My first visit to the Koorliny Arts Centre on the outskirts of Perth was in November last year for Come From Away. I had seen the professional tour of that show four times, and it was ridiculous how close to the “real thing” Koorliny’s amateur version got. The choreography and set, the casting and passion, had been a “mini-Me” version of the professional one I’d seen at Crown and Melbourne.
So with that background, I was looking forward to attending Opening Night for their latest effort, Guys and Dolls.
The Venue
The Koorliny Arts Centre is a top venue. They have all you need: a bar, somewhere to take photos, a random piano by the wall, bells to indicate show time, it all provides the same buzz of a larger venue. They had even scheduled a singer in the foyer for intermission which was a classy addition. Parking is easy and the staff are friendly and keen to help you have a great night out.
The Stage
The theatre is comfortable and a smart size; it’s big enough to have atmosphere but small enough that there probably isn’t a bad seat in the house.
When we entered the auditorium, the presentation of the set and stage and the anticipation this generates are obvious and, like Come From Away, one forgets one is at an amateur production.
Again, first impressions did not disappoint!
The Show
Guys and Dolls follows two couples during the era of gangsters and show girls. Nathan Detroit is trying to make his fortune from organising illegal gambling whilst his fiancé of 14 years, Adelaide, longs to finally get married and move on from her life of nightclub dancing. Meanwhile a successful gambler, Sky Masterson falls for a Salvation Army worker whose ethics seem quite different from his own.
Some of its bigger songs include Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat, and Guys and Dolls.
The Cast
The lineup includes multiple WAAPA graduates, a professional vocal coach, a candidate from The Voice, and seasoned amateur theatre performers. There is plenty of energy from the whole cast and the characters grow on you as the show develops. The main four are played by particularly strong performers. Lochlan Curtis holds the stage with confidence and presence, and has the singing voice to match. My standout by far was Hannah Charlotte as Sarah Brown. You could tell she has been to WAAPA. Her acting was first class and it was a joy to experience such a performance at close range in a smaller theatre when she could quite easily have been at Crown or beyond.
The Rest
On the whole, the band was fine. A couple of times certain instruments seemed a little nervous but then once a song got going everyone seemed to settle in.
Sound and lights were done well. A good marker of the technical side is to notice how many times a mic wasn’t up in time and this show was practically perfect in that regard. They were far better than others I’ve seen at professional theatres in both Perth and Sydney.
Conclusion
This was an entertaining performance from a strong cast. Again, Koorliny has blurred the line between professional and amateur theatre. The enthusiasm of the audience was also unique. No doubt plenty were there to cheer on their friends and it’s great to be amongst this excitement. Whilst we had to rush off back to the babysitter this time, the chance to mingle with the cast afterwards at these smaller venues is also special. Koorliny should again be proud of their offering to the Perth theatre scene and, if you can find a babysitter, I recommend you go enjoy a fun night out at their second week of shows.
