City of Angels - Reviews!
City of Angels was reviewed in both major Melbourne papers on Monday 11 December.
Kate Herbert writing in the Herald Sun
"...Doggett is compelling as Stine, with a rich, soaring voice. His rendition of Double Talk and of Stine's solo Funny were riveting.
His duo with Stringer, You're Nothing Without Me, was exhilarating and impassioned.
Stringer plays Stone with a laconic ease, though his character is more downbeat than suave and sexy.
Harber has a feline, seductive quality in her twin sex-kitten roles.
Minster sings the lament of the secretaries, You Can Always Count on Me, with great conviction.
There is a good support cast in Sarah Louise Younger, Paul Gartside, Margaret Paul and Jeremy Hopkins.
The Angel City Quartet, singing the chorus numbers, is to be commended for it's truth to the '40s style. The seven-piece band, under Adrian Portell, was tight and polished.
...director Peter Mattessi has created a charming show."
This from Martin Ball in The Age.
"...Broadway musicals are generally about bigger is better, so it's a surprise to see this show produced by one of Melbourne's many small independent companies, Just Pretending, and staged in the intimate environs of fortyfivedownstairs.
It's a feat even of the imagination to fit a cast of 15 and a five-piece band into this space, but it mostly works, and all credit to director Peter Mattesi.
Mark Doggett and Tom Stringer are strong as Stine and Stone respectively. Doggett has a clear and confident singing voice and Stringer revels in his deadpan one-liners. Their duet, You're Nothing Without Me, is the show's highlight.
Jane Harber is excellent as the devious and sexy Alaura Kingsley, with a look that demands attention and commands obedience.
Nicolette Minster brings dignity and character to the wallflower roles of Oolie and Donna with her fine vocal delivery.
...City of Angels is a great chance to see a recent Broadway musical. And at $30 a ticket, it's affordable too."