In IT’S A WONDERFUL George Bailey is an ambitious young man whose intentions are clear. He is about to leave his home town and go on a world trip and visit all the countries he has only dreamed about. Then he will gets his university degree and start a brilliant career that will make his family proud.
As a sidenote, there’s a John Cleese joke that goes, ‘how do you make God laugh. Tell him that you are making plans’. In George’s case, God has a big, hearty laugh.
All George’s plans fly out the window when his father suddenly dies of a heart attack and he has to stay at home and take care of the family business, the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan firm. George deals with the disappointment and take on his role with passion. He ardently believes in the company’s objective which is to give poorer people in the community the finance to enable them to buy their own home. Things go awry on Christmas Eve, 1945 when his friend misplaces $8000, a lot of money at the time, which he was supposed to deposit in the company’s bank account. This throws his company’s life in to jeopardy. George gets drunk at a local bar and then goes to a nearby bridge with the intention of jumping. Guardian angel Clarence intervenes.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is about many things. Most of all it is about never giving up, that each of us is intricately connected, with family and friends, and that we all make important contributions and would be terribly missed.
Papademetriou’s staging was easy to follow and the set was basic and functional, keeping the focus on the performances, a wise choice for and independent theatre company who simply do not have the budget for any technical wizardry.
My favourite portrayals were by Alex Bryant-Smith who was really in the zone with his portrayal of George Bailey, Alison Chambers as the horrible Henrietta Potter, Madeleine Withington as Mary and Nicholas Papademetriou as guardian angel Clarence O. Bodinski. Apart from Alex Bryant-Smith in the lead all the other actors played multiple roles, with each giving very generous performances.
The show played the Greek Theatre inside the Addison Road community centre. It is a potentially good venue with an ample stage area and seating provided on both sides of the stage, as well as the front. The foyer area is ample, with framed glass posters of some of the Greek theatre productions that have taken place over the years.
It is a shame that this venue is not used more often, whereas the Flight Path Theatre in the same Addison Road Community Centre is used all the time.
There are a few issues with the venue that need to be overcome. The seating badly needs replacement. As well, the toilet facilities are located behind the stage. What if someone needs to go to the loo during the performance?!
It would be great if Marrickville Local Council would step in and put some money in to refurbishing the theatre, in a similar vein to the way Waverley Council has spent money refurbishing the Bondi Pavilion Theatre.
I digress. Summing up, this was a good production of a classic story, a story that remains number one on the American Film institute’s list of the most inspirational American films of all time.
The Joining The Dots Theatre Company production of Thornton Wilder’s stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic movie IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is playing the Greek Theatre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville until the 15th July 2023.
Creative Team : Director – Nicholas Papademetriou, Lighting Designer – Jasmin Borsovsky, Sound Designer – Alex Lee-Rekers, Production Manager – Ruby Jenkins
Cast : Luca Baretta, Alex Bryant Smith, Alison Chambers,Ally Laybutt, Chris Miller, Elaine Morel, Nicholas Paranamos, Maddy Withington, Nicholas Papademetriou
https://joiningthedotstheatre.com.au/current-productions/its-a-wonderful-life/