Summer Rain
Sydney Theatre Company

Cast: Rachael Beck, Blazey Best, Mitchell Butel, Gerry Connolly, Jodie Gillies, Nancye Hayes, Genevieve Lemon, Christopher Parker, Tim Richards, Emily Russell, Terry Serio, Darren Weller, Belinda Wollaston.

Director: Robyn Nevin
Written By: Terence Clark and Nick Enright

Publicist: Sydney Theatre Company (Patrick Shand, Wesley Slattery)

Australian Premiere: Sydney Theatre, Sydney. July 1, 2004.


The Lowdown:
This classic Australian musical was staged as part of the Sydney Theatre Company's 2005 Subscription Season. It received mixed reviews, and closed after a three week run at the Sydney Theatre.


AussieTheatre.com Review:
An Australian musical being re-visited is rare at the best of times, but this new Sydney Theatre Company production of Nick Enright and Terence Clark's Summer Rain is proof that longevity for Australian productions certainly does exist. It's the classic Aussie musical, and while it may not have the glitz and glamour of an American product, it's got plenty of heart and soul.

Clearly a tribute to the late great Nick Enright, the show is at times funny, often emotional and extremely insightful. It's a production that doesn't ask too many questions, and flows brilliantly, despite its slightly slow and off-putting first fifteen minutes.

Summer Rain focuses on the Slocum family, whose circus troupe is left thin on the ground when the majority of the crew leave after a dispute with head-man Harold (Gerry Connolly). Harold decides to take the remaining members of the troupe, being his daughter (played brilliantly by Blazey Best), his son (Chris Parker) and his new wife Ruby (Genevieve Lemon) to a town he visited many years ago, hoping to keep the business alive and perhaps rekindle an old flame.

When the Slocum's arrive, they find the town unwelcoming, with the bad blood between Harold and Barry Doyle (Terry Serio) escalating by the minute. It's later revealed Harold had an affair with Doyle's late wife, a grudge Doyle still holds. But the Slocum's have brought a touch of luck with them - their arrival has coincided with the break of a long drought, and the majority of the townfolk seem excited to have some new people around.

What develops is some extremely interesting and at times poignant storylines. And while the results of all of them are obvious, they force you to be drawn in and their conclusions are all heartfelt and full of meaning.

The interesting thing about Summer Rain is that it doesn't really make any mistakes. There's no clichés to be used here - because for what it is, the team behind this show gets full marks. It's a professional product from the top down, but it's the writing that makes it so strong. Nick Enright's words are often like poetry, and are at times so meaningful that you can feel the memories of the audience being flashed back to poignant times in their lives. The show isn't too simple, but it isn't overly complex either, in fact the balance is perfect from start to finish. Not too long, not too short. Not too forthright, but it doesn't hold back. I could go on - the bottom line is that this is an extremely polished production from a brilliant creative team and a cast that gives their all.

In what is essentially an ensemble piece, Rachael Beck and Genevieve Lemon shine, Beck's best song being the title song, "Summer Rain", just before intermission. Lemon really comes to the fore in the second act, both as an actor and a vocalist, and needs to be applauded.

But the news here is the sensational Blazey Best as Joy Slocum. From the word go her brilliant talent is showcased - vocally she is simply incredible, and her acting is nothing short of superb. Best is, excuse the pun, the show's best performer, and the storyline focusing on her and Charlie Nugent (Mitchell Butel), while being perhaps the simplest of the piece, is the one that brings the biggest smile. Best is an unknown quantity who is a leading lady waiting to happen.

Belinda Wollaston is as chirpy and bubbly as they come, and as 15-year-old Cathy she produces a stellar performance, while Tim Richards, Terry Serio, Nancye Hayes and Jodie Gillies are also worth notable mentions. There's nobody that really lets the side down at all, although Gerry Connolly is at times terribly unconvincing in what would be the closest thing to the show's lead role. There's occasions during the piece when he nails it, but one can't help but feel he's simply not right for the role overall. It's a minor detail, however.

Summer Rain doesn't really have a standout musical number, but the repeated "The Eyes of Nancy Doyle" is the one that sticks in your head, and it's the most emotion-packed and powerful one as well.

The set design for the show - which includes real rain - is brilliant, while Robyn Nevin's direction is spot on. The choreography, too, is excellent, and the musicians led by the ever-brilliant Michael Tyack are nothing short of top notch.

The show leaves many in the audience, and even some of the cast, in tears. What more could you ask from a piece that relies so much on pulling the emotional heartstrings from a distance? It's a five star production.


Production Shots:



Further Information:
None