REVIEW: Girl From The North Country

Theatregoers who are interested in American history should not miss this critically acclaimed production as they will be transported to a bygone era, offering an insight into the hardships people endured in the early 1930s during one of the country’s darkest chapters, the decade long Economic Depression.

Girl From The North Country is a musical written and directed by Conor McPherson using the songs of Bob Dylan. Set in a rundown guesthouse in Minnesota over a period of several days, a group of people who are fighting their own demons are introduced to audiences. There will be laughter and heartbreak as the story progresses, dealing with relatable issues including economic crisis, unemployment, alcoholism, racial discrimination, and dementia.

One of Australia’s favourite and most highly respected actresses, Lisa McCune, leads an A-list cast of 19 performers including Peter Kowitz, Callum Francis, Zahra Newman, Peter Carroll and Helen Dallimore. A live band on stage complements the show, as the characters break out in song and dance in 22 musical numbers that further intensify the themes and storylines. Songs include Sign On The Window, Is Your Love In Vain, Like A Rolling Stone, You Ain’t Going Nowhere and Forever Young, which have been selected from Dylan’s hit albums ranging from 1963 through to 2012.

There is so much happening on stage that the musical numbers are welcomed, especially for the more mature audiences who have lived through this artist’s amazing career.

This is far more than just a musical produced to entertain – it’s a tribute to the generation who lived through this depression and who may have died or survived to tell the story.

It will be quite interesting to see whether Aussie audiences will warm to Girl From The North Country. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a show that will most certainly educate. A triumph and universally relatable owing to the pandemic the world is currently living through.

Until Feb 27. Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney. $55-$190. Tickets & Info: www.northcountry.com.au