‘My Brilliant Career’ // Melbourne Theatre Company
‘My Brilliant Career’ was unique.
A sellout opening night and a multitude Southbank Theatre welcomed with the most beautiful music. The stage was covered in straw, upon a circular platform sat a white piano and stool, surrounding were an ensemble of musicians whose versatility we were swept away with as they transformed into an ensemble cast. My Brilliant Career concluded the 2024 Melbourne Theatre Company season with a strong finale under the leadership of artistic director Anne Louise Sarks. It is hard for the contemporary mindset to truly fathom the limitations 1890s rural Australia placed on women. Adapting Sybylla’s aspirations from writer to contemporary singer-songwriter provided ample opportunity to challenge the unnatural nature of musical theatre and transform this text into a genre contemporary audiences will easily connect the dots with. I have seen many adaptations of My Brilliant Career and found this one the most unique. Sarks must be praised for this creative adaptation of a classic.
My Brilliant Career was first published as a novel by teenage Stella Miles Franklin who concealed her femininity under the name Miles Franklin. For a book intended to impress her school friends, it had a profound impact on myself when it was assigned as a text in English class. We were introduced to the headstrong Sybylla Melvyn dressed in a mismatched pantsuit and addressed the audience as an absolute larrikin. The character of Sybylla is revered as an archetypical Australian feminist icon much like her creator. My Brilliant Career has been adapted for the stage previously, with this performance beginning its development in 2019. The emotional development of its teenage protagonist Sybylla, a fiercely independent teenager born in a restrictive era uncovering her true nature is dished out fabulously by writers Sheridan Harbridge and Dean Bryant.
The sheer talent of this cast of absolute triple threats is outstanding. Kala Gare is a showstopper in her delivery of the songs. Watching her climb unto the piano as it rotates in the centre of the stage presents her as a rockstar belting her deepest frustrations. My Brilliant Career is a deeply multifaceted text with an endearing quality. Her relationship with her aunt Helen (Christina O’Neill), whose rich voice brings shudders to her already harrowing tale of being outcasted. Raj Labade shone as Harry Beecham alongside Lincoln Elliot as Jimmy and Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward as heartthrob Frank. I also adored Hany Lee as Sybylla’s sister Gertie and implied rival Blanche. Drew Livingston as Sybylla’s father and An Mitsikas as her grandmother.
My Brilliant Career is a heavy work with bursts of comedic joy beyond Sybylla’s desire for a career. Sybylla’s relationship with her aunt Helen, whose story is presented as a cautionary warning against finding happiness in reliance on others. Sybylla’s rocky relationships with her mother and grandmother will resonate with any teenager or former teenager. Through these interactions, we witness her mature. Watching Sybylla connected with the McSwats only to be let go just as their children began to adore her presence and love learning was heartbreaking. Hearing them forgive her family’s debts for educating their children was a touching resolution that challenged our perceptions of judgement. At times, the character of Sybylla deviated into somewhat of a bully. Harry Beecham (Raj Labade) certainly showed the trappings of textbook misogyny in a way that resonated with our contemporary understandings of privileged men. Though he later evolved to express true compassionate wisdom. Sybylla also moves away from her childishness to reject him in a very mature manner. She doesn’t detest him but rather the concept of marriage entirely. Inconclusively is a valuable tool for a writer, though it must be executed with utter precision. Franklin leaves us hanging, though strongly implies Sybylla never fulfills her independence. I enjoyed how Harbridge and Bryant ended with uncertainty regarding Sybylla’s future path, though left us wanting for more. My Brilliant Career concluded by giving the audience the opportunity to picture themselves within Sybylla.
We are transformed into the harsh country drought through a barren set flanked in straw with an angelic piano as a centrepiece, the work of Marg Horwell and Savanna Wegman. We see dazzling flowers breathed life into the barren landscape as they fell from the sky and beautiful chandeliers and curtains were used during indoor scenes. The Southbank Theatre is known for having a revolve which is characteristic of many performances staged there with this a clever example of its use. The revolve supported the piano, and rotated during Sybylla’s solo vocals evoking themes reminiscent of pop concerts, amplifying Sybylla as a performer in a way recognisable to a contemporary audience. The costuming completed the characters. The secondary characters are dressed in true to the period attire to compliment the set. Blanche (Hany Lee) from Melbourne wears a very scandalous for the era dress symbolising her new money. the playful designs of the McSwats, with some contemporary pieces brought fun into the mix.
Like many, I was introduced to My Brilliant Career at secondary school, though the text was never assigned to me as I ultimately read it voluntarily. No matter how old people get, their agency is what they hold most dear. Sybylla is an icon in this regard. As a standalone piece of theatre, My Brilliant Career is a fantastic original performance with an exceptionally talented cast. Musicals are tough, and writing with complete originality is a major feat, Harbridge and Bryant must be commended for their work.
My Brilliant Career runs from 7th November till 18th December at the Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank. For tickets visit their website.
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