Somewhere
Produced by Q Theatre Company

Cast: Amie McKenna, Nick Simpson-Deeks, Geraldine Turner, Sharon Millerchip, Jo Turner. (Not complete list)

Book By: Kate Mulvany
Music By: Tim Minchin
Lyrics By: Tim Minchin
Director: David Berthold

Publicist: Troy Dodds

Australian Premiere: Q Theatre, Penrith, NSW. Friday, October 7, 2005.


The Lowdown:
The first show in the new look Q Theatre in Penrith. Was a musical dedicated to the people of Penrith, a suburb in Sydney's west.


AussieTheatre.com Review:
With all the quintessential elements of Penrith, the new Australian musical Somewhere is sure to be a knockout with a local audience. The jokes can appeal to outsiders too, but those who know Penrith will be laughing just a little harder, that is if they are brave enough to laugh at their own town and all its oddity’s and nuances.

This show is enjoyable and at times very funny, with some big names playing the leads, namely Geraldine Turner and Sharon Millerchip, but the huge ensemble cast of all ages although appealing to the sense of community and making the theatre for everyone, seems to reduce the professionalism of the production as a whole. We can’t forget however that Somewhere is a production written with the help of the Penrith community and should therefore involve them in every facet. The ensemble are enthusiastic and we see the many characters that inhabit Penrith from ugg boot clad tweens to westie mums in leggings and the Blue Mountains hippies.

The plot unfolds with Sharon Millerchip playing the local and beloved taxi driver Lilly, who acts as the narrator and member of the committee for Penrith Pride. Penrith Pride is made up of a cross section of local Penrith people who are discussing creating a show about Penrith for Penrith. The committee is also made up of local busybody and diva Philomena (played with gusto by Geraldine Turner), Penrith footballing legend Trevor (Jo Turner), computer game nerd Sam (Nick Simpson Deeks) and Narelle (Amie McKenna), perhaps the most enjoyable character in the show.

There are flashbacks or dream sequences to various parts in the main character’s lives and their fantasies, which make up the content of their show. The plot is not overly strong and at times seems to wander off in strange tangents in an attempt to appear magical and exciting. The storyline, trying to tie up loose ends and create a happy ending, ensures that the two characters that seem to most despise each other end up being long lost mother and son and resolve all their differences because of their blood connection. These scenes lack conviction and tend to be overplayed and are not needed in a show that is essentially a satire about Penrith.

The blatant use of all items Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in one particular scene ensured this sponsor got its moneys worth. Garbage bag alien’s, one of which sounded remarkably like cookie monster, have Krispy Kreme boxes for mouths and their mission was to come to Penrith and introduce the phenomenon of Krispy Kreme to all, with the restaurant in miniature shooting down from above to land in Penrith City.

The love of all things miniature continues and in a quirky way this production manages to steer its way around complicated set problems. The use of the remote control family 4WD with a voice over provided the introduction to Glenmore Park, one of the iconic symbols of Sydney’s West - the complex full of homes that all look the same. Lily’s taxi takes on the same form and there is even a remote control ferry floating merrily along the Nepean River.

On the whole the production made for an enjoyable night out, but the musical is far too long and there are too many unnecessary scenes and add on characters. Amie McKenna was the standout performer on the night with her character Narelle coming out of her shell to perform "Alone In A Spotlight" which is by far the best written song in the show and was beautifully executed.

The biggest let down of the night would have to have been the sound problems that dominated the evening and more often than not ruined some of the more beautiful, well written and presented songs in the show. "The Tank That Frank Built" which comes just after interval had the performers scattered all through the aisles singing a song about community and family ties. A particularly well written song became excruciating to watch because of sound issues.

Tim Minchin has created a varied and funny score, which without the sound problems would have probably been more of a hit with the audience. The theatre is new and may have a few teething problems, but on the whole the company managed to overcome the problems with the professionalism in their performances. A long, but enjoyable evening, this production has the potential to appeal to local audiences with its true blue Aussie flavour and accurate portrayal of the Penrith City local life.


Production Shots:



Further Information:
Not Available