REVIEW: AIDA Aida is a challenging piece of theatre for any company to produce. Particularly given that it requires a fairly large ensemble cast, as well as the many other challenges. Fortunately, for the most part, UMMTA do a standup job of producing such a large scale show. Firstly, the direction. Grace Agnew has not had a vast amount of experience in the directors seat, and it is this freshness that enables her to bring a vibrancy to the entire show. She keeps the action moving along and the story telling is always focused. Anthony Cardamone is to be commended as musical director. The band sound fantastic and the vocals of the cast are sublime. A standout highlight is the act one finale, The Gods Love Nubia which features an incredible gospel-style harmony. It is certainly a goosebump inducing moment. Lighting design by Blake Condon is suitably grand and perfectly fits the style of the show. Costumes by Airlie Brett are a feast for the eyes. Sets by Tom Fellowes are kept to a minimum, but still evoke locale and time without any struggle. Then to the cast. Sarah Calsina plays the strong and determined Nubian Princess with such conviction it is virtually impossible not to be taken on her journey. Her powerhouse voice easily carries the many numbers she sings throughout the show. She never seems to tire in the entire 2 hour performance. Joseph Spanti gives Radames a youthfulness and exuberance that makes it easy to see why he has two women after his heart. It is impressive to see him growing as a performer and he will only get better the more he continues. Grace Kingsford makes a beautiful Amneris. Her outward beauty is matched by her stunning vocals. She nearly tears the house down with My Strongest Suit Pasquale Bartalotta and Elle Richards are both standouts in the supporting cast. The ensemble are wonderful. It is interesting to note that most have played lead roles in previous productions - hence their strength in numbers! Unfortunately the sound design is not up to par with the rest of the production. The balance was off for most of the show, and hearing chatter backstage through the amplifiers was distracting. However, this was one small quibble with an otherwise stellar production. Congratulations to all involved! AIDA is playing at the Union Theatre, University of Melbourne until 27th September. For more information: ummta.org/aida
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:42:15 +0000
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