Bleak Expectations

Bleak Expectations makes its WA premiere with this production by Wanneroo Repertory. A recent release, it had its West End debut just last year and is described as “A Dickensian Romp with a Dash of Monty Python”.

The programme for this production is a delight (albeit very expensive at $7 for 8 pages) filled with little quips and faux advertisements that set the tone for the play. 

The set, built by a team of "set busters” reduces the size of the Limelight stage to create a cosy room within the large home of the Bin family. This set serves for multiple locales including boarding school, graveyards, a church, streets and a court. It is nicely lit from a design by Peter Giles (who also appears in the show), although the follow-spot appeared a little sluggish.  The sound design, by Reynaldo Baauer, was both complex and clever and included some great musical choices running into the show. Costumes were of the period and co-ordinated by Julie Clark, Joan Braskic and the "Tuesday Ladies".

Bleak Expectations is the spoof life story of self-made man Sir Philip Bin, who narrates the show in the style of the Chairman of a Music Hall. Gordon Park, dressed with flair, plays this older Phillip. The central role is Sir Philip’s younger self played by Jack Riches in a highly energetic, “working his butt off” performance.

This cast were all working hard and are kept busy slipping into multiple roles throughout. Peter Giles plays Pip’s father and a few other father figures in Pip’s life such as aptly named convict Bakewell Havertwitch and the kind but misguided Broadly Fecund, making each distinct. Shayla Brown, making a welcome return to theatre after a long absence, plays Pip’s very together mother then nicely portrays her descent into insanity, as well as another brief but important role.

Pip’s sisters Pippa and Poppy are played with dedication by Natalie Wiles and Mary Del Casale, with Mary also playing sweet spinster and "almost sister” Ripley Fecund. 

Gareth Bishop relishes his role as the villainous and ironically named Mr Benevolent, while Tomas Kinsella is nicely cast as the poorly named Mr Parsimonious and sweet as best mate Harry Biscuit. Jason Pearce nicely portrays a series of look-alike siblings. Madeline McAllan completes the cast, helpfully providing ‘a hand’.

 The audience were clearly enjoying the show, but despite the cast working extremely hard, I don’t feel this show works as well as it should. Originally a BBC radio series. It may have worked more effectively in that format. 

Getting good audiences, it will appeal to those who like their theatre offbeat, and for fans of Dickens.

Kimberley Shaw