Open for Inspection - the Real Estate Musical

Everyone knows that in Sydney, real estate reigns supremo. In a world of cashed-up bidders desperate for a glimpse of any waterway, slick estate agents ready to do the dirty for a commission and fast-talking auctioneers, it was really only a matter of time before this original musical, about a Sydney real estate agent who goes to extremes to get the edge over his competitors was written.  

Playing a return season at the Darlo and directed by Sandra Stockley this little musical is full of energy and has some great performers. Sophie Webb (who impressed as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at the New Theatre) is perfectly cast and very watchable as Debbie, the hungry young agent who is unscrupulous in her dealings with both clients and Bagley, an agent from a struggling rival firm. Bagley (played with over-eager naiveté by James Pope) accidentally stumbles across a way of getting fabulous deals for the shady Brett Zarb (a dreamboat played very appropriately by the velvet-voiced Andrew Cutcliffe).

While the performers are generally excellent (Catherine McGraffin is high-pitch perfect as the ditzy receptionist Monica, and Jenny Lynn has a brilliant turn as a nightclub singer), the book (Tim Bonsanquet) and lyrics (Lucy Egger) are just a little lacking. The plot twist at the end is not revealed with an appropriately blinding Poirot-esque unveiling, and the lyrics are littered with lazy half-rhymes and too-oft repeated lyrics. A tight three-piece onstage band is great, and the tunes fairly catchy. A good dramaturg could help this show evolve into an excellent black comedy; it is however worth seeing and a lot of fun. Vivienne Egan