Review – Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert

Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert was like attending a charming dinner party where you are sitting next to your best mate, but opposite Grandad Bob – who fights you for the gravy dish and can’t take his eyes from your chest. You turn to one side and love relishing in old memories and laughing at good times; turn to the other and you can’t escape the cringe-worthy stories and vulgar jokes.

Reading the notes of Bryce Ives, the Artistic Director and leader of theatre ensemble Present Tense, there is no doubt that his aim was to demonstrate the multicultural nature of today’s Australia and showcase how far we’ve come from the days where eggplants and olives were foreign items never to be seen in our kitchens or supermarkets. Margaret Fulton is certainly an individual who has helped shape the development of modern Australia. The incoherent performance that was delivered on stage, however, did not match Bryce Ives’ vision of the candid showcasing of the inspiration and Aussie icon that is Margaret Fulton.

This lack of coherency was in no way due to the performances of the cast (who were absolutely superb), but to the actual script (book) and story line, written by Doug Macleod. It was like a meal where every dish was scrumptious on its own, but as a dinner, did not complement each other. Sometimes (and only sometimes) it felt like self-indulgent creative wank.

Nevertheless, the musical numbers were tight, the direction intelligent and the incorporation of food and kitchen utensils as everyday objects very endearing. Amy Lehpamer as Margaret Fulton was the right mix of strong and vulnerable, with performances by Zoy Frangos and Laura Burzacott an excellent addition to the strong cast. Some of the caricature acting from Josh Price would have been just as funny had he delivered the characters more genuinely – he’s definitely talented enough and it would have added a much-needed deference to the important people who made such an impact in the life of Margaret Fulton.

The band was rocking and full of spirit. However, the ‘Maragrettes’ (two extra female vocalists), were annoying and unnecessary – the singing by the main cast was strong enough though.

Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert is a fun-loving and laid-back musical. It’s a bit like a Pavlova – you savour the fruit and cream on top, love the crunchy end, but the frothy, sugary egg white middle is certainly not the best, nor most memorable bit. I enjoyed myself and laughed a lot, but was left hungry for something a little more substantial.

Updated on 30/11/12:
“Sometimes it felt like self-indulgent creative wank” was changed to “Sometimes (and only sometimes) it felt like self-indulgent creative wank”.