The Sydney theatre scene is often struggling whether it be mainstream, independent or community theatre.
It is of-course great news when one hears that a company has acquired a new performance space.
Courtesy of Lane Cove Council, Lane Cove Theatre Company, now in its 30th year, has acquired a brand spanking new theatre, part of the new Lane Cove community hub.
I went on Saturday night to see LTC’s first production in its new home. The touching 2004 Broadway musical IF THEN (2014) , book by Brian Yardley and music by Tom Kitt, is a good choice for the company’s inaugural play at their warm, intimate new venue. (As an interesting side-note, the team of Yardley and Kitte, earlier in time, back in 2008, premiered their more well known work, Next to Normal.
As well as the usual amenities, the new venue had an appealing verandah, balcony space where patrons could schmooze before and during interval.
The theatre space itself was a warm, compact intimate performance space with seating around the 100 mark. It was well suited to its current revival of the popular Broadway musical IF /THEN (2014), put together by the same team who earlier came up with their perhaps better known piece, NEXT TO NORMAL (2008)
The premise to the IF/THEN (2014), music by Tom Kitt with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Is a sort of Sliding Doors scenario, except rather than arthouse cinema, this is sassy musical theatre!
38-year-old divorcee Elizabeth moves back to her hometown of New York City to start her life anew. Her kindergarten teacher friend Kate suggests she adopt the nickname Liz and attend a concert, while her activist friend Lucas suggests she return to her college nickname of Beth and join him at a rally. The play follows Elizabeth’s two different trajectories from this starting point,
ourney of its main character. Elizabeth, a late thirties divorcee, who has returned to her home town of New York City to start her life anew.
The play is a vivid portrayal of Elizabeth in her two incarnations; Liz and Beth. Daisy Cousens is excellent in the juicy central role. Starting life over in her late thirties Is full of challenges for her both in her romantic and work lives. Liz/Beth tackles them with zest.
Trent Gardner gives a very fine performance as Lucas, who Elizabeth has a confusing relationship with.
Lindford Gilmour is fine a performance as Stephen. Liz/Beth’s work contact who tries to secure her with a good job as a town player, seeing that she has training in it.
Isaac Downey is good as appealing soldier, Josh. Belinda Korner plays Liz’s high spirited kindergarten friend, Kate, Jacqui Greenfield plays her very affectionate girlfriend, Anne. In the full hearted spirited of the play, IF/THEN includes two gay marriage celebrations; one male and one female couple.
Talented performers Genevieve Skye, Luke Derrick, Mike Kullkov, Natalie Hughes, Amy Fowler, Zach Godsmark and Euan Howells in various roles complete the cast.
IF/THEN is well directed by Lochie Beh with Stephen Dula as Music Director. A very smooth band comprised off just four players – Stephen Dua on keys, Bonita Cynthia Silva on violin, Dom Parker on bass, and Tom McCracken on drums – support the cast in bringing out the best in Tom Kitt’s pleasant, narrative driven soundtrack
The work of the technical/design team comprising Jeremy Cardew, Byron Bowley, Nate Hill, Michael Dalton and Mira Mira Pararajasingham enhanced and heightened the experience.
This was a fun, feel good show. IF/THEN is playing Lane Cove Theatre Company’s great new permanent venue, the Pottery Lane Performance Space within the Lane Cove Community Hub, lower ground floor, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove until the 30th March 2025.
Production photography is by Jim Crew and Robert Scheverien
