Melbourne

What a show! It’s a little bit like a fantastic audio-book with songs and an incredible two person cast having us all holding on for the ending we hope to be. Based on the novel by Jean Webster, the musical of Daddy Long Legs deserved the long applause it received for the Peoples Playhouse Theatre on opening night!

My friend and I sat front row as community theatre gives you that chance to see a show up close and personal, something you cannot get (without a big ticket price) at the professional shows in the city and the talent on stage is no less fabulous. Productions in community theatre are very often insanely good and this one is no exception (at an extremely reasonable ticket price). It’s worth the trip to Mornington even if you don’t live in the area (like me).

Firstly, note-worthy as you go in the door, are the Programs; displayed intriguingly by being in a pile of old-fashioned envelopes complete with a ‘red wax seal’. A very creative member of the team has designed them like a letter of importance at the turn of the century, where this story is set. I love getting the written programs as keepsakes for all the shows I go to and this one is definitely the most unique.

I watched the movie of Daddy Long Legs as a child and, though that was a very long time ago, I remember it well because as a dancer I loved Fred Astaire. There’s no dancing in this musical, but I knew the story well and watching it come to life on stage through script and songs and the art of letter writings recited between the characters made it so beautifully vivid.

Jordi Poyser plays Jervis Pendleton, with his rich family heritage, and Madeline Connolly plays Jerusha Abbott, the oldest orphan in the orphanage, who is given thankful opportunity to study to become a writer with all expenses paid until graduation by an unknown-to-her kindly benefactor ‘Mr Smith’ (of course this is none other than Jervis but she will not discover that for a while). Jerusha will be able to write letters to Mr Smith to tell him how she is going, but he informs in his offer that he will not write to her.

A pitch perfect opening by Madeline (whom I hadn’t seen before) – her gift in voice either singing or speaking to portray any aspect of musical theatre is immediately noticeable and she will only go from strength to strength in this character; she gives it her all from wide-eyed astonishment and giggles to the most real tears I’ve seen on stage this year. She is simply amazing!

Jordi is, as he always is, exceptionally talented (third time I’ve seen him), but this role is definitely more than a little different to the usual script in that the characters are not able to truly inter`act` with each other on the stage. The two of them cannot look at one another directly because they are reading their respective letters in a different place, whereby using their ‘own side’ of the stage set. Both Jordi and Madeline must be sure not to have any actual interaction; this would have been probably quite difficult to get used to. Instead they have to trust one another’s delivery of their lines, lines and more lines until their final scene.

The script is indeed extensive, the art of letter writing is a dying form and naturally Jerusha is an accomplished letter-writer so that in itself is lovely to listen to and yes, Jordi and Madeline have a LOT of lines; in their reading of the letters and also in expressing out loud their thoughts of how the receiver on the other end will perceive those letters. On paper one can envisage anything, but there’s a much bigger story to tell outside of penned words. Both actors get this message across undoubtedly well. Jervis in particular has a number of very funny moments we laugh at in his reaction to reading the words in front of him.

Through her letters to her benefactor, Jerusha will enlighten Mr Smith as to what she is learning in her studies, what she likes and what she does not, who she is friends with and who she is not, what she is excited for and what she is not and how she would love to meet him in person. In return, Jervis (Mr Smith) will eventually respond (through his supposed secretary), but you will need to go and see the show for more answers… will Jerusha find out much about Jervis’ real identity, how will she relate to him if she does one day finally see this ‘old’ man, and, her screaming question – is he bald?

Three exceptional musicians; Damien Mizzi on piano, Frank Nigro on guitar and Lore Burns on cello, make up everyone to be on-stage for the whole show and although you cannot fully see this talented trio at the back of the divided set between Jerusha’s lodgings and Jervis’ accurately dated office, I do think it’s nice to have the music playing live there with a peek at their work close range; just adds that extra personal closeness to what again only community theatre can really provide.

Congratulations to Director, Leah Osburn, and Musical Director, Damien Mizzi, we loved our night out and thank you immensely for taking the time to produce this unusual ‘rags to riches’ show in the way you have. I think that the ‘secret of happiness’ is seeing shows like this one (and I actually do believe you could make it into a musical audio-book). Everyone in the audience felt the connection and I heard another 3-4 guests say in the foyer it was nothing like they expected and was so very good!

Highly recommended: Daddy Long Legs playing 8-16 November 2024

Ticket Link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1248996

Venue: 4 Albert St, Mornington: The Anglican Centre – Mornington and Mount Martha Anglican Church. Flat floor seating, but the stage is raised. Easy free parking right next door. They operated a canteen at interval and tea/coffee by gold coin donation.

Look out also for the next show and auditions: https://www.peoplesplayhouse.com/home

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