RENT

There’s a lot of pressure associated with being the first company to stage a full-scale musical in a recently renovated venue.  Throw in a shorter-than-usual rehearsal period and a Wednesday night opening and a lot of groups might run in the opposite direction.  Luckily this wasn’t the case with Miranda Musical Theatre Company (formerly Miranda Musical Society), who opened their season of RENT on Wednesday night at the Pavilion Performing Arts Centre, Sutherland.

The scenery is appropriately industrial looking, with scaffolding, graffiti and dirty windows. The colours changing in the skyline to suggest different times of day or to reflect the mood of a particular song was simple but also perfect for the warehouse setting. The eclectic Christmas Tree is both artistically pleasing and tragic, as it highlights the ad-hoc way that the residents ‘make do’ the best they can, all in the name of survival.

Mark Cohen is brought to life by Sam Anderson, who has consistent vocals, stayed in character and is well cast as the sensitive film maker and narrator of the show. Roger Davis is portrayed by Tyler Hoggard who is taller, looks like a jaded rock star and can conveniently accompany himself on the guitar. The show is off to a strong start.

Haji Myrteza gives Tom Collins some real humanity coupled with very smooth vocals.  Barry Backhouse breathes life into the atypical Angel and his transformation from the enthusiastic transvestite to the deathly ill patient is shockingly powerful. Mimi is played by Natasha Tsafis and this girl gives a mighty performance that belies her diminutive size. She sings up a storm and her character arc covers everything from seduction and frivolity to genuine despair and calm serenity.

When Jess Hoggard enters we get the impression that Maureen is going to be a real firecracker.  She’s sassy and sexy and it’s hard to take your eyes off her. Rachel Amanda Thomas, in the role of Joanne, holds her own against this energy and the power struggle between them feels very even.  Thomas is quite the vocal powerhouse. Rounding out the principal cast is Daniel Simpson in the unpopular role of Benjamin Coffin III. 

The ensemble here is small and heavily recycled with some fast costume changes.  A particular stand out is Brooke Cherie, a very polished performer who noticeably shines at the beginning of Act Two and also in her cameos as Alexi Darling. Other notable performances came from Ethan Fuller, Nic Butler and Sasha Murray.  Fuller, one of the Musical Director’s three children, has a voice that’s very easy to listen to, coupled with the ability to transform into a creepy drug dealer at a moment’s notice. Butler is a very experienced performer who keeps the energy up in every chorus number and had the nous to find the light when she realised she was in a black spot for her second monologue.  Murray is a reliable contributor to several choral moments and delivers some feisty dialogue as well.

Director Garth Saville has assembled a strong cast, the orchestra is tight and punchy in the experienced hands of Danielle Fuller and the choreography of Mia Pimentel is suitably sexy without pulling focus from the serious aspects of the story.  The costumes are colourful and funky one minute and then drab and depressing the next.  This show takes you for quite an emotional ride.  As is often the case in community theatre, occasional vocals were overpowered by the orchestra however that balance may have been addressed in the meantime.

RENT will play at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre until Sunday 26^th.  Head along to check out the revamped space and support community theatre.  8.5 candles out of 10.

Fiona Kelly

Images: Grant Leslie Photography