This is a bit of a different review. For my previous reviews, it has been shows that I have watched, that I am reviewing with a focus on the music. However, as I am playing in the pit for this show, I have a somewhat biased and different perspective from that as an audience member.
Captain Moonlite is a new Australian musical by Jye Bryant, that looks at the story of the Australian bushranger, based on his unpublished letters. It aims to show his bushranging as a product of circumcances that he never intended to start, but led to an unfortunate ending.
The music of Captain Moonlite is heavily inspired by Irish folk music. This Melville Theatre production has had its orchestration expanded by Music Director Nick Navarra, who also plays accordion for the show, which adds this beautiful timbre to the songs, adding to the folk nature of the shows, whilst also adding a large amount of depth. Daniel Nievelstein plays keyboards, adding soft underscoring where required, and at times bluesy improvisations over vamps. Talitha Broughton boosts the Celtic factor with her masterful Irish Flute and Whistles, where I particularly like the added expression of the endings of notes that she adds. Ruby Martin adds the low end with the double bass, while Katie Waterhouse plays the Bodhrán and other percussion (where a lot of the expanded orchestration occurs). The bodhrán adds a fantastic driving rhythm for many of the songs, and the choice to add in glockenspiel, mark tree, and a very important ACME whistle adds in some beautiful textures for key moments. Ben Clapton (aka me) adds Irish fiddle styling to help round out the sound.
The show features many songs that highlight the Irish roots of this orchestration, with songs like Find Your Four Leaf Clover playing the role of a rollicking jig that encourages the players as they decide to leave Melbourne to head towards Sydney. What A Man Should Be adds some venom in the accompaniment pattern as Scott works through his experiences of the failings of others that led him to his path. And a beautiful duet of Anywhere but Here as Scott and Nesbitt dream of what their life could be after they get out of gaol.
Jamie Lea plays the title role of George Scott, sharing his story and never leaving the stage. He portrays a strong, defiant Irishman, whose circumstances and beliefs led him down this path, and also brings out his expression in a highly emotive scene. Corban Featon plays the role of James Nesbitt, Scott’s male lover and fellow outlaw. Featon brings out the softness of Scott, and brilliantly brings out the emotion of his past with Bouverie Street. The rest of the cast play multiple roles to help tell the story. As for much of this, I’m playing vioin, I won’t comment on their performances.
Melville Theatre should be congratulated for being willing to take on a new Australian musical. The story is great, and a wonderful exploration of this part of Australian history. It has great music and is a show that people should feel confident to take a risk on.
Captain Moonlite runs at Melville Theatre Company until August 15. Tickets are available through Trybooking. Be sure to get there early to enjoy the band playing a set of Irish tunes before the show.
There was a cast. They performed well.
Ben Clapton 