West Side Story

It’s as if every other performance of West Side Story you’ve seen was in black and white, whilst this one was in full technicolour.

Such was the intensity of the brilliance of so many aspects of this production that it felt fresh and more detailed than any I have watched before.

Sydney turned on a balmy sunset for the opening night performance of the annual Handa on Sydney Harbour, a revival of West Side Story, first staged five years ago.

Jerome Robbins’ dazzling choreography of the opening fight scene between the Jets and the Sharks is breathtaking on the large outdoor stage, with an ensemble that displayed athleticism and grit as they leapt across the stage in symmetry.

The female ensemble got their chance to shine in the song “America”, which is punctuated by the traditional fireworks.

The set design from Brian Thomson is a series of heavily graffitied train carriages. One is dangerously titled over the edge of the stage. The other revolves to reveal the milk bar.

A major reason for the heightened appreciation for the musical was the full 40-piece orchestra under the baton of Guy Simpson and outstanding audio.  Every note was crisp, and every syllable of dialogue was crystal clear – at least in our close to the front seats.

In the lead role of star-crossed lover Tony is Billy Bourchier. The tenor who has served a long apprenticeship as a standby in major musicals in recent years, finally gets the chance to shine and stamp himself a star.

Billy has a dreamy voice, and he soars deliciously to the top notes in his aria “Maria”. He is the perfect antidote to those disappointed with the actor cast in the same role in Stephen Spielberg’s recent movie adaptation.

Playing Maria is Nina Korbe. The First Nations soprano sings beautifully too, but her style leans a little closer to opera than musical theatre.

The (Shark) gang of Latinos is partially cast with matching ethnicity from characters to actors. Manuel Stark Santos (Bernado) and Diego Garcia (Chino) gave the production authenticity.

However Opera Australia does not stick rigidly to this casting policy, allowing outstanding actress Kimberley Hodgson to back up from Miss Saigon last year in the role of Anita in West Side Story.

There are lots of cameo comedic and dramatic roles which were nicely performed. Scott Irwin (Lieutenant Schrank), Wayne Scott Kermond (Doc), Joe Clements (Officer Krupke) and Doron Chester (Gladhand) each seized their moments to shine.

The opening night audience gave the production a rousing reception. In a speech at the after-show party, Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke revealed that West Side Story was the theme for his recent wedding and he lauded the production as being as good any you will see.

He acknowledged the presence at the event of former Prime Minister Scott Morrisson, who admitted to me that he had never seen the musical before.

This production will please those new to the West Side Story and long-time fans.

David Spicer

Photographer: Keith Saunders