South Pacific (Royal National Theatre Production - 2001 London Cast)

AMAZING!!!!

When searching for recordings of South Pacific, I first got the Original Broadway Cast with Mary Martin and Ezio Panza. While the two are outstanding, the recording itself is wornout, fuzzy, and limp. I next bought the 2-disc 1997 Studio Cast recording, which is complete and expertly done. I thought that was enough, untill I heard the rave reviews over this recording. It indeed surpasses every expectation. The book is restructured to make the story flow better and become much more powerful. And this comes out on the recording. The two added songs, cut from the original, "My Girl Back Home" and the superb "Now is the Time", make the recording priceless. But the shining glory of the CD has to be Philip Quast and the fresh invigorating Lauren Kennedy. Lauren has turned the already amazing, complex, and just plain fun Character of Nellie into a fresh new woman filled with spirit and joy beyond belief. No matter how many recordings of South Pacific you have, no matter how many times you've been in or seen the show, this recording will bring you to a new perspective on an newly amazing masterpiece of musical theatre. June 23, 2005

Philip Quast is amazing

Philip Quast is possibly the greatest actor working today. His smooth voice and on point acting make this a treasure to listen to. Lauren Kennedy has a youthful verve that makes her spunky and enjoyable as Nellie. This is a much more youthful and modern interpretation of a classic. June 23, 2004

It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

This 67 minute recording of "South Pacific" is of the London Royal National Theatre production which ran from 12 December 2001 to 27 April 2002 in the Olivier Theatre.
And if you've already got six recordings of the score sitting on your shelf (1949 OBC - Martin & Pinza; 1958 OFST - Gaynor & Tozzi; 1986 Studio - Kanewa & Carreras; 1988 London Revival Cast - Craven & Belcourt; 1997 Complete Studio - O'Hara & Diaz; 2001 TVST - Close & Connick Jr.) you could be asking why you need a seventh.

Well if you were lucky enough to actually see the stunning RNT production you will know that there are at least two good reasons for buying this one: Lauren Kennedy and Philip Quast. Lauren is simply her loveable, sparkling, effervescent self playing Nellie Forbush, singing and acting the part so naturally and to utter perfection - an absolute joy to listen to. As Emile de Becque, Philip produces another wonderful performance as we have come to expect following "Les Miserables" and "The Secret Garden" - as one newspaper critic said, 'he has a superb baritone which he uses like a master'. But everyone shines here: Sheila Francisco as Bloody Mary, Nick Holder as Luther Billis and John Shrapnel as Captain Brackett in particular.
And there's more. Director Trevor Nunn, Matthew Bourne and their team have given the work a subtle overhaul - the 'in/out' number "My Girl Back Home" is most definitely in, and is beautifully sung by Lauren and Edward Baker Duly as Lt. Cable, and for the very first time a lost vocal version (duet for Emile and Lt. Cable) of the "Operation Alligator" music (featured on the 1997 Studio Recording) is also included, entitled "Now Is The Time". The lyrics for Emile's part in "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught" have been completely revised, and the "Act II Opening" features a wonderfully fresh 'doo-wop' arrangement of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair".
Then there's the complete reworking of the opening of the first half: a totally different "Overture" features "Bali Ha'i", "Now Is The Time" and "Twin Soliloquies", and marches straight into the opening number "Bloody Mary" with tremendous effect. "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame" immediately follows, and only then is it on to the original opening sequence which introduces the growing close relationship between Nellie and Emile, featuring "A Cockeyed Optimist" and "Some Enchanted Evening".
And finally there's the liberal sprinkling of dialogue. The "Act One Finale" and "Communication Discontinued" will probably require a packet of tissues each. I just wish that the duet reprise of "A Wonderful Guy" (the champagne scene!), which acts a prelude to "This Is How It Feels", had been included, as it was played so superbly on stage.
Overall though an outstanding souvenir of what was a truly wonderful show - all concerned must be congratulated. I don't quite know how many times I have listened to Lauren sing "I'm Gonna Wash That Man ..." and "A Wonderful Guy", but it must be getting close to a four digit number.
Certainly the best of all the "South Pacific" recordings in my opinion.
Five stars? More like fifty five! April 12, 2004

Stands easily in two worlds

Could hardly disagree more with the previous review (sorry, A Music Fan !)

Well, I definitely agree that Philip Quast is spectacular in this cast. He achieves a convincing, gentle French accent without once being caricatured, and strikes a wonderful balance between shy charm and determination in a time of need.

But that's where we part in opinion. I liked this CD, a lot ! The overall recording captures well both the ingenuousness and desperation of a time when the US's world was being jolted shockingly out of its innocence. And Trevor Nunn's liner notes point out the value of the text and score's optimistic stance to a world this side of the attack on the WTC.

Simply, the cast and production are great. The orchestrations are rich and clear, and lush where they need to be. Lauren Kennedy has a great voice and makes a spunky, feisty and fallible Nellie Forbush; Sheila Francisco is quite moving, and captures well the pluck and learned opportunism of Bloody Mary; and Edward Baker-Duly soars as Joseph Cable.

Strongly recommended. For me, the most satisfying recording of South Pacific I've yet heard. April 4, 2003

buy another version

This is a recording of the very disappointing recent London production. The singing is smooth but lacks depth and, as can be heard in the dialogue sections, the interpretations are not very convincing. The only exception is the marvelous Philip Quast, as Emile. Mary Martin remains the greatest Nellie with her wonderful warm "mix" of head voice and "belt". October 14, 2002

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