Reviewed by Jane Court for Stage Whispers and originally published on Stage Whispers 17 March 2025.
Ladies in Black is an Australian stage musical written by Split Enz and Crowded House co-founder Tim Finn (Music and Lyrics) and Carolyn Burns (Book). It is based on The Women in Black 1993 novel by Madeleine St John and was the recipient of several Helpmann (Best Musical and Best Score), Matilda, and Green Room Awards
The show is a coming-of-age story set in Sydney in the 1950s. It tells of young, intelligent Lisa, who embarks on a summer job between completing her Leaving Certificate and following her university dreams. Lisa joins the sales staff in the fashionable department store, F.G. Goode’s. It’s a summer that changes her life as she befriends the colourful characters of the women’s clothing department. Each character is on the precipice of change - facing independence, working for a living, pregnancy, and what it means to be a woman in this era.
I remember those days when we all wore black, and gloves were still required at my first Saturday morning job at Woolworths. The story has a beautiful authenticity for ladies in retail in another age.
I have been looking forward to seeing a local production of this musical as I thought it was a little lost in the vastness of the Regent Theatre in 2017 but was sure it was destined to become a local community stalwart with strong female characters and great musical numbers. Beaumaris Theatre in Wells Road is an intimate theatrical space, a nicely renovated hall where I have seen many excellent productions.
Debbie Keyt (Director), Rhonda Vaughan (Musical Director), and Camilla Klesman (Choreographer) are a formidable creative team who have worked together on many Beaumaris Theatre shows. It was easy to see Debbie’s supportive hand in the entire production, her attention to detail, and how each character clearly knew their role and how it melded to make the whole. The orchestra was excellent under Rhonda’s firm baton. The six instruments hidden behind the stage never overwhelmed the performers. Of particular note was keyboardist Michelle Lu. Congratulations to Camilla for her effortless and effective choreography, perfect for the show and venue.
The moment the audience walked into the auditorium, they were in awe of the beautiful set designed by Pietro Giordano, which immediately transported them to high-end shops decorated to enhance the shopping experience. Five mannequins were arrayed in alcoves around the stage, each dressed in stunning gowns from costumer Cheryllyn de Vries and her team of couturiers. The mannequins were subtly lit throughout, as was the entire stage. Congratulations to the lighting and sound teams for top-class design and operation.
There’s an old saying that a director’s job is to cast the right people. Debbie did just that. The cast was superb, every one of them, making it tricky to mention only a few.
Rose Chambers, who played Lisa, is new to Beaumaris Theatre. She is formerly from the Geelong area and has a background in classical and Celtic violin styles. Rose has a beautifully trained musical theatre voice and strong acting ability, taking the audience through Lisa’s story.
Bek Chapman played the role of Magda with the same conviction, warmth, and aplomb. She played Maria in The Sound of Music in 2010 at Beaumaris. Jacqui Moore and her real-life partner, Dan Bellis, played Patti and Frank, adding nice touches of comedy. Roisin O’Neill brought an appropriate touch of emotion to Mrs Myles as her character faces parental loss as their child becomes an adult.
The entire cast sang beautifully solo and as a group with amazing tight harmonies, musical entrances, and exits. When a cast works together as assuredly as this team, it allows the audience to relax and float away inside the story.
Ladies in Black was adapted into a film in 2018, directed by lauded Australian director Bruce Beresford, with Julia Ormon, and which, at the time of writing, is available to view on some streaming services. It was also adapted as a television series in 2024 with Miranda Otto, which can be seen on IView.
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