A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Stephen Sondheim’s first produced stage show as both lyricist and composer – opened on Broadway in 1962. Fifty years later, there’s no reason why a new production of the distinctly dated musical, with its paper-thin plot set in ancient Rome, and featuring female characters so two dimensional that to call them cartoonish would be an insult to the creators of comic books, should still work. And yet, amazingly, it does.
Yes, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is crass, camp, and potentially offensive, but somehow it’s also damned entertaining, thanks in part to Simon Phillips’ strong direction and a stellar cast who are very clearly having enormous fun with their thinly written roles. Indeed, on the night this reviewer attended, corpsing was so common it seemed almost de rigueur – and it must be said, watching the likes of Geoffrey Rush, Shane Bourne and Magda Szubanski struggle to control their own giggles in front of a laughing audience is almost worth the price of admission alone.
Based on the satires of the Roman playwright Plautus and his stock character, the clever slave, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum tells the story of the wily Pseudolus (Rush), a slave who inveigles a promise of freedom from his master, Hero (Hugh Sheridan) in return for uniting the handsome young Roman with the virginal courtesan, Philia (Christie Whelan-Browne). Unfortunately, Philia has already been sold to Miles Gloriosus (Adam Murphy), a boastful army captain, by her master, the brothel-owner Marcus Lycus (Gerry Connolly). Further complications ensue when Hero’s father, Senex (Bourne) seeks his own assignation with Philia while avoiding his aggressive wife, Domina (Szubanski). Cue a classical farce featuring mistaken identities, bawdy jokes, drag, Benny Hill-style chases, and an audience guffawing with laughter.
The book, by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, is solid, and Sondheim’s songs are adequate if not especially memorable, while Gabriela Tylesova’s costumes (especially those of the courtesans) sparkle and her set impresses, but it’s the performances that really make this production worth seeing.
Some of the leads have been cast more for their audience appeal and comedic skills rather than their singing voices – Rush can carry a tune, but is hardly a great singer, and the same is true of Bourne – whereas Christie Whelan-Browne’s voice is truly glorious, and Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan is revealed as a light but pleasing tenor.
The chorus also acquit themselves well, especially the charismatic Rohan Browne as one of the three hard-working Proteans. Conversely, Gerry Connolly underwhelms as pimp Marcus Lycus – his performance lacks the spark of his colleagues – whereas Mitchell Butel gives his all to the role of highly strung slave Hysterium. His solo, ‘I’m Calm’ is a showstopper. Szubanski delights as Domina, the classic comedic dragon lady.
Save for a chase sequence in the second half of the show, which lacks the precise timing and energy required to really sell the scene, Phillips’ direction is tight and effervescent.
Dated yes, but damn enjoyable, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is one of the musical theatre highlights of the year, and is sure to be well decorated come the 2012 Green Room Awards.
Rating: 4 stars
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Simon Phillips
Associate Director: Dean Bryant
Musical Director: Mathew Frank
Choreographer: Andrew Hallsworth
Costume & Set designs by Gabriela Tylesova
Cast includes Shane Bourne, Bob Hornery, Geoffrey Rush, Hugh Sheridan, Magda Szubanski and Christie Whelan-Browne
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
Until 16 December
