A small note.

I attended “A New Brain” at Sidetrack Theatre in between the two performances of the show I had been working on. I must admit that when I am making – I’m not reviewing as much – so this was one of the few outings into another world.

Sidetrack is my local.

But I rarely get asked to shows there – this is especially since it was taken over by New Musicals Australia… I think… or perhaps they have moved on? Anyway – I haven’t been to Sidetrack for ages. I love the venue for it’s community feel – Its Sunday markets – its humbling flightpath – its scarey toilets. It’s a crazy venue to work in though – the lighting desk is known for it’s ancient and fickle over-heating.

Anyway, how could I refuse an offer from one of the cast (my dear friend Shondelle Pratt) to attend?

It takes me a good while to swallow and digest the American-ness of the show. Yes. Twangy Yank accents and Jewish-American cultural references spill out of Australian mouths. I sit stunned. Choking on the sounds. I have to admit – that amount of large/loud American voices vibrating at me makes me cringe. Literally not just culturally.

But I’m there to watch.

A collection of artists REALLY wanted to put this on – they have sunk a whole stack of cash into this show – marketing, costumes, props, rehearsal venues- it would have cost a small fortune even on a shoe-string budget. A whole collection of artists wanted the audience in Sydney to see this show. I must sit and find out why.

The assumption is I don’t like musicals. Not true. In fact some but not many know I was once quite the musical theatre performer – but like most catholics and gym memberships – I have lapsed. I don’t work on or in them.

The heart of this play is a good one – there’s even a song which claims “you gotta have heart and music…” and I agree. And the heroes of the story (who happen to be gay) do discover that love conquers all – even a near fatal brain operation! And of course we are never alone – and things work out for the best – and all the messages that soothe and calm.

The production itself was slick – slicker than the venue. Great costumes. Great casting. And bright bold performances. And I have to say I adore Shondelle on stage as much as I do off – there is a cheeky sweetness to her. And a sassy, sexiness – which is also beautifully balance with coy generosity.

And I was turning my reaction to the American-ness in my head.

And then I got it.

I know why Australians love American stuff so much – because they can absolutely ham it up – be brassy and brave and bold and unrelenting and high energy. Americans by their nature seem to be energetic go-getters, perhaps a side effect of the myth of meritocracy? Australians in comparison are a little more low key – or relaxed. I reckon.

Anyway, it then got me thinking about the PWA showcase of new Australian musicals at the National Play Festival at the Beginning of the year – the musicals were about mate-ship and Gallipoli and gum leaves. And I started thinking about the Australian voice and what it means to hear our own accent reflected back to us.

Anyway – this isn’t a review – its a confession or a reflection or a reaction – for a review, check out Syke on Crikey: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/curtaincall/2011/11/14/review-a-new-brain-sidetrack-theatre-sydney/