THEATRE ROYAL NOTTINGHAM – UNTIL SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 2022
Reviewed by Amy Coulson
5*****
I’ve never seen the film. I know! I feel guilty even writing that. Maybe that means I shouldn’t be writing this…however, if it helps, after being invited to watch The Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, I’ve discovered a new favourite!
Set on an island during WW2, this love story has it all, including depictions of racism and international relations. I wasn’t expecting that, but then I didn’t know Oscar Hammerstein was an anti-racism campaigner.
A charming leading lady or ‘hic’, Nurse Nellie Forbush (Gina Beck) falls for a handsome leading man Emile de Becque (Julian Ovenden). She embarrassingly sings “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy” and then when she finds out he has mixed-race children, does a runner! She comes to her senses of course, and leaves her racist views behind her, phew!
Julian Ovenden as Emile de Becque had the crowd swooning for his French accent, bravery, and glorious vocals.
The love story, or rather one night together that leads to a lot of “I love you” moments, reminds me of growing up watching films and thinking that’s how it happens. You meet someone and you fall in love with one another in that instant and that’s that. It all feels a bit silly now I’m in my late thirties, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the ridiculousness of it!
The sets are as beautiful as you’d imagine the island to be. Pink blossoms cascade over balconies, gorgeous soft lighting (Howard Harrison) captures the mood perfectly, and you’re transported there.
Luther Billis (Douggie McMeekin) provides a lot of the laughs as the crafty Seabee who is desperate to visit a neighbouring island to help fuel his entrepreneurial ways. He’s often accompanied on stage by an ensemble of military chums and fun ensues.
My favourite moment was led by Douggie McMeekin as Luther Billis. An awesome testosterone fuelled chorus of American military dreaming of an island full of girls is both old fashioned and yet wildly amusing. “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” was a disarmingly fun number.
Equally, “I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair” is great fun, led by Nurse Nellie Forbush (Gina Beck) the swimsuits looked to be original and their pops of colour across the stage complimented the light-hearted take on what I assume was a feminist stance. All the costumes (design by Peter McKintosh) were fabulous.
Worth mentioning the choreography and movement direction from Ann Yee. The cast made great use of the revolving stage and tall sets. The stage felt full of action and adventure, a real showstopper!