Ray Columbus – Mid-Year Catch Up

I just completed two months that was exhilarating, educational and yet very intense. I played a cameo actor part in the Peach Theatre Company Production of Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

The season was staged at the Maidment Theatre in Auckland City. A fabulous World Class Production.if you missed it you missed one of the greatest musical Theatre experiences to play in New Zealand.

It started off for me when Director Jesse Peach (file that name away – he is a great talent) contacted my Agent X; Leesa Tilley re my playing a role of the StoryTeller in the show, I went and met the young Director he played me some of the pieces he wanted me to do.I noted the singing for the most part was in the baritone range sometimes stretching to tenor top…the CD he played me was the Broadway production and the Standard of the singing and playing of the Stephen Sondhiem Score was superb…so I felt I had better warn Jesse that I had been recovering from a major stroke 3rd June 2008..there were some issues with my stilted speech and singing and indeed even moving about I could be a bit diffident.Seemingly unperturbed he proceeded to tell me about the 'role'…it was an optional one..really part of The Chorus..but I would noticeably be the eldest member of the Stellar cast..and a bit wacky which fitted my demeanour, I hasten to add it was a small role too…I wouldn't have entertained anything more!

So we rehearsed near MOTAT in Meola Road for four weeks with Musical Director Anthony Young who was very patient but at the same time exacting, Jesse was there too with Production/Stage Manager Fern Christie and Assistant SM Gabrielle Rhodes omnipresent.

We learned our vocal parts (and I noted the Leads already new theirs!)It was sometimes a bit of a reach for me having mainly been in the privileged position as a lead singer all of my career-The Invaders covered the harmonies! So when I heard what I thought was a harmony line for me…I learned quickly that it was actually not so but a baritone fifth below the tonic!! Or something just as confusing…and as the only member of the chorus who didn't read music 'dots' as we say..that is the notes one sings or plays! (Remember I've been a pop/rock entertainer all of my life) that was all gobbledygook to me! Anyway I was given so much support and help from all of the chorus, the MD and production team…four weeks later we were ready to go to Theatre with the show (I should note that the first time in rehearsal I heard the cast sing…together I knew the show was going to be as good as the recording I had…at least!….and it was.

To the Maidment we go for two days to rehearse.with the set by Emily O'Hara… a minimalist I suppose (someone said it was Brecht-like?…Bertoldt?) design…featuring a huge 'truck' that would be on one side Mrs.Lovett's Meat Pie Shop, on another Mr.Todd's Tonsorial Parlour, another side was the doors of the Furnace and opening of a chute.The Chorus members regularly moved it for each scene.. The rest of the set consisted of smaller movable parts -walls etc and a meat Grinder and my domain a handle and chain to ring the 'death whistle' as I called it…and the wagon with all the lethal razors and shaving regalia.

To the Play…Auckland's Ross Girven was Masterful as Sweeney Todd.his acting and singing was fabulous.and quite scary in its intensity. He was so consistent I was constantly impressed. Ross's background as a pop/rock singer.. means he was like me not a sight reader..even more impressive for such a major role. His partner in the plot on Fleet Street Lynda Milligan…as Mrs (Nelly) Lovett was also Unstoppably loveable and funny every show..her performance was stupendous every time. She was one of many Christchurch Actors in the cast. Aussie Tyran Parke playing the pivotal role of Tobias..t he troubled soul who almost steals the show; he contacted Jesse peach when he knew of the show and was so keen to get the part he paid his own travel across the Tasman. I can't image anyone else playing these roles.. and to those people who knock the fact that an Aussie is in the play..I say Australia loves to claim Kiwis who make it over there.. and I'm one Kiwi happy to claim a great talent like Tyran as one of ours!

The same must be said about Sofia Hawthorne as the tragic Beggar Woman..so consistent every show, Nic Kyle as Anthony …lovely voice and a tall acting presence as Todd's sailor friend and the lovestruck suitor of Jessie Cassin in the key role of Johanna….the latter has a sweet soaring soprano voice perfect for the virginal part she plays. The multi-talented Michael Lee Porter(Christchurch) is powerful  as Pirelli the 'Italian' Barber who is challenged to a shaving contest with Todd ( and becomes the first victim).He hits top 'C' effortlessly every show. Amazing. Another lead Paul Barrett as Beadle the Pimp of Judge Turpin is a multi gifted actor /Repetitor and musician. A big man he's perfect as the judge's enforcer. The Judge was played by another Christchurch born actor Michael Hurst (you TV fans know him as Iolas, sidekick to Hercules, The Legendary Journeys. the long running us TV series shot here. He was great as the Predatory Judge..lusting after his ward ( the daughter of Todd)..and was replaced by chorus member David Jason for the final show. David- a sight reader and very good singer took over the role in a more Judicial but nevertheless just as frightening to Johanna. The chorus I must mention..they were the glue that held the entire show together, wonderful singers and actors sopranos, Mezzos, tenors, baritones and bassos-Antonia Prebble(Outrageous Fortune),Jane Horder, Cameron Douglas, Maria Satterfield, Greg Padoa, Catherine Reaburn, Kyle Chuen, Tizane McEvoy and Julian Wilson(who became a first time father the last week of the run. Whenever someone had to step into the breach for an actor with voice troubles or to help stage management..Michael lee Porter and Paul Barrett did so effortlessly (The Show Must Go On) is the mantra.

Mention must go to Abi Taylor Makeup design, Lynn Cottingham wardrobe design, Nik Janiurek Lighting design, Emily Campbell choreographic staging, Aidan Mills and Prev Naidu sound and all the above's crew and props master Paula Jepson. Special mention to the 9 piece orchestra. A wonderful show and my thanks to Jesse peach and his team for helping me get through it…A final word to Graeme

Latta at the Quest on Mount for sponsoring my accommodation most of each week.,.. It was very interesting staying on the campus if you like and walking to the venue…Made it all the more enjoyable..I would not have coped so well without it. If you didn't see the show and you get a chance somewhere, sometime.. go for it.

RayC