- See The Shows That Were -

Lyric Youth theatre, the new Under 21's division of Geelong Lyric, opened its latest production of Stephen Sondheim's A funny thing happened on the way to the forum on Friday night at Gpac.

Following their strong debut last year with the Pirates of Penzance, this seems an unusual choice for such a young group. A funny thing...etc is a rollicking politically incorrect show full of double entendre and risqué humor about virgins, eunuchs, prostitution, and a few other miscellaneous taboos. The setting is ancient Rome and the bawdy humor is rife throughout the lyrics of songs like "everybody ought to have a maid", "bring me my bride", and "that dirty old man". Call me a prude, but those subjects coming from a group containing 11 year olds just doesn't feel right. This production is a clear example of how difficult it must be to find a show for this group of diverse ages. On the one hand they are trying to attract a mainstream audience where A funny thing would go down a treat. On the other, this group needs material the younger performers can relate to.

With that out of my system, I can tell you despite all this the production is extremely entertaining thanks to the talented and enthusiastic cast directed by Kelly Clifford and Ed Dolista. Lachlan Joyce is terrific in the choice lead role of Psuedolus, giving a performance full of focused energy. Matthew Cookson shows off his fantastic voice in the dress wearing 'straight' role of hero. Glenn Murray does well with the difficult role of Senex, while Eline-Marie Sejean relishes the smallish role of Domina. Jennifer Stirk is sweetly vacant as the pure Philia and Alard Pett is hilariously effeminate as Hysterium. The leads are supported by a large team including a harem of saucy dancing girls, choreographed by Penni Nash-Gilchrist. Sondheim's fantastic score is executed beautifully by the 16 piece orchestra (also under 21) led by the accomplished Veronica Thornthwaite. The musicians play from the balcony of the set, above the house of ill repute, with the whole set designed in a cartoon style, by John Moorfoot.

Life after George performed by the Theatre Studies class of Geelong College proved to be well worth the money.

Life after George involves the themes of love, idealism, relationships, passion, infidelity and betrayal. These themes are explored through the investigation of the life of Peter George, through his three wives Beatrix, Lindsay and Poppy his daughter Ana and his friend Alan Duffy. All three women, although different in ideas, values and ambitions, have been inspired to love Peter George, whose death 'unites them in grief'.

George is charismatic but far from faultless. His passion for his work and for the world in which he lives is indisputable. He impacts on the lives of all he comes across, and through the worlds of Paris in 1968, Tuscany, Melbourne and Flinders Island, we begin to understand the ways in which Peter George has influenced and coloured the lives of those around him.

Throughout this play, long kept secrets are exposed, true feelings are known and relationships are explored. We, as the audience witness the changes and realizations of the characters in 'Life after George" as they develop and deal with the death of their husband, father and friend.