You would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished musical theatre performer on the big stage than Caroline O’Connor. In short, she is a league of her own. She sizzles. She is pure dynamite, the best of the best of the best. In almost every scene of Funny Girl, she struts, pouts and jiggles as the not-all-that-attractive but determined and dogmatic Broadway performer Fanny Brice. With a magnificent, self-deprecating sense of humour, she sings up a storm with her perfectly pitched big voice, leaving the audience gasping at her range and delivery. As a matter of fact, O’Connor reprises the role she played for The Production Company in its inaugural season in 1999.
Fanny Brice is a stand by your man type who, after meeting handsome entrepreneur and inveterate gambler Nick Arnstein (David Hobson, making his Production Company debut), is immediately smitten. There is no consideration of the consequences, regardless of the warnings she receives from others. Set in and around New York City around the time of the First World War, Fanny and Nick have a stormy relationship during which he is constantly away.
To step back a moment, when we are first introduced to Fanny, she is desperate to land her first job in vaudeville and in that endeavour she is helped by a dancer she meets, Eddie Ryan (Luke Alleva). On her way to “making it” and becoming a star, it is a besotted Arnstein who ensures her pay cheque is a significant one. Her mother, Mrs Brice (Nancye Hayes), is a constant presence. Of course, she wants to ensure the very best for her daughter, but can’t prevent the unravelling of her relationship with Arnstein over time.
With The Production Company orchestra directed by Anthony Gabrielle taking centre stage, the action takes place in front of it and immediate above (courtesy of two large curved 12-step staircases on either side). There are 14 numbers in the first act and nine in the second. Direction is from Gale Edwards and choreography from Kelley Abbey, two of the finest proponents of their craft. The 29-strong cast that includes Susan-Ann Walker, David Ross Paterson, Greg Stone, Judith Roberts and Jan Russ make this a most enjoyable and entertaining ride.
The musical originally opened on Broadway in March 1964 with Barbra Streisand in the lead role, which she reprised on the West End in April 1966. Of course, Funny Girl was turned into a film directed by William Wyler and starring Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif in 1968. Streisand received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her first screen role (when she tied with Katherine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter). Although it has been quite a while since I saw the film, what I can say without any fear of contradiction is that Caroline O’Connor ensures The Production Company’s stage musical is one that will live on in my memory for the rest of my days.
Such a dominant, dexterous and delightful performance is, indeed, a rare gem. Please buy a ticket before it is too late. Funny Girl is on at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne until 31st July.
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
