Catch Me If You Can
Produced by North Canterbury Musicals
Director – Haydon Dickie
Musical director – Briar Patrick
Choreographer – Bianca Escobar
Until 24 May
Rangiora Town Hall
Reviewed by Kineta Knight
I had seen the marketing posters all around North Canterbury, but it still didn’t hit me that Catch Me If You Can was based on the film with the same name, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, until I attended opening night.
It was like an “ahhhh” moment. And, then, everything made sense.
To the production team at North Canterbury Musicals who put this show together, nice work.
Albeit disappointing to see a half-empty theatre, which lacked the atmosphere of an opening night, it is a local production that Cantabrians need to get behind.
The talent is good. The script pretty good. But it’s the community spirit that brings the best out in this performance.
Based on the Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can movie, it is a stylish cat-and-mouse chase that blends wit, charm, and emotional depth with a deft hand.
Based on the astonishing true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenage con artist who impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer before his 21st birthday, the play is both a thrilling ride and a surprisingly touching exploration of identity, family, and the cost of reinvention.
Finn Gestro-Best as Frank is good in this role. He narrates the story well, as he weaves the show together.
The big company numbers really were the standout moments with vibrant wardrobe style and colour (Bryony Jamison), lovely choreography (Bianca Escobar) and a cast whose harmonies are beautifully blended (Briar Patrick).
The lighting team (Jesse Rogers) made themselves known in this piece, especially when there was dancing on the staircase.
The only thing I might mention is the sound mix was a little off. But, that’s opening night for you! At times, the orchestra was louder than the onstage performers. And in such a small theatre, perhaps the sound was almost too loud altogether. Sound is a tricky medium to get right, but there’s plenty of time left in the season’s run to do so.
Albeit a show that needs the whole cast to create something magical, there really was one stand-out performer. Ella Berry (Brenda Strong). What a talent. She brought the house down with her performance, and plenty of tears from this reviewer, in (Our) Family Tree. What a voice!
The big company numbers were also a highlight, including Live in Living Colour, and the girls’ ensemble gets to shine in Jet Set, and the boys in Don’t Break The Rules.
If you’re a fan of Robbie Williams’s album, Swing When You’re Winning, and an interesting story, then Catch Me If You Can is a lovely show for you to see this autumn.
