Sunday 22 September 2013

South Pacific


Yes, it is only a year ago that I saw this Opera Australia presentation of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'South Pacific'. That season resulted in the most number of tickets sold for a single presentation at the Sydney Opera House so it is unsurprising that OA quickly installed the production into this year's season.

I enjoyed it very much last year and had no hesitation dishing out the dollars to see it again this year. No doubt that's partly the community reaction OA was banking on for its financial situation. I notice that OA has programmed Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'The King and I' for next year. When you're onto a good thing, stick to it.

The same principals (Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Lisa McCune) appear this year and thankfully the amplification issues that impeded Tahu Rhodes' performance last year seem to have been resolved so that the sound balance this time around was excellent. The next three principals are all changed from last year with Blake Bowden as Lt Cable, Gyton Grantley as Luther Billis and Christine Anu as Bloody Mary. All three are able, arguably superior, substitutes for their predecessors.

It remains a terrific production and I enjoyed it again immensely.

★★★★1/2

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