BWW Reviews: BEYOND DESIRE, a fantastic musical mystery making it's world premiere at Hayes Theatre is a must see.

Wednesday 25th November 2014, 7:30pm, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point, NSW

English Writer/Director Neil Rutherford's latest production, BEYOND DESIRE, is a wonderful piece of musical theatre that draws the audience into a well-crafted Edwardian era murder mystery. Rutherford joins with Kieran Drury (composer) to create a wonderful story with many twists and turns to keep the audience engaged as secrets are revealed. It is a treat that this new work is making its premiere at the intimate space of Hayes Theatre in Sydney.

The cast of 8 wonderful performers brings Rutherford's work to life and combined with Luther Forinder's set, draw the audience into the world of the upper class in England in 1911. A green sheer, gold fringed curtain helps make efficient use of the small space, allowing transformation between a beach in Sorrento Italy to the rooms of Dovedale Manor where most of the story takes place. The dark wood fireplace with large overmantel frame, desk and window frame, chest of drawers and door way, complemented by a luxurious lounge and arm chair give the impression of wealth and grandeur without overpowering the space. These components have been cleverly utilised to smoothly create other rooms and locations.

The costuming, sourced from Opera Australia, helps set out the era and the varying social levels from maid Emily's plainer work dress to housekeeper Mrs Milson's more ornate black working dress and lady of the house, Louise's late Edwardian day dress and her flashier sleeker evening dresses reminiscent of art nouveau statuettes.

Whilst Blake Bowden's Anthony Pemberton is the central character, all 8 performers are strong both with their singing voices and their overall performances and ensure that none of Rutherford's lyrics are lost. Bowden shows a beautiful balance of emotions and restraint as he moves from a relaxed college graduate and his vocals are a treat, moving from gentle caring ballads to fiery anger whilst still being clear and precise.

Anthony's friend James (Ross Hannaford) serves as support for Anthony following Edward (Phillip Lowe), Anthony's father's death. Hannaford's portrayal of James' friendship and support for Anthony whilst struggling with inner conflict deals with the question of who you should love without being overbearing or preachy and is handled with sensitivity. Phillip Lowe's Edward provides an endearing father figure that watches over his son with Nicholas Rayment's lighting design assists in letting the audience know who is physically present and who is not.

Anthony's mother, Louise is presented as the not exactly grieving widow by Chloe Dallimore, determined to maintain the poise required of a lady of her Louise's station. Dallimore gives Louise the "stiff upper lip" with precise posh accent and the requisite style and grace of a lady of the manor. George (Tony Cogin), Edward's business partner and Louise's new husband is portrayed with a power and dominance of a man that has just inherited a company and moved in on his friend's wife.

Nancye Hayes's portrayal of the housekeeper and cook Mrs Milson is delightful. As with the other servants, Mrs Milson has a rougher lower class accent expected from those below stairs and Hayes gives Mrs Milson a wonderful voice filled with the wisdom of age complemented by amusing physical expressions and an precise portrayal of senior staff. The maid, Emily is beautifully portrayed by Christy Sullivan who gives the role a lovely lightness and hopeful longing. The manservant, Syd (David Bulters) rounds out the hired help and provides a contrast to the above stairs young gentlemen.

The music is both fresh whilst echoing the classical music of the era with the 6 piece chamber orchestra visible behind the set. The lyrics are clever and allow the story to be told as exchanges as well as direct narration to the audience with tones and styles matching well to the characters delivering them. All 8 performers have powerful singing roles and each meet the challenge with the necessary connection to the music and draw the audience in by not "singing to the exits" but making eye contact with audience when making direct deliveries. Occasionally the sound levels on the orchestra are set a little high, overpowering the vocals and balances were adjusted to ensure that levels between singers in ensemble pieces were more consistent.

Through the murder mystery that unfolds, Rutherford allows a variety of issues to be explored without becoming too aggressive or overbearing about getting the sensitive subjects across but never the less, exploring death, jealousy, hate, forbidden love, sexuality, love triangles, blackmail and secrets and lies whilst filling the piece with humorous dialogue, lyrics and physical comedy.

Do not miss BEYOND DESIRE. It is a must see for anyone who appreciates a great piece of well written and expertly delivered theatre. It has something for everyone, a wonderful score, multilayered mystery, love stories, humour and emotional twists.

BEYOND DESIRE

Hayes Theatre,

19 Greenknowe Street

Potts Point NSW

21st November - 14th December 2014.

Photos: Oliver Toth

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