Theatre Review: South Pacific
AD: This Press Night Review refers to the 2022 Touring Production of South Pacific at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham*
My first – and last – experience of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific was an (unintentionally) hilarious amateur production, so I was looking to forward to seeing what the professionals could do. And this was a top-notch professional production.
This is a striking reinvention of the classic show, first premiered on Broadway in 1949 and adapted as a film ten years later. Over summer 2022 it had a well-reviewed run at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and now it’s touring with many of the West End cast reprising their roles. South Pacific is probably best known for its score. After all it is jam packed with recognisable songs, including “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Happy Talk” and “There is Nothing Like A Dame”.
Set during World War II, South Pacific has two complex love stories at its heart. Naive American nurse Nellie Forbush (Gina Beck) – a self-professed “Cockeyed Optimist” – falls in love with French plantation owner Emile de Becque (Julian Ovenden), but battles with accepting his past. Meanwhile, Bloody Mary (Joanna Ampil) is trying to find an American suitor for her daughter Liat (Sera Maehara). US Marine Lieutenant Joseph Cable (Rob Houchen) falls in love with Liat, but cannot see a happy future for them as man and wife.
Both relationships are threatened by war, prejudice and culture clashes. Military missions replace romance. And we see an ugly side to our heroine Nellie, displaying a prejudice that seems contrary to her playful character.
As the weather turns decidedly autumnal outside, the warm lighting and the sound of the gently crashing waves carry me to the white sandy beaches of the South Pacific. The set, designed by Peter Mackintosh, transforms seamlessly between naval base, plantation and the mystical island of Bali Ha’i. Every inch of the stage is used, occasionally dwarfing the performers. It’s also lovely to see a revolve used on the Alex stage, rarely seen.
Visually and vocally beautiful, director Daniel Evans hasn’t deconstructed the original, but has tried to create a more contemporary version. Many of the exchanges regarding racial injustice are still sadly relevant today, and in particular the progressive lyrics of “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught”.
Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden have beautiful chemistry together, and are well able to convey their immediate attraction. Beck has a wonderful voice, and it seems like the part of ditsy Nellie was written especially for her. Ovenden is smouldering and seductive, which means we can gloss over some of Emile’s slightly creepy chat-up lines. His tortured rendition on “This Nearly Was Mine” is a show-stealing performance.
Joanna Ampil convincingly portrays two sides to Bloody Mary, the sharp businesswoman and the desperate mother. Show-stealing Douggie McMeekin brings comic relief as the wheeling-and-dealing Luther Billis. His “Honey Bun” routine is a particular highlight.
The love scene between the almost silent Liat and Joseph is beautifully choreographed by Ann Yee, and it is no surprise to read that Sera Maehara is a trained dancer. It is fitting that her lyrical dances both open and close the show. In fact all of the dance numbers are wonderfully executed, particularly the infectious “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair” performed by the ensemble of nurses with gusto. They have a swimwear collection to die for.
This may be billed as a musical comedy, but South Pacific covers some heavy subjects. The first act is long at almost 90 minutes, with a lot of scene setting and exposition before you even get chance to care about the characters. A later start than billed due to last-minute safety checks meant that we didn’t get out of the theatre until well after 10:30pm.
South Pacific is a classic musical theatre show, and this top notch cast brings the best out of this classic score.
South Pacific is at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 17th September 2022.
Photo credits: Johan Persson
