SHOUT! The Legend of The Wild One
Shout! is one of a handful of Australian musicals that local societies dare to stage. Despite being one of the most loved Australian home-grown musicals, it’s a shame it’s only seen every 15 years or so, as it’s a piece of theatre about one of Australia’s most iconic early rockers, giving audiences a snapshot of earlier days of the Australian entertainment industry.
Co-directors Leigh Collins and Ash Moody have pulled together a strong team of Gosford Musical Society’s longest-serving collaborators to bring this latest version on stage.
While the script itself is in serious need of an overhaul, GMS has overcome the jarring nature of many Australian bio-musicals to produce a real gem of a show.
Rachel Diver, as Johnny’s first wife Marianne, gives a nuanced performance while not being scared to let it rip when the music calls for it. She is well matched by Hannah Kelly as Johnny’s second wife, Maureen.
Likewise, Adam Montgomery, in his second turn in the role of Lee Gordon, captures the essence of the underbelly of the 50s–70s entertainment “big-wigs” brilliantly.
Chris King and Kylie Preston bring warmth and charm as Johnny’s parents, Thelma and Ray. King directed the production when GMS produced it in 2006, so it’s a real treat to see him on stage in this production.
A highlight is The Delltones: Jamie Mckenzie, Sam Luxford, Daniel Craig, and Jarrod Francis. They’re certified scene stealers. A special mention must be made of Kyle Wallbank in his handful of cameo roles, as well as Fergus Paterson.
Finally and most importantly, Cody Swansbra oozes the charisma of Johnny from start to finish. He embodies J’OK’s wild child persona and gives a strong performance in an incredibly difficult role for any performer.
Nicole Seggie and Jess Williams’s choreography delivers a great deal of the show’s soul; the finale is particularly spectacular.
Mark Williams’ on-and-off stage band provides a driving force for the show, giving the audience the exact sound of the era’s music that they know and love.
Leigh and Moody’s team have done an excellent job of keeping the design and staging period-appropriate without feeling dated.
This review was based on the final preview, and I have no doubt any timing issues will tighten up over the course of the run.
Shout! will delight theatregoers and fans of that era’s music alike.
Joshua Maxwell
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