BWW Reviews: TURNER'S TURN - A Musical Review Of Geraldine Turner's 40Years On Stage

Sunday 8 March 2015, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point NSW

Geraldine Turner returns to the Sydney Cabaret Stage after a 10+ year hiatus with an insight into the musicals that made up her 40 years on stage in her latest show TURNER'S TURN. .

Commencing with a voice over of dialogue between Gypsy and Mama Rose from GYPSY, all presented by Turner, from off stage, Turner emerges with Rose's Turn, a bold start playing on the title of the show and allowing her to lead into her experience being slated to perform the work three times but never making it to stage. This sets the tone for the following 80 minutes which is a blend of backstage experiences, name dropping, including the odd snipe, and music from the range of shows in her resume.

Many of the works are presented were written for a bold "belt" but when transposed to Turner's low register and most songs chosen seem to have a persistent pleading tone, either inbuilt in the work, or prescribed and therefore reduced the light and shade to the works. Her sound is vaguely reminiscent of Patti LuPone, but without LuPone's depth and color. Her interpretation of Jacques Brel's Ne Me Quitte Pas was one of the better numbers as it demonstrated a gentle longing as she dipped into speaking the breathy low phrases and her version of Brel's Carousel was clear ensuring that the lyrics were understood even as the pace increased.

As the works were selected based on Turner's relationship to the musicals from which they are drawn, they are performed more in the context of the original musicals rather than having a personal connection to the lyrics. With this premise, it would have been nice if Send in the Clowns was presented to express more of Desiree's emotions and the complex work. She utilizes the BLOOD BROTHERS set, the current musical running at Hayes Theatre, but this ends up proving distracting as she leans on walls and caresses door knobs and the positioning of her seat in front of pianist Brad Miller.

Whilst the current season of TURNER'S TURN has closed, the response from Turner's faithful fans, many that cheered in recognition when she mentioned the shows she has been involved in, indicates that she can sell out shows again if she chooses to restage the work.

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