Charming, humorous and heart-wrenching, Melbourne Theatre Company’s ‘Bloom’, written by Tom Gleisner, is a production with many faces.
There is some not-so-subtle messaging in ‘Bloom’ pertaining to the shameful recent failures in the aged care industry, as well as an optimistic glimmer of hope and possibility in the same realm.
Uni student Finn Bailey (Slone Sudiro) is at first uninspired and lazy, jumping at an opportunity for free board at Pine Grove aged care facility, but turning his nose up at the prospect of helping out there. Eventually, however, it becomes clear that Finn’s arrival is most opportune – leading to a string of good fortune for the residents and a positive change in the air. The initial unease between Finn and Pine Grove employees Ruby (Vidya Manan) and Gloria (Christina O’Neill), while tense, is strangely charming in itself.
If ‘Bloom’ were ‘Matilda’, comedian Anne Edmonds is the Miss Trunchbull of Pine Grove. Equally as hysterical as she is terrifying, Anne walks the line with ease, delivering harsh lines with bite and over-playing the severe nature of Mrs MacIntyre to the point of sheer hilarity. Her musical numbers are a stand-out element to the show, bringing an air of slapstick and parody, but still managing to communicate the carelessness which is sadly common in the aged care industry.
Much of the charm of ‘Bloom’ comes from the intergenerational melding of personalities, perspectives and dynamics. Fans of BBC’s ‘The Vicar Of Dibley’ may draw comparisons in this regard – a fresh, new face enters into a group of older folks to provide a metaphorical fresh coat of paint, and the journey is beautiful: Finn learns things from the elderly residents, but perhaps most poignant is that the residents learn things even they never knew, from Finn. The message that learning and understanding different ideas can come at any age, is universal and more relevant than ever.
Image © Pia Johnson
The music adds even more dimension to the work, capturing, in a new way, the emotions of all at the facility – including Vidya Makan’s Ruby, who feels stuck in limbo and capable of bigger and better things. A gorgeous four-piece song between Vidya/Slone and Frankie J Holden (Doug)/Jackie Rees (Lesley) is another stand-out.
Evelyn Krape’s Rose is this reviewer’s favourite character in ‘Bloom’. She is essentially the centrepiece of the show, whether she means to be or not. Stealing every scene she’s in, Rose delights. Her friendship with Finn is perhaps the most wonderful example of intergenerational harmonisation in ‘Bloom’. . . Two humans at, essentially, the two ends of life. . . Able to seamlessly close the decades-large gap between their ages to unite on the shared experience of being human.
‘Bloom’ is an affecting, special piece of Australian theatre. . . And it would be a shame for it to end once its run at Arts Centre Melbourne is done. The music, script, themes and exceptionally talented cast all deserve to be seen by a national audience, because sometimes we need a little reminder of the preciousness of life and the benefit of being able to enjoy it to the fullest.
Bravo to Tom Gleisner, bravo to Dean Bryant, to Katie Weston, to the band, and to this utterly delightful cast of players. A fantastic night out at the theatre.
★★★★★
