When words fail, music speaks—a sentiment that forms the very core of The Heartbreak Choir. With a blend of comedy and pathos, the late, great Australian playwright Aidan Fennessy, explores the transformative power of music and the enduring bonds of friendship.
A sisterhood of strong-willed women find solace in one another as they break away from the town's main choir in a rebellious act. Song is their therapy and refuge in this small Australian town, where everyone knows everybody's business and support and scrutiny intertwine. The arrival of a grieving widower and his troubled son marks a turning point. Old wounds and truths are revealed and new connections are forged. The true healing begins. Our Aussie ability to laugh through pain whilst trading barbed witticisms, is a kind of humour that can seem harsh, or strange to the outside world, but is more often than not born from a deep affection and understanding. These women have seen it all. They sing it all. Some emotions are too profound for ordinary words. This is when the 7 strong ensemble and themes truly shine.
Valerie Bader is Barbara, who is all about connection. She is the town's psychiatrist, friend, and anchor. Women like her are of course, a force to be reckoned with, running the choir, running lives and inevitably, running for the local council. Barbara is both grounded and flawed, and Bader provides a steady presence amidst the comedic chaos.
Georgeina Symes plays Totty, a perpetually left-of-centre, old-family ruralite. This is a challenging role, requiring a delicate balance of eccentricity and relatability. Totty was born into casual wealth, and the divide is sometimes keenly felt. More of a comedic foil than a dramatic character, her hilarious inability to "read the room" provides plenty of off beat asides and punchlines.
Tyallah Bullock delivers a restrained performance as Savannah, a complex and enigmatic teenager on the brink of independence. Her portrayal of selective mutism and possible autism highlights the character's internal struggles and external isolation. Her chemistry with her shoot from the hip mother Mack (an authentic, very funny and strong performance by Carita Farrer Spencer) is particularly affecting. A generational gap can be a loving and supportive bond. Mack's a walking contradiction, soft-hearted yet hard-headed and Spencer's comedic timing is spot-on.
Nancy Denis delivers a standout performance as Aseni, a devout Christian and Zimbabwean doctor who fearlessly challenges the Aussie status quo with her sharp intellect and indomitable spirit. Juggling a third-term pregnancy, a dead-end deli job with deadpan humour, and biting one-liners, she effortlessly balances grit and wit. This role is a gift.
Jay Laga’aia delivers a poignant performance as Peter, the burly cop with a gentle soul and a commanding voice. Grappling with the loss of his wife to mental health, he finds comfort and a sense of renewal through the choir. Laga'aia is genuine in his vulnerability and how his grief unfolds, making it deeply relatable. His scene with Bader is a gentle respite from the comedy. His son, Beau, played by Jasper Lee-Lindsay, does a lovely job of gradually shaking off the clichés of Generation Z apathy, revealing a young man who is simply lost and searching for his place in the world after losing his mum.
Fennessy's posthumous play is at its core, a bittersweet exploration of loss, solidarity, and reconciliation. Beneath its humorous exterior lies a darker undercurrent, as the characters grapple with historic abuse and the devastating impact of suicide. There are a lot of laughs. There are also some tears. While Director Anna Ledwich tackles the heavy hitting themes head on, it often leans into borderline hyperbole. These tonal fluctuations, while engaging, sometimes eclipse the deep dive. The beauty of the a cappella songs under the direction of Sally Whitwell, carry most of the weight of the emotional impact. A nitty gritty and unfiltered scene before Act 2's denouement could have propelled it to a greater cathartic height.
Ultimately, The Heartbreak Choir offers a hopeful and uplifting message, celebrating the power of connection and the resilience of the human spirit. It's the perfect show to kick start your Christmas season.
See https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/the-heartbreak-choir/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDDg1HLHo3O0eb_11VwXGLCp38TtcoA5eWHjS7O0diOnYyweRDb0OP8aAmSYEALw_wcB#cast for further information
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