Much Ado Review

30.07.22

Attractive, Not Model Attractive kicked off their premiere show with a BANG and really said “we’re here”. From the marketing, to the production design, to the personality of the cast – this new theatre company has earned their own aesthetic and skillful place in Sydney’s theatre scene.

My jaw dropped when I entered the theatre. If you have seen the sparkle and pink on your friends’ Instagram stories, it is even more breathtaking in real life. Then cue the actors turning up on stage in every costume, each coherent, impressive, satisfying and just… slay. Probably my favourite styling this year. Everything takes place in one bar which is awesome, it’s not jarring at all even though I was hesitant at first. To Ash and Jenna Bell – THANK YOU. Also rate Jas Borsovszky’s lighting design, it was comedy in itself and so clean. Design-wise, this show was immaculate in my eyes.

The cast, I can confirm, are attractive. More importantly, their choices are all so funny and goofy and were really matched to a Shakespeare play. I will admit, it started off a little slow and I began to wonder if this was going to be a hard watch, but the actors eventually got into the swing and delivered. The first act is so funny and dramatic. There are a lot of satisfying and distinctive character choices and clearly a lot of textual work was put in to deliver the message and plot of the play. They successfully invest in using their skills to show and not tell as they are effectively, communicating in another language. The second act will hit you like a brick, in the best way possible. I’d hate to spoil anything but there is a huge shift in tone and we are BLESSED by the dramatic and pathos skills of this terrific cast. I was astounded by their range and found myself silently clicking my fingers to my friend.

In true Anjelica review style, I would also like to award some specific stand-out talent. Idam Sondhi is a blessing to our theatre scene. I saw him in Guards at the Taj earlier this year and hope to see him in many more as he is just so committed to the narrative in every moment, you can see the world in his eyes, and has effortless energy. I don’t know why I haven’t seen the legendary Hal Jones before but she is spectacular, a huge stage presence with exceptional voice work and comedic timing. A clear talent that needs to be seen more by directors and sort. In general, the whole team was amazing and I felt so proud of them by the end.

4 Stars.

Anjelica, 21 [she/her]

Attractive, Not Model Attractive’s Much Ado plays at the Flightpath Theatre from the 26th July to the 13th August. Buy tickets here.