REVIEW: The Forge's BACKSTAGE Scores at The Court

And so we have it, the final scripted performance for The Forge in 2009. Backstage is the performance which puts actors on a stage and lets the be as big, brash, bolshy and over the top as they possibly can be and what a treat it is.

Backstage is a World Premiere for The Forge which has struck a wonderful relationship with the writer Roy Smiles after producing Ying Tong- A walk with the Goons and Year of the Rat, a previous world premiere. BACKSTAGE is set in 1939 and follows the antics of the Leibmans: a husband and wife vaudeville act that has been touring the US with son Danny and daughter Ruth in tow for twenty years along with their Dresser Maria, it is a show that gives you what stereotypes we think actors are, and while being somewhat true in aspects gives them a good grilling in the process.

BACKSTAGE is a hit on so many levels. In an earlier media release Ross Gumbley described the cast as a "dream team of comic actors" The performances that were turned on for opening night were outstanding, every single cast member was perfect and not one fault was to be seen, you can't help but agree with him. Rima Te Wiata is the finest I have ever seen her in recent years, it is clear that she is loving the role of Hanna. The lightening paced comic timing, her facial and physical presence match those of someone half her age. Add to that the intelligent and hilarious portrayal of Herb, Paul Barrett is just as quick and lightening paced, quite frankly the show is already destined to be outstanding. Daniel Bain, Laura Hill and Georgia-Kate Heard as the supporting characters turn in just as equally perfect performances as the prior two. However there is one performance that stands out even more (if that is possible) for me and that is of Judie Douglas as the poor dresser. The performance she turns on is so grounded and mature that the quieter moments that she has onstage alone are pure theatrical wonderment and of course are a welcomed relief from the farcical world of everyone else, this is of course not to say that she doesn't keep up with the rest when it is flying at break-neck speed, she does, giving them all a run for their money on the quick pacing.

I have always felt that with any theatre (unless it is a Musical or something gorgeously elaborate) that if you don't notIce The set and the props as one of the first things then the practitioners have done their job. Harold Moot and Helen Beswick as Set and Properties designers have created a world which echoes 1939 New York in every aspect. Every little detail right down to the hand made telephone which is never used on the stage actually works for the purpose it has been designed for it was were real. Along with costuming by Annie Graham which looked like an absolute blast due to the colours, textures and styles that had to be represented and not only has Ross Gumbley got a dream team of actors but potentially a dream team of designers.

Final kudos are to go to Ross Gumbley, it must be so hard to please theatre audiences these days in a world of ever changing tastes and the constant pressure to bow to just putting on comedies and musicals. The direction, the concept and the whole package are superbly brought together by his masterful mind and direction. If you haven't liked something of his in the past, forget it! This show proves that he knows what audiences love, what they want and more importantly that you can be clever and not bow to the lowest of low. Even the joke about a Banjo inserted into someone is done with taste and you can't help but laugh. He is surely heading towards the top of his game with this show.

A world premiere is a coup for any theatre to get, this show however is one that The Forge should be gloating about. Every person who has come in contact with that production should be glowing and be feeling proud. The audience were simply buzzing on opening night and kept up with the quick pace of the production, laughs came thick and fast and if the ol' word-of-mouth wagon does the trick, get in fast to book your tickets!

BACKSTAGE opened in The Forge on October 30 and runs through November 28 at The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Blvd, The Arts Centre, Christchurch.  Performance times are 6:30pm on Mondays & Thursdays; and 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are Adults $30, Seniors $25, and Students $20. Groups of 10+ are eligible for discount tickets at $20 each, with members of the 30U Club eligible for $12 Mondays-Wedesdays.

For tickets, call 963 0870 or visit www.courttheatre.org.nz