Jay James-Moody stars in Herringbone. Photo by David Hooley.
Jay James-Moody gives a gripping, virtuoso bravura performance of this dark and intensely disturbing play.
In its Australian premiere Herringbone, written by Tom Cone with music by Skip Kennon and lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, begins and ends in 1929 right around the time of the Wall Street crash and the start of the Great Depression.
The show was a cross between vaudeville, a big Broadway musical and a gothic horror story.
James-Moody as George Herringbone is the narrator of the play. He also plays all the other characters within the story. The characters he embodies include George, the eight-year-old child prodigy; Lou The Frog, a middle-aged entertainer who seeks ghostly revenge and forces George to commit murder; Arthur, George’s avaricious father; Louise, George’s mother; an effete drama teacher who encourages his dancing, and a motel desk clerk in love with the seemingly charming Lou.
The adults take George to Hollywood to become a child movie star and make lots of money in the process. The problem with this production is it becomes rather like the Red Shoes. George can’t stop dancing – at least until he is on his way to Hollywood.
James-Moody is incredible throughout, zipping between the sharply delineated characters, singing, dancing and “swimming” too.
Jay James-Moody stars in Herringbone. Photo by David Hooley.
Benjamin Brockman’s set and atmospheric lighting design was superb. A slightly raised round stage, with a couple of chairs and a bureaux and chairs suspended from above were utalised. It was simple but impactful, with the audience divided into two halves either side of the stage.
The band, Natalya Aynsley on keys, Amanda Jenkins on double bass and Tom McCracken on drums were tremendous. The band was visible on stage, and on the occasion interacted with James-Moody.
At times Herringbone was very funny, and at other times creepy, haunting and intense. This atmospheric production was a fabulous showcase for James-Moody.
Rating: 4 ½ stars ★★★★☆
Herringbone
Presented by Squabbalogic
By Tom Cone, Skip Kennon and Ellen Fitzhugh
Featuring Jay James-Moody
Directed by Jay James-Moody & Michael Ralph
Musical Director Benjamin Kiehne
Lighting & Set Design Benjamin Brockman Sound Design Jessica James-Moody
Stage Manager Christopher Starnawski
Production Photography David Hooley
18 January – 2 February 2019
KXT Kings Cross Theatre, Sydney
