‘Bloom’: A Heartwarming, Humorous Tale Of Inter-Generational Friendship

Rose and Finn are the two newest arrivals to the Pine Grove Aged Care facility – nothing unusual there, bar the fact that Rose is a retired teacher ordered there by her doctor and Finn is a young uni student looking for a place to stay. Indeed, he’s because of a cost-cutting scheme by Pine Grove’s despotic owner Mrs MacIntyre: offer uni students free board in exchange for working at the home.

Such is the premise of Tom Gleisner‘s musical comedy Bloom, a highly entertaining and uplifting piece of theatre that’ll have you wishing you could spend more time in this fictitious nursing home. Though its big setpieces might not be as opulent as other theatre shows, Bloom nonetheless succeeds thanks to a particularly strong cast and a wicked sense of humour that keeps the laughs coming.

A show with wide appeal

Part of what makes Bloom such a success is its universal appeal, tackling a number of subjects like aging and inter-generational friendship with real heart. It’s also extremely funny in a quintessentially Australian way. That’s not to say non-Aussies couldn’t enjoy it, but it’s a matter of how it’s written. In that laconic, dry style of humour that our country is known for, the simplest punchline is able to generate a massive laugh.

The hilarious script is aided by the sensational ensemble who give the comedy real life. Performances I really enjoyed included Vidya Makan as the stressed carer Ruby, Slone Sudiro’s turn as the kind-hearted but overly relaxed Finn and John Waters as the ex-handyman resident Doug.

However, the real standouts of the show to me were Evelyn Krape as Rose and Christie Whelan Browne as Mrs MacIntyre. These two characters are duelling with one another the entire show as Rose struggles to settle into Pine Grove and Mrs MacIntyre creates an oppressive atmosphere in the facility. Krape is deeply sweet as Rose and is very much the emotional centre of the show, while Browne is hysterically hateable as Mrs MacIntyre as she delivers every line with an entertaining sneer.

Bloom is wonderfully directed

The sensational cast of Bloom is aided by some phenomenal production design by Dann Barber, which makes Pine Grove Aged Care feel rather claustrophobic. The entire show can feel cluttered in a deliberate way, adding to the script’s sense that there’s never quite enough room or consideration for the residents in the facility. Director Dean Bryant ensures that all the actors move through the space seamlessly, and the impact when the ensemble steps outside is genuinely breathtaking.

Though the use of space is generally a standout of Bloom, the show’s choreography during the musical numbers is mostly functional rather than impressive. It’s understandable, given that one of the cast members is on a mobility scooter the whole time, but it means that Bloom is not always as visually dynamic as other musicals. Though it often means the raw comedy can take centre stage, it can make Pine Grove feel a bit stagnant sometimes; perhaps that’s the point, given the residents are supposed to feel trapped there.

Still, that hardly takes away from the joy that is watching Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Bloom. Though there’s little doubt it’ll make you laugh, what makes the show such a memorable experience is its earnestly emotional tale of crossing the generational divide, and how we’re always better off working together.

Bloom is playing now at Sydney Theatre Company.