Hailing from its original run at Melbourne Theatre Company in 2023, Sydney has been blessed to have a season of Bloom, a new Australian musical, playing at the Sydney Theatre Company. Writer, Tom Gleisner, is hesitant on referring to this production as such, suggesting it, “would be enough to frighten most people off, let alone one written by a first-timer to the artform”. However, it must be said, this is a wonderful achievement for a “first-timer”, and here’s hoping there are more musicals to come from Gleisner, known for co-writing films The Castle and The Dish, in addition to writing/directing/producing/hosting television series’ Have You Been Paying Attention? and Thank God You’re Here.
Bloom has an unexpected storyline (for a musical, that is), centring on an aged care facility, Pine Grove Aged Care Centre. Through the consistent budget cuts, the Centre promotes free board to university students in exchange for their assistance with the residents. In enters Finn, a young university student studying music, waiting at reception with hesitant new resident, Rose. The intergenerational narrative, starting with these two characters, opens the door to diverse audiences, giving the opportunity for older generations to connect to the younger, and vice versa.
The celebration of multiple generations occurs on the stage within the casting itself, of the following in the roles of aged care residents: Evelyn Krape (Rose, rebellious and adventurous), John O’May (Roland, the theatre pro), Jackie Rees (Lesley, the visual artist), and John Waters (Doug, who reminisces on his younger years as Mr Fixit). Then there are younger aged care staff headed by the hilarious Christie Whelan Browne as Mrs MacIntyre, veteran aged care staff member Gloria (played by Christina O’Neill), young go-getter Ruby (played by Vidya Makan) and of course, the university student, Finn (played by Slone Sudiro). And there are several more that have been missed here.
Everyone brings something to the table, and they do it in a way unique to them and their character. It is such a showcase of Australian talent and in a way that isn’t seen that often. There’s singing, there’s choreography, and there are engaging interactions between these characters. The musical numbers explore each individual’s story, giving attention to the past and the present in equal measure, with commendation to Katie Weston (Music).
Bloom is a musical that is hard to fault and easy to enjoy. There are a lot of very funny moments and some that are quite bleak (including end-of-life care and the reality of severe budget cuts), bringing the musical abruptly back into reality. The show, from the cast to the writing to the music and staging, is all pretty impeccable, and an honour to bear witness to. As the Artistic Director Mitchell Butel maintains, “…the Australian musical blooms once more”.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Reviewer attended on 5 April 2025.
Bloom is playing at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from 3 Apr – 11 May 2025.
Tickets available here: Bloom – Sydney Theatre Company
Photo credit: Daniel Boud
