Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – REVIEW
Image: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Georgina Hopson. Image: John Mccrae
Madonna recreated Marilyn Monroe’s famous routine from the 1953 film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, in her video for “Material Girl”, but it would be hard to find a more dazzling rendition of “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” than Georgina Hopson’s absolute show-stopper in the Hayes Theatre’s new stage adaptation.
Not to take anything away from Hopson’s co-star, Emily Havea who has all the sass, stage presence, and sex appeal of Jane Russell (Monroe’s movie co) but with soaring vocals to boot. It’s a synergetic pairing that lifts this show above and beyond the fairly banal narrative.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes tells the story of besties, Lorelei Lee (Hopson) and Dorothy Shaw (Havea) who, by the grace of Lorelei’s betrothed heir to a button-manufacturing fortune, Gus Esmond Jr (Tomāš Kantor) are given passage to England on a luxury cruise liner.
Crossed-wires, unread telegrams, a dark past hidden behind a false identity, and the usual Hollywood musical shenanigans, all come together in a combustion of comedy, romance, and spontaneous songs.
The cast and production are much better than the script which doesn’t quite stand the test of time, nor does it have the real zingers that some scripts from this period do. The dialogue slows down the action and it would probably work better if they just had the show tunes.
However, put that bit of gherkin on the side of the plate and enjoy the delicious meal that Richard Carroll and co have created.
In addition to the aforementioned Hopson and Havea, who really are a powerhouse team, it’s a stunning ensemble. Kantor, who is the geeky Esmond, also does time as a lithe, ripped jock. Octavia Barron-Martin is delightful as Mrs Spofford, swilling champagne at every opportunity, against doctors orders and to the disapproval of her eligible bachelor son, Henry (Matthew Predny). Henry is clean-cut and unassuming, the unlikely suitor to party-girl Dorothy.
Monica Sayers is the tightly-stitched Lady Beekman who has lost grasp of a very expensive tiara and an equally elusive husband, Sir Francis, played like a classic British comic character actor by Thomas Campbell.
Leah Lim does double time as aspiring dancer, Gloria and crew member, Robbear. White-haired and lean, Tomas Parrish also plays multiple roles providing some great visual humour – along with the rest of the cast – which includes subtle winks around gender and sexuality. As this is presented as part of Sydney WorldPride, the queer overtones are played up to the max.
As usual, musical director, Victoria Falconer, just can’t keep off the stage, but her intrusion is most welcome. She is not only an extraordinary musician but a charismatic performer with good comic sensibility.
While “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” is being repeatedly hailed as worth the price of the ticket alone – and it’s true – there is plenty more in this little musical that adds value to the cost of admission.
