Rewired: Musicals Reimagined by Hayes

Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, now seven years old, is a leader in innovative, small-scale musical theatre in Australia. But like many theatres, this little powerhouse has been out of action during the pandemic, its intimate space now a particular challenge. So, for its 2021 return, it’s transferred to a larger space — and is back with a bang.

For this concert, which largely draws musical fans, five performers rework some of the most popular shows. Hosted by Virginia Gay, who established herself as a top-tier talent in Calamity Jane, the performances include a rocked-up Les Misérables, The Sound of Music a la Mariah Carey and Oliver! with a latin and jazz twist.

The hilarious Trevor Ashley begins the show as one of his most famous characters, Liza Minnelli, sparkling and very much in form. He keeps returning in various guises - singing from Evita, Starlight Express and most remarkably Jesus Christ Superstar. As Shirley Bassey, Ashley sings an unlikely and wonderful rendition of “Gethsemane”, the pivotal song from Jesus. He brings a very different kind of drama to this number.

The other four stars are less flamboyant but bring their own energy to the performances. Emily Havea reprises her gender-bending Curly from Oklahoma!, bringing spunk and energy to the famous role of a 1943 cowboy (or is it cowgirl?). Her duet of “People Will Say We’re in Love” with Gay is brilliant.

We also have Ryan Gonzalez, famous for In the Heights, Jersey Boys and his cabaret Hispanic Attack, reinventing the music of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! - “Where is Love?” is particularly fun.

Then there’s Toby Francis’s full-on rock versions of the songs of Les Misérables. “I Dreamed a Dream” and “On My Own” are fun but it’s “The Confrontation” between Jean Valjean and Javert that really works. It helps to know the songs — and most of the audience here does. While they’re probably not fans of rock music, Francis overcomes any doubts with his impressive vocals.

Olivia Vasquez is probably less familiar to audiences but she certainly holds her own. A Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, her renditions of “My Favourite Things” and “The Sound of Music” are gorgeous.

It’s disappointing that Gay — possibly the most admired performer here — doesn’t sing more. She’s a great host but she deserves more than a duet.

And while many audience members probably prefer the original versions of these big musical numbers, there’s no doubt they enjoyed them reimagined in this way, at least for one night only. 

The Hayes is cautiously coming back on stage, with only a few productions announced so far. Let’s hope they are back to full strength soon. After all, their best shows often migrate to bigger stages around the country — and they’re not just winning over audiences but inspiring other theatres too.

Peter Gotting

Photographer:  Yaya Stempler

Read more Sydney Festival reviews