Beth Daly in Grey Gardens; Photo by Michael Francis.
If you haven’t already, book now for this extraordinary, shattering performance, the latest musical by wonderful Squabbalogic. This is the Sydney premiere production, with stellar performances from an exceptional cast .
Based on the 1975 documentary by David and Albert Mayseles, Grey Gardens tells the story of Jackie Kennedy’s eccentric and reclusive aunt and cousin. The play explores the searing and twisted relationship between Edith Boiuvier Beale and her daughter.
Outstandingly directed by Jay James-Moody, with songs by Michael Korie and the score by Scott Franke, there is an aura of American Musical of the 1940’s throughout. The musical Grey Gardens Act 1 is mostly set in 1941, when it was regarded as one of the poshest houses in the filthy-rich East Hamptons.
Act 2 transports us forward 30 years to show the Bouvier Beales as the 1975 documentary film presented them: living in a ruined house surrounded by a large number of cats, with querulous, demanding Edith drawing to the end of her life and trapped Edie wearing a rather strange line of home-made clothing.
It is at times a very tense emotional roller coaster ride. We see Edie’s happiness deliberately destroyed on the eve of her engagement and other bleak, almost sinister examinations of the parent/child relationship particularly the mother/daughter one.
Caitlin Berry marvellously plays the younger Edie in the first act, with Beth Daly playing her mother in an extraordinary performance. In Act 2, Daly becomes the older Little Edie, and Maggie Blinco plays her mother, Big Edie.
The young Edie as gloriously played by Berry is in the prime of her life with the world before her. She is about to become engaged to Joe Kennedy and has a Broadway career lined up. She never married however and moved back to Grey Gardens, officially to care for her mother. They remained in seclusion there, the house crumbling into disrepair.
Daly’s performance in particular is enormously impressive, shocking us in a mesmerizing and compelling portrayal. Berry and Blinco are also extremely accomplished theatre veterans who give detailed, finely nuanced performances.
The script is biting and witty; at certain points the dialogue is extremely emotionally revealing and harrowing, at others it explodes into joyous musical. The delightful score is in part a homage to great musicals of the 1930s and 40s and Shondelle Pratt’s exuberant, precise choreography complements this. Benjamin Brockman‘s lighting is magnificent.The band under Hayden Barltrop was terrific.
The delightful George is suavely played by Blake Erickson with definite echoes of ever so elegant Noel Coward ( including a red plush smoking jacket). Simon McLachlan is in splendid form as Joe Kennedy and then Jerry. Russell Newman is gruffly delightful as the Major and Norman Vincent Peale .
Simon Greer’s set design is amazing. When we enter at the start of the show there is an extremely dingy, dilapidated feel with tattered dirty curtains and rubbish everywhere mixed in with dying plants. Quite a Miss Havisham aura. The transformation in Act 1 back to its beautiful glory days is enchanting. Then ​time shifts again, as the home begins to become run down at the start of Act 2. Most effective use is made in Act 2 particularly of the upstairs level – the attic and Edie’s bedroom.
A powerful show that makes us think about the position of women in society, families and independence.
Rating: 4½ stars out of 5
Grey Gardens
Director: Jay James-Moody
Musical Director: Hayden Barltrop
Choreographer: Shondelle Pratt
Set Designer: Simon Greer
Lighting Designer: Benjamin Brockman
Sound Designer: Jessica James-Moody
Costume Designer: Brendan Hay
Stage Manager: Nicole Eyles​Director: Jay James-Moody
Musical Director: Hayden Barltrop
Choreographer: Shondelle Pratt
Set Designer: Simon Greer
Lighting Designer: Benjamin Brockman
Sound Designer: Jessica James-Moody
Costume Designer: Brendan Hay
Stage Manager: Nicole Eyles​
Cast: Sienna Arnold, Caitlin Berry, Maggie Blinco, Kelly Callaghan, Beth Daly, Blake Erickson, Sian Fuller, Jenna Keenan, Simon McLachlan, Russell Newman, Timothy Springs
The Reginald, Seymour Centre
Running from 18 November – 12 December, 2015​
