Photo credit: Ben Fon
Stephen Sondheim fans must be in seventh heaven: This year alone, Melbourne has seen productions of Pacific Overtures, Victoria Opera presented a splendid Into the Woods a few months ago and now we finally have the professional premiere of Passion.
Based on an obscure Italian film Passione d’Amore, which was in turn adapted from the 19th century novel Fosca, the musical explores the unlikely romance between Giorgio (Kane Alexander), an army captain and Fosca, (Theresa Borg) a physically and mentally tormented woman who lives at the rural Italian barracks with her cousin Colonel Ricci (Mark Dickinson). The story unfolds through a series of letters between Giorgio, his married lover Clara (Silvie Paladino) and Fosca. The young soldier is initially shocked by Fosca’s unbridled affections before succumbing to a very powerful and real love. This is serious stuff.
Passion is closest in style to Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, however it’s mostly sung, quite melodramatic and predominantly operatic in nature. The music is lush, romantic and intricate and Life Like’s production is strongest in its presentation of the score. The cast sing the material gloriously and the large orchestra produces a beautifully rich sound under veteran Guy Simpson’s superlative musical direction. It’s a real treat to hear this score performed so breathtakingly well.
After a bit of a shaky start in the opening scene (a few flubbed lines and an awkward ‘costume’ choice for the leading man) both Alexander and Paladino impress in their respective roles. Alexander has a powerful voice and his performance is committed and energetic; he is rarely off stage for the entire intermission-less two hours running time. Having last seen Paladino belting her face off in The Production Company’s Chess a few years ago, it was refreshing to hear this seasoned performer use a different tone of voice for her portrayal of Clara. Paladino’s soprano is simply sublime and hers is one of the best Clara’s I’ve ever heard. Their fiery reprise of the lover’s duet ‘Happiness’ towards the end of the show is thrilling.
The success of any production of Passion ultimately lies with the presentation of of Fosca. This character is so overbearing, so emotional and almost reprehensible at times that it can become difficult for an audience to connect emotionally to her and become convinced by her central relationship with Giorgio. A portion of the opening night audience, especially the young man seated next to this reviewer, greeted various plot points and actions with uncomfortable laughter. Borg’s performance is straightforward and she sings the role well, but there’s something slightly lacking. She sometimes seems preoccupied with hitting the notes rather than creating a fully multidimensional character. Borg’s Fosca is just missing a bit of, well, passion.
The supporting army officers played by Jolyon James, Cameron Macdonald, Tod Strike, Troy Sussman and Glaston Toft offer moments of comic relief between the central histrionics of the plot. Unfortunately some performers have a tendency to pull focus, which becomes a bit annoying. Theatre stalwart John O’May brings a gravitas to the role of Doctor Tambourri, however the inclusion of a rarely performed additional scene does little to clarify this character’s somewhat questionable motivations.
Rob Sowinski’s set and lighting design is appropriately romantic and dramatic. The floor of the stage is covered with gilded patterns, translucent curtains fly in and out, an ominous jagged mountain range is simplistically depicted upstage and the actors are constantly bathed in stark and moody sidelight. The costumes are opulent and lush.
Director Neil Gooding has created a classy production that adheres pretty closely to the Broadway original, which is readily available on DVD. The action flows smoothly, however the physicality of the actors is rather stifled at times. There’s a lot of sitting at tables, reading of letters and moments of stillness and not a lot of momentum. This becomes most evident whenever Clara enters a scene; most of the time Paladino simply walks on, strolls across the stage and exits again. The complex flashback sequence that explains Fosca’s past is staged effectively, however the choice to use members of the male ensemble to portray the female roles doesn’t work.
Passion is the debut music theatre production for Life Like, a successful company predominantly specialising in touring shows of children’s entertainment. If this performance is anything to go by, they might be onto something new and exciting. This is a polished production of a complicated romantic musical with some of the most glorious music and vocal performances you’re likely to hear all year.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 starts
Passion
Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Music and Lyrics By Stephen Sondheim
Book By James Lapine
Playhouse, The Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne
November 5 – November 8 2014
