Nine years after its debut on Broadway, the beloved tale of the lost Russian princess, proudly presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia and Opera Australia present in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment, Tom Kirdahy, Hunter Arnold and Dan Hinde, with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and directed by Darko Tresnjak, Anastasia has finally made its Australian debut in Melbourne at the Regent Theatre on Sunday December 28th.
While I’m very much aware of the true story that Anastasia is inspired by, and the many adaptations about the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia (yes, even that 1956 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner), this stage musical version is based on the 1997 animated musical historical fantasy film of the same name. This version is also the most popular retelling of Anastasia’s legend.
As someone who grew up with the first ever 20th Century Fox Animation film, which was a fundamental staple of my childhood, I was both curious and excited to see the stage adaptation of the beloved magical fantasy and romantic classic.
The main story is still somewhat the same, Anya (played by Georgina Hopson) is a woman who is trying to piece together the fragments of her past. With officer Gleb (played by Joshua Robson) on her tail (instead of some weird undead sorcerer with a grudge and an adorable bat sidekick), Anya finds herself in good company with an ex-aristocrat Vlad (played by Rodney Dobson) and a charming conman named Dmitri (played by Robert Tripolino). While the story follows Anya on her journey to finding friendship, love and family, the similarities between the animation and its stage adaptation differ from the very start.
Unlike the animated original, Dmitri didn’t work in the palace as a young boy, and he did not save Anastasia and her grandmama by helping them escape through the staff entrance. Instead, Dmitri and Anastasia apparently saw each other at a random parade when she was 8 and he was 10. But we’re never actually shown this scene. Not even as a flashback! Instead, we’re simply told what happened, which honestly makes the second chance romantic tale flimsy and anti-climactic. This is the only change that I found disappointing as it doesn’t seem like the love story was properly carried out per se and was merely an afterthought. I do not even understand the need for the change.
What was thoroughly thought about was the stunning staging by Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge, the screens that made it look like there was magic happening by Video Designer Aaron Rhyne, and gorgeous costuming by Linda Cho. Their talents combine create something particularly wonderful during ‘Once Upon a December’ that will satisfy fans of the animated film. The flow and transition between scenes were seamless, and despite the musical being fast paced, it didn’t take away from the entertainment and enjoyment of the production.
Music wise, the stage adaptation has eight songs from the film, but what’s impressive is that the musical’s original songs flow cohesively with its existing movie famed counterparts, which is quite a masterful feat. Highlights include the exquisitely composed ‘The Neva Flows’ sung magnificently by Joshua Robson as Gleb, and ‘The Countess and the Common Man’ performed by Rodney Dobson and theatre queen Rhonda Burchmore as Vlad and Countess Lily, respectively.
It is no secret that the Australian cast of Anastasia are arguably some of the best in the business. Georgina Hopson is the loveliest Anya with a beautiful voice that enchants every inch of Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, specifically making hearts soar when she sings ‘Journey to the Past’. Hopson, who has been making a name for herself in Australian theatre over the last few years, is the perfect princess in this wonderfully ambitious production. Robert Tripolino is great as Dmitry, disarmingly charming, providing the familiar Aladdin vibes during ‘My Petersburg’. With an infectious smile and excellent vocals to boot, honestly, what’s not to love about Robert Tripolino?
The musical leans into Anya and Dmitry’s relationship being a love-hate relationship trope more than the second chance story we’ve come to know, and Hopson and Tripolino do their best to make sparks fly. However, and surprisingly, with the way the book was written, there appears to be romantic tension more between Anya and the story’s reluctant antagonist, Robson’s Gleb. Not complaining, it was just odd.
Rodney Dobson shines on his own, but he sparkles when he’s together with Hopson and Tripolino in ‘Learn to Do It’. The musical is also heavily reliant on hilarious wonder duo Hobson and Burchmore’s characters Vlad and Countess Lily to carry the physical comedy of the show. Without them, the show would be far super serious and very, very dark. I must commend Burchmore, that every time she graced the stage, I wanted more because she was so much fun! I mean, is there anything that Rhonda Burchmore can’t do? While theatre legend Nancye Hayes is flawless as the Dowager Empress, with a commanding stage presence that you can’t tear your eyes (and ears) away from.
Scene stealers of the production would hands down be during the ballet sequence with Sophia Bae as Odette, Davis Giotopoulos Moore as Siegfried, and Keian Langdon as Rothbart. The bite sized ballet portion is perfectly placed within the production and is a joy to watch. I kept trying to arch my neck to see their feet when they were dancing! It was delicate, graceful and fascinating.
The standout of Anastasia’s Australian production however is none other than Joshua Robson as Gleb. Reminiscent of Thuy from Miss Saigon, the stage-musical-only-character is fantastic, only enhanced by Robson’s intimidating yet captivating stage presence and his phenomenal voice, which honestly sounds like a gift from the gods. Seeing Anastasia is well worth grabbing a ticket to, even if it’s to hear Robson’s solo alone.
Overall, Anastasia is a great production. Perhaps not the best film to stage adaptation that we’ve seen, and I may take a little more convincing to warm to this new version of the love tale that gives the tragic Russian princess a happy ending. But all the favourite songs are in it, the show is visually stunning, the costuming is divine, *that iconic blue dress* is there, and the Australian cast (the best cast that money can buy) are fantastic in every way. Even without the magic from the movie, Anastasia is filled with love, mystery, tension, romance, and is undeniably enchanting.
Anastasia is now playing in Melbourne for a limited season at the Regent Theatre until February 20.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://anastasiathemusical.com.au
Photography by Jeff Busby.
