December 8, 2011
Set during World War II, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific tells two separate love stories that each challenge the prejudices of inter-racial relationships in the 1940s. The main story involves a small-town American girl called Nellie Forbush (Samantha Womack), working as a nurse for the American military on the South Pacific island of Guadalcanal. She meets a Frenchman named Emile de Becque (Jason Howard), a widower. Previously married to a Polynesian woman, Emile has two mixed-race children.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joseph Cable falls for an island girl named Liat. Both Nellie and Joseph struggle with their feelings of love, and confusion about the prejudices they have (formed during their pre-war lives and experiences in America where segregation between blacks and whites still existed).
These two love stories are woven into the background of the Americans fighting the Japanese post Pearl Harbour. There is relief from these heavier themes with comedy interludes from Bloody Mary, an entrepreneurial island woman who maximises the business potential provided by thousands of American sailors and marines; and Luther Billis, the opportunistic chancer seeking any chance of getting a boat-trip to Bali Ha’i (the nearby island) to meet some dames.
This production is well directed and has a particularly strong cast and the musical numbers are delivered with great skill. South Pacific has many well-known songs, including ‘There is Nothin’ Like A Dame’, ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, and ‘Happy Talk’. In particular here, Billis (Alex Ferns) and the sailors truly bring gusto and comedy to their rendition of ‘There is Nothin’ Like a Dame’, successfully raising the tempo of the show and helping in the portrayal of the male-dominated, bustling, lively island. Another highlight is the shower scene in which Nellie tells her friends, ‘I’m Gonna Wash Than Man Right Outa My Hair’; Samantha Womack shines in this role, memorably brought to life by Mitzi Gaynor in the 1958 film. The talent within the supporting cast is truly noticeable; their singing and choreographed routines are slick and delivered extremely well.
The clever set design, period costume, dramatic lighting and sound help establish a great atmosphere, and on a cold December evening in Oxford, the tropical feeling created will be warmly appreciated.
A definite must-see for all lovers of musicals.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joseph Cable falls for an island girl named Liat. Both Nellie and Joseph struggle with their feelings of love, and confusion about the prejudices they have (formed during their pre-war lives and experiences in America where segregation between blacks and whites still existed).
These two love stories are woven into the background of the Americans fighting the Japanese post Pearl Harbour. There is relief from these heavier themes with comedy interludes from Bloody Mary, an entrepreneurial island woman who maximises the business potential provided by thousands of American sailors and marines; and Luther Billis, the opportunistic chancer seeking any chance of getting a boat-trip to Bali Ha’i (the nearby island) to meet some dames.
This production is well directed and has a particularly strong cast and the musical numbers are delivered with great skill. South Pacific has many well-known songs, including ‘There is Nothin’ Like A Dame’, ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’, and ‘Happy Talk’. In particular here, Billis (Alex Ferns) and the sailors truly bring gusto and comedy to their rendition of ‘There is Nothin’ Like a Dame’, successfully raising the tempo of the show and helping in the portrayal of the male-dominated, bustling, lively island. Another highlight is the shower scene in which Nellie tells her friends, ‘I’m Gonna Wash Than Man Right Outa My Hair’; Samantha Womack shines in this role, memorably brought to life by Mitzi Gaynor in the 1958 film. The talent within the supporting cast is truly noticeable; their singing and choreographed routines are slick and delivered extremely well.
The clever set design, period costume, dramatic lighting and sound help establish a great atmosphere, and on a cold December evening in Oxford, the tropical feeling created will be warmly appreciated.
A definite must-see for all lovers of musicals.