From “Rip It Up”
Issue 982, May 8-14, 2008
How to Succeed in Show Business – From Someone Who’s Really Trying
Queen’s Arms Hotel, Sat May 3
Adelaide’s own divine diva, Johanna Allen, played to a packed house of enthusiastic and exceptionally appreciative fans. In a way, this was something of a temporary farewell performance as Allen is leaving Oz, the real country, to go to Oz, the imaginary one, taking part in Wicked, the musical that looks at life in the Merry Old Land Of Oz long before the arrival of Dorothy and her dreadful weapon, the house of Witch Destruction.
Allen took the chance to sing a song from the show, one that she does not actually get to sing in the production, as part of the performance. And what a performance! From gentle ballads to riotously funny numbers, and all points in between, Allen showed just how amazingly versatile a performer she is. Her thoughtful rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s Nothing’s Gonna Harm You from Sweeney Todd, was a standout. Humorous patter introduced each song, with the occasional bit of banter with Matthew Carey adding to the laughs.
It takes a lot of skill, training, practice and talent to play the piano well, but even the greatest pianists do not often make good accompanists. That is a genre apart, and one that Carey fits into perfectly. Allen certainly knows how to choose her musical company. Carey not only plays piano, but also sings duets and harmony lines, making him an invaluable asset to any performance. As if that is not enough, the Ruby Frost Quartet joins them in the second half where, among many other items, Allen adds a little spice to Bizet’s Carmen as she and the string quartet try hard to keep straight faces as they present an intricate juxtaposition of styles.
Great songs and musical accompaniment, clever comedy, Allen’s bright, effervescent personality and a top polished performance made this a top night out.
Barry Lenny.
Tags: Barry Lenny, Bizet, Carmen, How to Succeed in Cabaret, Johanna Allen, Matthew Carey, Rip it Up, Ruby Frost Quartet, Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd, Wicked
