Fab Nobs Theatre have pulled one out-of-the-box with their production FUN HOME. A rare opportunity to witness.
I hadn’t seen Fab Nobs before. Little Bayswater theatre amongst factories indeed a surprise! Easy to get to, easy to park and close to home YAY! ‘Fab’ canteen bonus including bar and cheaply priced snack ‘platters’ YUM! Individual tables set up in front of stage, tiered seating in back, good views from both – stage raised.
Set was a huge detailed one-room wall-to-wall cartoon drawing. Made sense after learning this is a true story about a lesbian cartoonist and her father. Her father, Bruce, is also gay, but has not had the forthcoming option of social acceptance. Hence he married a woman, had three kids with her (including ‘Alison’) and he lived a life of secret wanting whilst being a high school teacher also running the family funeral business from home – the FUN HOME. Add a sizeable coffin on set and get ready for silly fun with singing and dancing AND point-blank serious conversations and self-talk.
When reading the synopsis, I became particularly interested to see how this storyline held within it a Tony winning ‘musical’. Suicide tragedy in a ‘musical’ is always questionable to me. I don’t know why. This is in fact the second show I’ve seen in as many weeks strongly containing such devastation, though the other was a sombre play. Noteworthy in both cases, audience was full!
We often hear that ‘right now’ is the best time to be gay. Acceptance is prevalent as it should be and teenagers tell me ‘cool to be gay’ is common. I’m so pleased for gay people that this is the current possible reality, to live freely, but when cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir was staged, it would have certainly been a more confronting topic in 2013. Now, over 10 years later, most of us likely think nothing of meeting, knowing and loving gay people. Either way, FUN HOME is highly relevant, back then and today.
The way in which this story is scripted for Bruce’s and Alison’s journey is through adult Alison remembering her past, while drawing what she ‘recollects’ in her mind and trying to ‘caption’ each picture. It’s extremely cleverly done; making thoughtful sense of what it was like in real life for them, for many.
Alison’s mother, two brothers, Alison’s love interest when she gets to college, and an intermittent love interest for Bruce make up the cast.
‘Alison’ played by ROSA McCARTY. Rosa is fantastic in this role. She works alongside ‘Small’ and ‘Medium’ Alisons like they are one. Different time zones, but the way in which Rosa ‘doesn’t’ interact almost says she will. She wants to. She is truly there, back then, inside a memory like time-travel.
‘Small Alison’ (as child) played by 11yo MILA ORCHARD. This girl has natural acting ability way beyond her years. She trains min.10 hours weekly refining her craft. She’s a singer. She’s a dancer. Already receiving awards and nominations, watch this space as Mila grows up! She can already conquer a solo song like a pro.
‘Medium Alison’ (in college) played by EMILIE HOYNE. When finishing her Primary Education degree, Emilie seeks to be a performing arts teacher. Any school would be lucky to have her! I hope she also stays present in theatre. Discussions with her on-stage parents in this role required the utmost maturity and exceptional skill. Singing ‘Changing my Major’, we loved her comical enthusiasm. Amazing talent!
‘Bruce’ (Alison’s father) played by MICHAEL GRAY. Last time I saw Michael acting on stage was in a very different production (Legally Blonde) so this role encompasses his extraordinary versatility. A gay man himself he notes in the Fab Nobs informative program that he feels a deep connection to Bruce’s inner life. I imagine he has the character genuinely at heart and wanting to do Bruce justice as he gives an award worthy performance – I hope it is realized. Michael is opera trained with an extensive array of principal roles past. I look forward very much to seeing more of his work.
‘Helen’ (Bruce’s wife) played by NATASHA BASSETT. Well done! Natasha brought this challenging character’s turmoil forefront in being the ‘straight’ spouse.
‘Roy’/others (Bruce’s gay interest) played by SHANE PRITCHARD. Shane has long listed credited shows. He could play anyone I’m sure. He’s extremely believable and this role may have extended him outside usual comfort zones.
‘Joan’ (Alison’s love) played by ANNA BEARSLEY. Anna has immediately noticeable stand-out confidence, so I read with no surprise she has multiple nominations for MTGV/Lyrebird Awards. Big future ahead for this girl!
‘Christian’ (brother of Alison) played by RAPH HJORTH. Stage School Australia where he started can be proud of this student and his continuing vocal training shows in stamina to sing and dance at same time. Good job Christian!
‘John’ (youngest brother) played by ELLIOTT HAYES. Age 9, 4th Fab Nobs production. He may very well grow up here; great place cultivating talent having opportunity early in very special productions. Elliott had fantastic reactiveness with his on stage siblings (probably had lots of fun at rehearsals too).
Congrats Director Richard Perdriau, Musical Director Olivia Sweeney, Choreographer Amber Orchard, President Sally McKenzie and all their creatives and behind the scenes team. We thoroughly enjoyed FUN HOME – even my hubby was nostalgic on ‘airplane’ memories. Thank you everyone!
As someone said, got tissues?
To book tickets to Fun Home, please visit https://www.fabnobstheatre.com.au/fun-home/.
Photographer: Craig Wetjen (John Travers Photography)
