SWEET CHARITY
Sweet Charity is a musical centred around the character of Charity Hope Valentine, who is an eternal optimist and dancer. Charity, played in this production by musical theatre star Verity Hunt-Ballard, makes her money dancing with man after man to pay the rent, hoping one will whisk her off her feet. Themes include the pursuit of security via romance – an interesting notion and somewhat old-fashioned.
Director Dean Bryant says the story involves, “The resilience of human beings, the disempowerment of the poor, and women especially, the pursuit of romance and security, the discovery of joy and kindness in unexpected places and the randomness of life.”
On Broadway, Sweet Charity was a huge success and has built its own identity in musical theatre. Previously played by Shirley MacLaine in the 1969 movie and now at the independent Hayes Theatre Company in Potts Point.
“Doing the first production for the Hayes Theatre is incredibly exciting. Also, intimate, imaginative, story-based musicals are my passion, so to get to take a classic like Sweet Charity and iris in on the world of Charity and her friends is a delightful challenge,” says Bryant.
The show is said to be very sexy and physical, capturing Charity’s experience of life and how she tries to desperately transform it. (LK)
Feb 7-Mar 9, Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, $49, hayestheatre.com.au
BY LYNDSAY KENWRIGHT
