Arts Nexus

[Eve]

Tomfoolery by Cairns Little Theatre
written by Tom Lehrer
directed by Kevin and Narelle Shorey

late February 2008 at Rondo Theatre, Cairns

review by Hazel Menehira

Tomfoolery celebrates the work of a satirist who wanted to stay in adolescence to void sliding down the razor blade of life. Luckily for us Tom Lehrer retained his slightly off centre humour writing comic lyrics even when he had a ‘real job’ as a mathematics professor at Harvard..

Cairns Little Theatre and show directors Narelle and Kevin Shorey deserve praise for staging this revue which gives today’s audiences an entertaining parody view of the 50’s and 60’s and the opportunity to reflect on the folly’s, problems and vices of mankind, through laughter song and music.

We who lived through the flower power, peace and love revolution attending folk festival concerts with earnest sincerity tingled with delight to laugh at ourselves in an era revived through Lehrer’s clever lyrics. Younger patrons could identify with digs at religion, discrimination, war, and aspects of social behaviour like binge drinking because they are topics which are still relevant today.

The coordinated orange and black setting highlighted the stage area with Jo-Anne Kemp musical director) on keyboard as the central focal point. The area was used for well planned fluid movement activity by the cast of eight Sharee Baker, Gill Birch, Shawn Brack, Rose Chenard, Judy Gittings, James Hoare Patrice Hogan and Tim Marsh to maximise audience viewing. Simple costume additions were carefully selected adding interest and variation to each number of the medley selection which was often unpredictable in sequence.

Whilst all the cast showed understanding of the style demanded for the show, some individual numbers met with warmer response when the zest, expertise, and vocal energy of a performer met the full potential of the lyrics.

Shawn Brack shone throughout and The Elements patter song, (very Gilbert and Sullivan) was impressive, as was Rose Chenard’s masterly The Masochism Tango. Her versatility was displayed in the contrasting The Irish Ballad. Great humour provided in this number by the facial expressions of her back up chorus team. Patrice Hogan has a true and flexible voice which maintained Lehrer’s style all evening. Sharee Baker has a warm approach and her voice was well suited for the gentle Silent E. She teamed well with both the spirited James Hoare and proficient Tim Marsh in several numbers, as did Judy Gittings. The latter has energy in reserve which added to the verve and zest of her numbers. Not unappreciated were the minor cameos of mirth created by Sharee Baker and full marks to Tim Marsh for his very David Attenborough introduction to The Hunting Song.

Carefully articulated words are the key to such satire and when used with satirically designed accompaniment success is assured. The understated treatment of The Old Dope Pedlar by Jo-Anne Kemp was winner.

Satire today is not what it once was. The etymology from the Latin - as a stuffing for the roast, can be traced to the full disc platter of mixed fruits for a rural god, and later to pranks ascribed to the satyrs. Thanks to Tom Lehrer’s prankish mind and C.L.T. we experienced a night of wit and camouflaged irony by a skilled strategist.

Hazel Menehira