Downstage Theatre

Big River

Hannah Playhouse, Wellington 2004

Winner of the 
Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
Set Designer of the Year 2004

Twain afloat in capital

WHAT: Big River : The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Roger Miller and William Hauptman, directed by Murray Lynch
WHERE: Downstage Theatre, till December 11
REVIEWED BY : Laurie Atkinson

BIG RIVER, the most successful of all the adaptations for the stage of Mark Twain’s novels, opened on Broadway on 1985, where it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 1005 performances, has finally berthed in Wellington.

It’s a big, freewheeling, lively, funny show that, despite Mark Twain’s voice admonishing the audience not to attempt to find any sort of moral in Huck’s story, is as wholesome, comfy and morally secure as Roger Miller’s toe-tapping, handclapping country-style music that Gives Big River its sweep and drive.

The story of the irrepressible Huck, who helps his friend Jim, a slave,  to escape to freedom as they raft down the Mississippi River avoiding death, slavery, stultifying domesticity and various undesirable characters on the way, is told with simplicity, humour and bravura.

The stage is dominated by a large romanticized painting of the Mississippi River, but Huck’s raft, a canoe, a boat load of slaves and a dead body all float down it with theatrical aplomb that is as surprising  as it is inventive on John Parker’s setting. The details of the setting and the period are also beautifully and economically done. Jim’s biggest catfish n the world; Huck’s hog; The Royal Nonesuch theatrical poster, the tar-and-feather victim all perfectly reflect the mix of realism, nostalgia, and satirical social commentary that lie at the heart of Twain’s novel.

The 14-strong cast, led by Kip Chapman as Huck and Tamati Te Nohoru as Jim, throw themselves into the story with an enthusiasm that is infectious. If I glanced at my watch a couple of times during the second half it wasn’t their fault.

Chapman captures well the comic gangly adolescent charm, naiveté and guile of Huck , and he unites well with Te Nohutu’s solid presence as Jim. Both are excellent singers in their own right, but when they sang River in the Rain, and Muddy Water together they provide the clinching emotional moments of the musical.

Steven Ray has a whale of a time playing an escaped prisoner who passes himself off as The King of France and as a con man having trouble with the word orgy at a funeral in the funniest scene in the show. Jason Ward-Kennedy also has fun as his partner in crime who believes he could be a Shakespearean actor, and Nick Blake as Huck’s father sings with a throat full of gravel the comic Guv’ment , a song that would please any present-day Bush supporter. Nick Dunbar also brings out all of the humour in the hillbilly hymn to the glories of Arkansas.

Carol Smith, Darien Takle and Ellen Smith make the most of the comic possibilities of the women and substitute others who boss Huck about, while Erina Daniels and Miriama McDowell play the slaves and provide their powerful voices to the spiritual intensity of the gospel songs. It’s a grand cast for a warm-hearted show that is ideal entertainment for either a 40^th anniversary or an end-of-year outing.

DOMINION POST 5 November 2004