Bloom

What a rare treasure – an Australian musical with a completely original score and story – which sold out at its first outing, and now has a second production.

Bloom – originally produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company – is the latest success from the team which produced the movie The Castle. 

Working Dog Productions carefully nurtured the musical - written by Tom Gleisner -through its development process, arriving fully formed as a charming, entertaining and thoughtful work.

The austere surroundings of the set of the Pine Grove Aged Care Centre are so realistic that it sent a shiver down my spine – having recently had the experience of managing a parent through the system.

It is not exactly a glamourous location for a musical comedy. However, a stunning transformation of the set (designed by Dann Barber) is breathtaking – both in respect to its cleverness and the juxtaposition of a clinical institution with a garden.

The story is about a shonky nursing home which advertises for university students to work at the aged care centre in return for free board.

Unqualified music student and occasional dope smoker Finn (Slone Sudiro) is the fish out water, who forms an unlikely friendship with the deliciously eccentric Rose (Evelyn Krape).

There is a mixed motley of other characters in the centre.  They include retired thespian Roland (John O’May), the motorised wheelchair thief Lesley (Maria Mercedes) and a silver fox retired tradie Doug (John Waters).

The villain of the home is supervisor Mrs MacIntyre (Christie Whelan Browne) who cuts corners with gay abandon.  Her swishing around the stage is hilarious.

The music from Katie Weston is tuneful and varied. It begins with a suitably grating jingle for the aged care facility and includes nods to various musical styles.  The showstopper is a radio city music hall conga line, which allows Christie Whelan Brown to sashay around her famous long legs.

Much hijinx abounds – with Finn transforming the residents into a sparkling (but unrealistic) choir, then a rebellion brews just as an inspector visits the home.

There are nine musicals on in Sydney at the moment – this is the only one written by Australians – if you make time for it, you won’t be disappointed.

David Spicer

Photographer: Daniel Boud