My dear fellow Australians! If you’ve ever looked up into the night sky, located the southern cross and hoped to see a shooting star – you are searching for inspiration. Melbourne Theatre Company’s My Brilliant Career is all of this magic, and an answer to that wish. A spark to forward you into any desired direction, a story to light your way, and an experience to marvel at.
A brilliant team of cast members and creatives have built one of the most outstanding Australian productions that has ever hit the stage, and The Southbank Theatre is ablaze in a spectacularly controlled bushfire that should sweep our nation to ignite a drive in all and especially young minds for a bright future.
Based on the wildly acclaimed novel written in 1901 by Miles Franklin, Dean Bryant, Matthew Frank and Sheridan Harbridge have come together to create a masterpiece musical in My Brilliant Career.
Set in the late 19th century in outback Australia, the story follows the brave and creative Sybylla Melvyn (Kala Gare) who’s obedient mother (Christina O’Neil) and defeated father (Drew Livingston) believe she is “beyond help” with her outspoken nature and disregard for their direction and the social norms placed upon women at the time. Sybylla heavily believes in “the power of thought” and all she wants to do is to be heard and write stories. Growing up and farming in Possum Gully during a drought season, the family is struggling financially so forces Sybylla to move in with her grandmother (Ana Mitsikas), aunt and uncle back in Caddagat. Here, she lives a more refined lifestyle, feels more appreciation and acceptance as to who she is, and is able to pursue more of her creative pathways. Still pushing to make an artistic career however, she is met by the love pursuit of two suitors in posh Englishman Frank (Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward) and charming landowner Harry Beecham (Raj Labade). Dreaming of an independent life that is free from the expectations that a woman should marry for security rather than to pursue their ambition, Sybylla is “too clever for romance” and must make some difficult decisions in order to find her own way to success.
Throughout the story, this production deals with themes of social pressures, financial limitations, gender roles, identity and self expression, and the desire for the comforts of love versus the difficult pursuit of a freedom which can run incongruently. Mixed with modern touches, the strongest message of all is the one Sybylla headlines with “I am proud to be you!” shouting with the knowledge that no matter what is around her, no matter who is watching her, she does not need any approval to be exactly who she is. She turns doubt into drive and the determination to applaud and access her individualism. This line also encompasses everyone in the audience, giving a powerful lift that screams – this means you too. Walk with pride in who you are, and by being true to yourself “I might reach someone like me” and inspire them to follow their dreams, in the hope that everyone can live their life to their fullest potential.
Kala Gare as Sybylla Melvyn is an absolute rockstar. She creates an inspirational character that should be an icon to this generation and for future artists to come. Her vocals are beyond words and her contagious energy vibrates throughout the theatre as soon as she enters the stage to wonder us on those piano keys. With a presence that radiates positivity and encouragement throughout the entire show, you connect with her, feel her emotions and travel the story as a proud Australian. Watching Gare will have you sitting at the edge of your seat starry eyed and mouth open in awe as you see her spectacular, laugh alongside her and cheer as she stands atop a divinity that is in a wonderously lit rotating piano. She gives Sybylla a down to earth, life building power, and highlights the importance that having pride in yourself is harder than choosing love.
With the most incredibly talented team that performs alongside her, many cast members take on multiple roles as well as playing instruments. They are the story, the driving force and the band! Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward as Frank brings hilarious moments with perfect precision to all of his characters, not to mention his musicality on the strings. Raj Labade on stage is all charisma and swoon as he rocks out with his good looks and guitar wooing boat rides. Christina O’Neil and Drew Livingston often playing beautifully contrasting pairs together add a sense of genuine sincerity that pulls at both the heartstrings, and the smiles in fun. Lincoln Elliott commits to the much loved comedy, bringing expression and life, just as Melanie Bird brings both the innocence and the modern sass we all can enjoy.
Director Anne-Louise Sarks, together with musical director Victoria Falconer, choreographer Amy Campbell and their team have created this production of My Brilliant Career that Sybylla herself could only describe as being “so exquisite it’s almost pain”. Everything is designed intricately with thoughts that clearly add to the show as a whole. The lighting is precise, creating an emphasis in magic as special moments occur, and the costumes allow you to truly experience each character. You walk out humming the memorable music, and hear an echo of the lyrics in that beloved Aussie accent.
An artistic inspiration, this show is addictive in inspiration, deliciously insane and will allow you to know that even if you feel like you are the piano that “plays a C sharp instead of a C, like me” you can learn to play in the right key just as you are.
My Brilliant Career has performances at The Southbank Theatre until the 28th of Feb where it will then go on tour. Don’t miss an empowering experience in the hay, with falling flowers, floating letters and a perfectly picturesque starry night sky.
