South Pacific

The warmth of the South Sea’s bathed Wellington with its canary yellow glow through the Rogers and Hammerstein’s romantic concoction of fun, passion, pathos and politics. The racist undercurrents that weave this piece together are difficult for the 21st Century audience to comprehend but Monica and her team created an idyllic vision with a dark undercurrent that explained the troubled times in which this musical is based. On opening night Nellie greeted us with her warm smile and sheer passion for life, falling hopelessly in love with her Emile, the older man who offers her the life she could never have imagined. These two were a perfect pairing, Emile sweeping Nellie and every lady of a certain age off her feet with his beautiful vocals. We then meet the handsome Lt Cable who certainly suited the uniform and hearts were a flutter yet again as he fell into the arms of the petite and pretty Liat. Singing to his sweetheart Lt Cable became the heart throb of the evening and the starlit beach clinch between he and Liat the main topic of conversation in the interval. This certainly had the woman’s touch in the directing stakes, every romantic or heart felt nuance was captured to the max for both couples.
Bloody Mary caused much hilarity along with the CBs who were in vocal harmony throughout. The boys were led by the sweet Luther Billis who sadly never won the girl but I’m sure captured some hearts with his cute grin. Nellie’s fellow nurses also had fun teasing and flirting. The darker elements were well balanced and brought the reality of what war and prejudice can do to taint the perfect world, but it also proved what really matters happiness and love.
The final scene was beautifully handled and the audible ‘Ah’ when Emile finally looked into Nellie’s eyes and took her hand was just perfect. Wellington certainly can handle romance….
 

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