The Matchmaker

The Matchmaker, as presented by Murray Music and Drama Club, is good, clean old-fashioned entertainment. Performed cabaret style, where you can bring your own snacks, it was clear that the audience at the matinee I attended, were having a ball. Thoughtfully and skilfully directed by debut director Rp van der Westhuizen, this was a great looking production that was performed well.

Originally designed to be performed on complex and well decorated sets, the backgrounds are achieved with clever projection designs by Blake Jenkins, that gradually emerge from a blank screen and help to bridge the scene changes. 

The costumes, co-ordinated by Tammy Peckover are true to the period and simply gorgeous, with the three costumes worn by Dolly Levi absolute works of art. It should be remembered though (as practically pointed out in the dialogue) that a gentleman would always remove his hat indoors.

The title role, Mrs Dolly Levi, is played with great panache by Karen Godfrey, in a stellar performance that endears her to the audience. Unlikely leading man curmudgeonly and miserly Horace Vandergelder is played with a lovely edge - likeable despite his faults, by Vaughn Lowe.

Alan Gill and Steven Jones create a lovely bromance as Horace’s clerks Cornelius and Barnaby - a beautifully bumbling pair who set off in search of adventure - one of this year’s most dynamic duos. Lori Anders is lovely as milliner Irene Molloy, nicely supported by Tess Withnell as her employee Minnie Fay.

In smaller roles Thomas Pestrucci nicely portrays Ambrose Kemper, suitor to Ermengarde, Horace’s neice - sweetly portrayed by Abby Jennings, Rowan Creelman has fun as Malachi Stack, while Christine Treg is cutely comic as confused Flora Van Huysen, with Carole Dhu convincingly playing two very different characters. The cast is well completed by Allen Isaac, Joel Gal, and Drake Gordon.

While the show is pure fun, the approach has been serious, with top notch production values and intelligent performances - expertly directed by this first-time director. Well worth a look.

Kimberley Shaw