Scotch College

West Side Story wows capacity houses

The smash hit Scotch/PLC production of West Side Story shows what can be achieved when all the elements of a stage musical are successfully blended.

WORDS: MR STEPHEN RITCHIE – HEAD OF DRAMA

With great anticipation the Scotch/PLC Senior production of West Side Story opened to capacity audiences in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre on 30 July. Dramatically, the show is challenging as it loosely follows the story outline and themes in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. However, it poses additional challenges with its complex musical score and its highly stylised choreographic demands.

While there was a temptation to cut particularly difficult sections of dance or music score, the early decision not to do so is one that the company can be proud of. From the first rehearsal through until closing night, the cast engaged this challenge by rehearsing regularly for two-hour sessions each Friday evening and five-hour sessions each Sunday afternoon. Principals worked through cameo and smaller group scenes on Tuesdays as well.

The performances skilfully demonstrated the dramatic power that can be generated when all the elements of a stage musical are carefully brought together into one statement. The rhythmic tension created through Bernstein’s score is the perfect vehicle to support the modern tragedy that unfolds – this time in the back streets of Manhattan between the two adolescent and naive street gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. The costumes and sets evoked the 1950s with their intricate attention to period detail, colour and design. The poignancy of the events as they unfolded was given accent, mood and focus by the lighting, suggesting narrow alleyways, pokey tenements and under a city highway overpass.

Of course we must commend the stunning performances given by the cast – especially Jack Fowles and Emily Domingo as Tony and Maria. Something that the audience will remember, however, is the even depth of talent demonstrated by this wonderful cast. From principals right through to relatively minor roles, the quality of the acting and the singing was extraordinary by any measure.

West Side Story will be a show fondly remembered for some time. GS