Second Coming

Second Coming has taken Swan Hill by storm.  It is a great little show and word has it that the last three performances were fully booked out.  It’s a passionate and truly entertaining production that is full of puns, laughs and chuckles that reference our Australian Culture.   Created by a strong multi-talented team of theatre makers, many of whom double up in performing as well as creative roles, this show really packs a punch.

It is loud, brash, lively and riddled with some of the best Aussie songs from the 70s and 80s, sung by a troupe of fabulous energetic actors with stunning singing voices.  All-in-all it is a kind of play/musical full of nostalgia, fun romance, some pretty funny jokes and kitsch references.  But it has its more serious side; looking at the underbelly of the music ‘fame industry’ as it highlights the dangers of living imbalanced lives that rely heavily on drugs and alcohol as self-medication.  Yeah there is a moral to the story, but the story is key to the moral.  Thankfully it is not overtly didactic but, writer Andrew R Kelly, makes a strong and pertinent point whilst not alienating his audience by preaching or pointing fingers.

It is the story of a Rock and Roller, Jim Rowan (Paul Fergus Morris), being brought back to life after his suicide.  This miracle happens by virtue of a gambling pact with The Devil, played by Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis.  Adam (The Devil) offers Rowan another go at the life he has ****up.   There is some cheating involved.

Proceedings open with a coffin on stage, the music is loud and the atmosphere in the auditorium relaxing and welcoming.  Lucifer is garish and overpowering and of course ‘God is a woman!’

Rowan is taken back to his early career as a muso. His memory of all he did is intact so he won’t make the same mistakes.  Therefore he also remembers many of the Australian Music Classics that were released as he grew older.  Knowing songs that are destined to top the charts, he releases them as his own with his small band composed of himself, his sister and best mate (and possibly a drummer and keyboard player). Naturally they become rich and famous.  This cheeky, not completely reconcilable aspect of the story line - just sort of slips the audience by.  We all happily suspend our disbelief in the joy of listening to some golden oldies such as “Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again”, “Streets Of Your Town”, “Glad All Over’, “Before Too Long” and the list just goes on and on.

Generally the direction by Paul Fergus Morris and Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis is great - but a little rough around the edges - which is surely part of its charm.  This makes for the relaxed and comfortable evening that audiences are ‘just loving’.  It is accessible, not pretending to be too clever.  I did find the sound levels a little inconsistent at times.  It is loud, very loud, but that adds to the fun.  And it is well suited to a small comfortable venue – just perfect for the Memorial Hall in Swan Hill.

Every one of the team of actors is exemplary and they all maintain a wicked elevated energy that infectiously carries the audience on a high, from go to woe.

As Jim Rowan, Paul Fergus Morris really fits the bill. He has natural good looks and heaps of style, can sing and has charisma enough to light up the stage.

Chloe Bruer-Jones plays his sister, Jessy Rowan.  She is a delight to behold and she brings much levity to the scenes she is in.  Her violin playing enhances and adds rich texture to the musical items.

The devil character is Adam, played by one of the directors Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis.  Adam packs a punch as actor/singer.  It is hard to take one’s eyes off him when he is prowling the stage and such fun to watch him tap dance – more could perhaps be made of this.

Then there is Spud, the laconic boy-next-door type played to a T by Alex Cooper.  

As usual Kevin Hopkins finds just the right depth and balance in his characterization - this time as Jim and Jessy’s pun wielding Dad.  Heartwarmingly his character finds love in middle age with the stylish Frangipani, played with innate sophistication by Natalie Bond.

Adam T Perkins plays Shifty, an ambitious and dedicated music producer.  Perkins illustrates the driven side of the music industry by bringing just the right amount of drive and determination to this character.  But sadly this true to life character walks a little too close to the wire and tips into obsessive.

As Preacher and Doctor, Ripley Smith is impressive, however he really excels in the role of Musical Director.  Smith smoothly combines the recorded sound with the live sound to great effect.

This show should definitely tour halls around the state and even the country as high octane Aussie mayhem with a message.  And this message is embedded in a way that communicates subtlety and is unlikely to cause unnecessary anguish or distress.  But it has the potential to open up the conversation.

Some of my favorite lines:  Too much froth and not enough coffee, too much rice and not enough sweet and sour pork – both warning against insincerity and superficiality.

This bonza show has plenty of coffee and more then enough sweet and sour pork.  

Solid, great fun, funny and very entertaining!

Suzanne Sandow

Credits:

Directors: Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis and Paul Fergus Morris

Producers: Andrew R Kelly and Sarah B Kelly

Musical Director: Ripley Smith

Sound Engineering: Callum McNab

Lighting Design: Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis and Paul Fergus Morris

Cast:

Jim Rowan – Paul Fergus Morris

Spud – Alex Cooper

Dad – Kevin Hopkins

Frangipani –Natalie Bond

Jessy Rowan – Chloe Bruer-Jones

Adam – Andrew “Hondo” Hondromatidis

Preacher/Doctor – Ripley Smith

Shifty – Adam T Perkins