lynne and John Farrar's music are understood whilst having an exaggerated American sound. Whilst Beane has altered the plot, he has still retained the recognizable ELO (Jeff Lynne) and John Farrar's songs from the movie. Musical director Andrew Bevis has also created new orchestrations for the show.

Howard and Wright have devised fabulous, camp choreography to express the Muses as a group and also show their individuality. They have also worked out hilarious ways to continue the theme of wheels throughout the show. Actions are naturally overdone and some contemporary stylings have been blending in with the musical theatre pastiche.

Jaime Hadwen as Clio/Kira is sweet and bright eyed as the leader of the muses that gets tempted to do more than just guide Sonny. Ainsley Melham gives Sonny an eagerness and dejection as the artist that has a vision but also thinks that he's defeated. Jayde Westaby as eldest Sister Muse, Melpomene is deliciously sinister as she plots how to regain what she believes is her rightful spot as leader of the Muses and Francine Cain, as Calliope, presents the somewhat dim-witted sister and Melpomene's sidekick with wonderful comic timing and physicality. Josh Quong Tart, as property developer, and former recipient of Clio's inspiration, Danny Maguire, gives the money hungry mogul a heart as he realises his past mistakes.

The ensemble of James Maxfield, Kat Hoyos, Dion Bilios and Catty Hamilton, who take on the roles of the other Sister Muses along with Sirens, singers, gods and Mythical creatures, have a wonderful energy and inject individuality and personality to their characters. Bilios also features as a young Danny with a fun tap dance as Danny reminisces on the days he wanted to open up a club with a 1940's swing trio. Hoyos and Hamilton give Goddesses Hera and Thetis a regal air whilst Cain plays up Aphrodite's cheeky forwardness.

To draw a quote from the text, XANADU THE MUSICAL is very much "children's theatre for 40 year old gay people" (and anyone that appreciates a lot of sparkle, chiffon and rollerskates) in its campiness and its references. Whilst there are references that younger audiences may not follow, they aren't pivotal, and it may just mean that they sit there while the generations that were around in the 80's are roaring with laughter. XANADU THE MUSICAL is a fun filled night of retro sugary sweetness for all ages.

XANADU THE MUSICAL

Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

12 May - 12 June 2016

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