This is a beautifully presented production of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musicals set in the 1980’s.
It is much loved musical as it presents a young woman, unnamed, who has felt like her life was incomplete without a male partner. She travels from London to New York to make a new life for herself. She gets her Green Card but doesn’t manage to keep a relationship. She is accepting and, in a way, feels liberated. A film with a similar theme, around the same time (1978), is Paul Mazursky’s ‘An Unmarried Woman’ starring Jill Clayburgh.
The piece is a solo piece with other characters such as the mother (via letters) and friends (by telephone) being referenced.
Blazey Best directs what is clearly a passion project and has chosen her favourite actor Erin Clare to take on the part. Clare is brilliant in the role and runs a whole gamut of emotions and songs.
Clare is supported by a great band. They were on fire; celloist Julienne Guerbois, Laura Power on flute, alto flute, alto and tenor sax, Seb Bartels on electric and acoustic guitar, Andy Davies on drums and percussion, Benjamin Campbell on electric and acoustic bass.
Staging is excellent. Kelsey Lee’s atmospheric lighting design is outstanding and adds so much to the show.
The soundtrack is great still there is a favourite. The title song. One of the most poetic, beautiful break up songs ever written.
Five kisses.
A Michelle Guthrie production in association with Hayes Theatre Company, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black, opened at the Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Avenue Potts Point on Thursday 18 April 2024 and plays Tuesdays to Sundays.
Production photography John McRae