Left – Luigi Lucente and Hilary Cole. over – Hilary Cole and Luigi Lucente. Photos – Noni Carroll.Recent sex abuse scandals in the Australian Defence Force point to a troubling, long term and deep seated set of attitudes towards women. Last year we heard of the Jedi Council email sex scandal in which pornographic images of women, taken without their consent, were disseminated through the military email system. The year before that was the Skype sex scandal.
These events have shone a light on a culture of misogyny within the military which is not exclusive to the Australian military. The unflinching response by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, was unique however. His now famous YouTube post, which went viral internationally, sent a message to anyone in the armed forces who thinks that sort of behaviour is acceptable that they should get out.
“No one has ever explained to me how the exploitation or degradation of others enhance capabilities or honours the tradition of the Australian Army life … those who think it is OK to behave in a way that demeans or exploits their colleagues have no place in this army … If that doesn’t suit you then get out. You may find other employers where your attitude and behaviour is acceptable but I doubt it.”
That Benj Pasek, Justin Paul (music and Lyrics) and Peter Duchan (book) might use misogyny in the U.S. armed forces as a topic for a musical might seem curious, but they have created a resoundingly wonderful work that is thoughtful, funny, sad, romantic and has number after number of sensational songs.
The opening two numbers in Dogfight had the whole audience whistling and hooting their applause. It started small, with Hillary Cole’s crystalline voice singing a folksy, acoustic solo, and segues into a high octane routine by the boys from the marines. Snazzily choreographed by Camilla Jakimowicz, the boys’ sublime harmonising channels the tight harmonies of the early 1960s with groups like the Temptations and The Four Seasons. It’s a great start and immediately sums up one of the main themes of the show: the wholesome, romanticised American naiveté, embodied in the music of the boy bands, versus a new consciousness from the counter culture ideas emerging from the West Coast protest movement that is embodied in folk music.
These boys are poor kids who are proud to have made it into the elite ranks of the marines. Some of them have followed in their fathers’ footsteps. Having survived the famously gruelling 16 week boot camp, they are pumped. With their new status, they strut around with a “Masters of the Universe” attitude in Some Kinda Time, promising to raise hell. Underlying their bravado, however, is their consciousness they are shipping out to Vietnam the next day and have no idea what to expect.
Dogfight refers to a long held tradition in the marines: each guy contributes some money to the kitty to hire a bar, food and drinks and to have a cash prize for the marine who manages to get the ugliest date (the dog). It is a repulsive concept, but the writing starts on the side of the marines – they’re lads, having a laugh, blowing off steam. Just when the audience is squirming with discomfort about watching a jolly bunch of “boys will be boys” misogynists, it dismantles it. We start to see the complications: not every marine is on board with the concept. Eddie Birdlace (Luigi Lucente), the romantic lead, isn’t comfortable with the set-up, humiliating women isn’t pretty and physically threatening them is the last straw. He likes his date; he sees her as a human being and tries to steer her away from the party, but she is so excited about being invited she won’t hear of going anywhere else. And it all unravels from there.
The women characters are strongly written, well-drawn and exceedingly well performed. They are not objects but clearly express the pain of being treated so abjectly. Hilary Cole really sparkles. She is funny, touching and honest as the emotionally intelligent heart of the show, Rose Fenny, although it required a strong suspension of disbelief to see her as an ugly duckling.
Johanna Allen provided the “Wow” throughout the show, especially with her tragicomic portrayal of Peggy. She has a spectacular, rich voice that made the very most of her big furious number, Dogfight.
The marines are all very good too: Luigi Lucente has a gorgeous voice and did a fine job as the intense, emotionally pent up, conflicted Eddie Birdlace. Toby Francis as the central cad, Rowan Witt as the green Jewish virgin and the multiple roles played by Mark Simpson all stand out. Collectively, however, it is the joyful and highly accomplished harmonies of the whole male ensemble that drives this show.
Dogfight is a wonderful musical, full of brio and romance but it also leaves you with something to think about. The creative team – Director Neil Gooding, Musical Director Isaac Hayward and Choreographer Camilla Jakimowicz – have done a tremendous job. Dogfight has a wonderful score and a clever book with more than a few influences from Steven Sondheim … “or not”. Hilary Cole’s very charming Nothing Short of Wonderful, is strongly reminiscent of the Baker’s Wife’s Moments in the Woods. Not that that’s a criticism – it would be odd not to hear references to one of the major contemporary influences on musical theatre. Every single song is terrific and they are all well performed.
The lyrics are so good at layering the songs with multiple meanings. The rot sets in with the lovely duet Off to a Party, a beautiful, romantic yet wicked and duplicitous song. Lucente and Cole sing it so sweetly and the audience is swept up by the purity of their voices and intentions and yet it is dastardly to the core. Birdlace is singing a big con and poor, trusting Rose Fenny falls hook, line and sinker.
In the end though, this show is about what it is like to be in the army. The marines in this show go away to war as boys and the lucky ones who survive come back as broken men.
The Hayes Theatre has been thrilling from its inception. It regularly programs hot shows and turns them over at the speed of light. There’s always something new to see. They have a month long cabaret festival running through June with about 20 shows playing for about two shows each. Have a look at the line-up. And enjoy Dogfight in this intimate venue while you still can.
Neil Gooding Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co presents
DOGFIGHT
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul | Book by Peter Duchan
Director Neil Gooding
Venue: Hayes Theatre Co | 19 Greenknowe Ave Potts Point
Dates: 1 – 31 May 2015
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 5pm
Tickets: $48 – $42
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au | 02 8065 7337
