After our recent People
Profile about Grace Haslinghouse, we had the pleasure of seeing the UMMTA
performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Sarah and Beth went to the show without having seen
or even heard of the original 1967 film starring Julie Andrews and had no idea
what it was about, except that it was set in 1920s in Manhattan, New York and
based around the tales of Millie Dillmount.
It began as what seemed
like a very typical take on the American Dream; optimistic girl moves to big
city in search of a new life for herself. However there is a clever shift in
the viewpoint, making the storyline more relatable and leaving you with no
choice but to love all of the characters immediately.
The cast was so enchanting
and vibrant, there was not a dull moment. They worked together in such unity
and the intimate setting of the theatre allowed you to really appreciate their
hilarious expressions and energy. Absent was the sense that they were a group
of Aussie uni students as their unfaltering New York accents and well designed
set transported us straight into the Big Apple. Every actor brought something
exciting to the stage, all complementing each other nicely. It’s hard to say
that there were stand outs, however the oriental villainess 'Mrs Meers' played
by Niamh O’Keeffe and young
Mille Dillmount played by Grace Haslinghouse must be mentioned.
The audience was in fits of laughter whenever Niamh was on stage due to her
dramatic energy and genuine funniness. Grace’s take on Millie showcased her
stunning voice, and really communicated the independent yet clumsy nature of
the lead female role. We found her so easy to relate to and Millie's subtle
facial expressions made the performance really fun to watch.
We thoroughly enjoyed our night at the show and can't recommend it
enough, the tickets won't cost you the earth and it's a delight to be
transported to a world of dreamy businessmen, fun-loving flappers and big city
dreams.
There are two nights left,
so get in quick. (You can purchase your tickets here)
- Beth and Sarah
.
*Photos by Ben Fon
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