Not Finished With You Yet is an energetic romp through a world where governments have passed a mandatory divorce law meaning all marriages must end after 13 years. Written and Composed by Dick Gross AM, the world premiere of this new Australian musical plays at The Alex Theatre in St Kilda as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Two hours of upbeat entertainment unfolds as the characters explore what it means for their marriages, and how to navigate the new territory the law presents them with. Most couples willingly embrace the law with overt enthusiasm and a hefty dollop of marital passive aggressiveness. While main characters Kate and Rupert march resolutely, but resentfully, towards a future that demands they separate at the cost of their love.
All this is explored and celebrated through a hefty amount of choreography and over a dozen original songs.
Upon walking into the theatre you are struck by the incredibly imaginative and engaging set design. Very few, myself included, are immune to not snapping a quick picture before they take their seats. Once the show starts the set comes alive as it morphs and transforms.
Hidden compartments subtly swallow costume changes, panels swing centre stage that only moments before were seemingly solid. Accordion panels become walls, doors, rooms and more. The stage itself is a supporting character that allows the audience to engage in the story unfolding. It is marvellously done.
Deft use of multimedia and imagery project onto the stage in specific and intelligently blocked patterns. It captures the audience’s curiosity and is seamless in its execution.
The characters are specific and the actors play them valiantly. Costume design is subtle, but nails its task as each character is embodied in the quirks of a french tucked top, the slink of a sexy fabric across the body or the effervescence of an outfit of a stressed-out teen. We know who the characters are, and what they value, by what they wear. The specificity that went into costume design shows high attention to detail, it is very much appreciated.
The story is easy to follow, with only a few lingering questions left unanswered. It does take suspending disbelief to enjoy this world, but as with most musicals, it’s worth it.
The performers are obviously operating at a high level in their craft and most have a definitive moment to shine in the show. Whether it’s Alexia Brinsley as Kate’s single sister Maria navigating each scene with commitment and aplomb, or Cristina D’Agostino as Betty seemingly, effortlessly, channelling Liza Minnelli in the ‘Hit the Bottle’ number – you won’t be disappointed. The women in this show Deliver with a capital ‘D’.
While whimsical in moments, Not Finished With You Yet is not for those with delicate sensibilities. The F-bomb is dropped at a rate Gordon Ramsey would be proud of. The show crams in various subject matter, from the suggested amount of lubricant for great sex for those in menopause, strap-ons, wombs for rent, drunken sex and quite literal toilet humour – not too much is left unexplored.
Memorable flashbacks from the show include the fun and frisky ‘Urinal Lamentation’ song as performed by Matthew Hamilton, Matt Heyward and Alec Gilbert, a grounded and believable performance by Lauren Gunson as 15-year-old daughter Ella, and a beautifully moving Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 that delicately displays the cast’s harmonies.
Not Finished With You Yet is obvious in its Australian-isms, and an enjoyable frisky afternoon or evening at the theatre.
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