This Monday night Magnormos continues the celebration of JERRY HERMAN with the Tony Award winning DEAR WORLD. In the days leading up we will meet some of the principal performers who will bring this landmark musical to life…
DEIDRE RUBENSTEIN (who plays Countess Aurelia)
Magnormos: Tell us about your character:
Deidre: She is the Mad Woman of Chaillot, the Countess Aurelia. She is not mad, more eccentric than mad. She dresses in clothes of a bygone era and has some very fanciful, almost mystical theories. She appears naive, but is not. She proves that she has enormous spirit and courage to bring about lasting change for good in the world.
Magnormos: What drew you to Dear World?
Deidre: I had heard some of the songs and was familiar with the play. I think there is such a poignant delicacy and wisdom to the piece. It is rare to find that combination of wit and charm, great characters and glorious music. Plus a very relevant message about the dangers of unchecked corporate greed.
Magnormos: Why do you think Jerry Herman is so successful?
Deidre: He is the essence of showbiz and writes the most marvelous songs with great lyrics and wonderful melodies.
Magnormos: Tell us a little about you. What’s a career highlight so far?
Deidre: It is interesting to look back on a long career and see what projects have meant the most, for whatever reason. I would have to say that there are three major highlights, although I have been fortunate to work on many wonderful shows with many wonderful people.
The first is Palace of Dreams a 10 part mini series for the ABC which we filmed in the mid eighties. It was about a Russian Jewish family running a hotel in Sydney during the Depression. I played Chana the mother. The series had a quality of soul and richness that is rare. The European culture, Sydney in the Thirties, the family’s joys and heartaches, archival footage punctuating the action, a wonderful cast and good writing, all brought to it a marvellous depth and produced very fine television. I am very proud to have been a part of it.
My second highlight is discovering the profound fulfillment in solo performance. I have done three solo shows and the intimacy of communication with the audience when it is just you and them is unparalleled. The audience become your fellow players, you take them on your journey with you. It is a kind of sacred trust. Probably my favourite of the three shows is Confidentially Yours, which was written for me by seven of Australia’s top playwrights. I played nine very different characters ranging from an ageing sex kitten to a blind street woman. Truly thrilling writing and an honour to perform.
And the third is being part of a superb ensemble performing a magnificent play, August: Osage County by Tracey Letts. A big three and a half hour sprawling American Gothic epic. Thirteen characters, all fabulous. A play full of secrets gradually revealed. It is heartbreaking and hilarious, daring and hugely theatrical. The audience response was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Gasps and shrieks and moans ringing out across the house. Obviously the wildly dysfunctional family’s antics were triggering all sorts of recognition in the audience. And at the end the audience rose to their feet cheering, without fail.
See Deidre in the role that won Angela Lansbury her second Tony Award in DEAR WORLD, this Monday Night 11 July 8pm at Melbourne Recital Centre.
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