With its cast leaving the stage with one last standing ovation from the crowd (I can confirm this as I was actually in said crowd), the Queensland/Brisbane leg of Anything Goes has today concluded at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Lyric Theatre. This follows a three-week run, where talent including Caroline O’Connor (Reno Sweeney), Alex Rathgeber (Billy Crocker), Tod McKenney (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Wayne Scott Kermond (Moonface Martin) and Debora Krizak (Erma) among many others entertained crowds with high-energy performances of memorable songs including ‘Anything Goes’, ‘It’s DeLovely’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’ and ‘Friendship’ (Four of my personal favourites).
This latest Australian production is now going to be off-stage for around half a month, as the team prepares for their next leg at the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre from September 5 to October 11.
Anything Goes received a respectable score of ★★★★ out of five when I reviewed the show’s Opening Night at QPAC. Personal highlights of Anything Goes included the music and the overall performance quality – both receiving a strong ★★★★☆ out of five for individual categories. You can read my overall conclusion of the show below:
While seeing the show does come with a risk of spending several days with the titular song incessantly playing in your head on a loop, Anything Goes proved to be an overall entertaining show that I think has something to offer both younger and older audiences. Memorable songs and quirky writing aside, the shining star of this production was the cast, who managed to bring life to both the show and its characters.
In addition to my review, you can also read interviews with director Dean Bryant and performer Debora Krizak.
So whats next for QPAC’s Lyric Theatre? Following a rather quiet rest of the month, it is set to play host to Strictly Ballroom the Musical starting on September 9 2015 for a six week season. Expect more news and articles on this show leading into its official Queensland launch.
