Debra Campbell🥈

Author badges: 🥈 Silver Reviewer (36 reviews) Debra Campbell is the founder of Beyond Dance - proudly supporting Beyond Blue (@dance2forblue), which has raised many thousands of dollars for mental health. Debra is passionate that the Arts in all its forms can truly help one enjoy important time for themselves. She has lived a life of dance, theatre and visual art and believes therefore there are no ‘bad’ shows, there is ‘good’ in every show – “they are all different and will give you different experiences and feelings, so it is always worth venturing out to see one”. Returning to writing from her former years, Debra looks forward to meeting new artists and highlighting their creativity for everyone to appreciate. https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/fundraise-for-beyond-blue/posts/beyond-dance https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/t/dancetwoforblue

The Pirate Queen – An Epic Musical & Australian Premiere

20/07/2025 Debra Campbell🥈

The Pirate Queen Rating

★★★★★

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Based on the real-life story of history’s Grace O’Malley – an Irish Chieftain and notorious pirate, The Pirate Queen is an adventure chronicling the compelling, inspiring heroine who led an extraordinary life as a rogue, lover and mother in 16th-century Ireland. To protect her people and save her one true love, O’Malley must confront the one woman more powerful than her — her fierce rival, Queen Elizabeth I of England.

From the writers of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, the show combines classic storytelling and a sweeping score, with the powerful, vibrant traditions of Irish dance and song, to create a modern musical event that is both historic romance and a timeless epic.

Excited to be celebrating their 80th anniversary in 2025, MLOC Productions is the third oldest community theatre group in Australia. Founded in 1945 as the Mordialloc Philharmonic Society, they originally attracted return service men and their wives to form part of an 80-strong choir. Early performances included the opening of 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. By 1985, the group had become Mordialloc Light Opera Company (eventually abbreviated to MLOC) and have been performing a variety of productions in south-east Melbourne ever since. The Pirate Queen is an Australian first!

Being a new production to Australia, I had no idea what to expect and no pre-conceived expectations which is always adds difference either way because most shows (especially musicals) one has usually seen or at least heard about before. All I knew was that MLOC had done their amazing promo photo shoot at The Polly Woodside in Melbourne which intrigued me to see the show along with advice from a friend who went to the opening night and had loved it.

Firstly, this is a HUGE show requiring HUGE vocals and the main roles especially really have their work cut out for them in every song. HUGE applause therefore to Ella Fryer in her first lead role in a musical (playing ‘Grace O’Malley’) and Nickolas Brown, also his first lead role in a full-scale show (playing Grace’s true love ‘Tiernan’).

I think the character of Grace probably sang the equivalent of about an hour total, unbelievable stamina up there girl, good job!

Tiernan’s solo ‘I’ll Be There’ was a memorable rendition of heartfelt connection we hope all our men feel for us women, and coming from someone so young, very impressive!

Their entire supporting cast has enthusiasm to boot, (boots donned from the era of course). Varying ages in the show from Grace’s son (played by Jake Christie) to those like Evleen (played by Margot Sephton a MLOC life member) with a ton of stage presence over decades was lovely to see. It’s so important in theatre to bring up the next generation and that’s why I think community theatre groups just keep going full steam ahead; they are full of encouragement and support, both on and off the stage and they are not afraid to try something new.

The story of The Pirate Queen resonated a little of Disney’s ‘Mulan’ at the start as Grace pretends she’s a boy to get onto her father’s ship unnoticed, ‘Les Mis’ with sorrow and hardship, then throwing in some interesting accents similar to that given in ‘SIX’ and ‘Hamilton’. This newcomer to musical theatre certainly has the potential to fit in right where aiming its sword.

And no pirate themed anything would be complete without a sword fight or three. I particularly liked the one where they used slow motion and moderate strobe effect lighting (favourable note here that full/fast strobes are so unsuitable for many watching and though this show could’ve used them they didn’t).

Stormy seas are brought to life with the sudden drop of a massive sail giving us on our seats a gasp with it plummeting near the actors underneath, but yes, thankfully it was part of the theatrics, phew!

Transportation to the Emerald Isle is made authentic by the beautiful music and Celtic feel (special mention to Matthew Horsley, Claire Rainey & Brodie Nash on the pipes and whistles). The energy and true Irish dancing to this music has you toe tapping and there is great musicality in the choreography, as also noticed and mentioned by the friend I went with. We gave a shout out to Wendy Perrow. I couldn’t take my eyes off her quick feet embracing the poetry in motion of all those hops and heels up with the biggest smile of enjoyment on every step; she was having a ball portraying the Irish liveliness of more joyous scenes in weddings and birth celebrations (a baby born on stage, was a new one for me).

The costuming is exquisite; an embellished white gown of the Queen, the rich red and gold of those who guard her empire, and those dancing around the maypole with puffed sleeves, long petticoats and velvet ribbons – wonderful details along with those pirate outfits and boots on the ship sailing Clew Bay in 1558, the domain of the O’Malley clan.

‘Clan Rivalry’ is one thing I’ve experienced first-hand; I married a ‘Campbell’ and I found out you cannot visit the Highlands even these days without comments about their history with the ‘MacDonalds’ competing for dominance from every tour guide and pub owner…. However in this show the O’Malleys must make alliances with the O’Flaherty clan and so together the fathers of Grace O’Malley and Donal O’Flaherty (played entertainingly by Tyler Delacretaz) make a pact, and Tiernan, Grace’s true love, must step aside. Will he ever have the chance to reunite with her again? After all, Grace did say ‘you have my hand’ earlier…..

One thing is surely known after seeing The Pirate Queen’s curtain closing, the adventure spirit is alive and well in amateur theatre and I look forward to more shows from MLOC.

Congratulations to the creative team and cast, it takes bravery to put on a show that hasn’t been seen here before and you have conquered!

CAST

GRACE Ella Fryer
TIERNAN Nickolas Brown
LORD BINGHAM Keegan Dart
QUEEN ELIZABETH I Niamh McPartland
DONAL O’FLAHERTY Tyler Delacretaz
DUBHDARA Jarod Rhine-Davis
CHIEFTAN O’FLAHERTY Nicholas Bywater
EVLEEN Margot Sephton
MAJELLA Bridie Clark

Ensemble:
Amber Hoffman, Amy McKie, Arlo Hitchman, Bailey Ogden, Carmilo Idarrage, Christina Gladman, Edison Hernandez Castrillon, Hope Beale, Jake Christie, Lyndsay C Kirkham, Madeleine Fox, Maria Ah-Yu, Mikayla Brown, Shannon Woollard, Tanya Steele, Tegan Haywood, Shayla Warwick, Shelley Connell, Veronica Devlin, Wendy Perrow.

Playing: 1-19 July, 2025

Venue: Frankston Arts Centre, 27-37 Davey St. Frankston, Vic. The venue (undergoing some renovation currently didn’t affect our viewing) has its own paid car parking onsite, lots of street parking around the area plus heaps of restaurants and cafes, but there is also a generously sufficient bar, coffee and snack bar inside the theatre venue itself too.

Production Team:
Artistic Director – Chris Ryan
Musical Director – Matthew Pines
Choreographer – Bridie Clark
Vocal Director – Alyssa Sorgiovanni
Production Manager – Debbie Jenkins
Sound Designer – Daniel Bowen & James Dobson
Lighting Designer – Daniel Bowen & Chris Ryan
Costume Co-ordinator – Debbie Jenkins

Book by ALAIN BOUBLIL, CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG, RICHARD MALTBY JR.
Music By CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Lyrics By ALAIN BOUBLIL, RICHARD MALTBY JR., JOHN DEMPSEY

To book tickets to The Pirate Queen, please visit https://mloc.org.au/productions/the-pirate-queen/.

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The Diary Of Anne Frank

07/07/202507/07/2025 Debra Campbell🥈

The Diary Of Anne Frank Rating

★★★★★

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Globally, the name ‘Anne Frank’ is recognized either from history lessons, reading the book, seeing the movie, travelling to The Netherlands or seeing the play such as I saw tonight presented by Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company.

A theatre I had not been to before, the Lilydale Athenaeum Hall was built in 1888 and has itself a rich and interesting past, so immediately we step inside we are greeted with an ornate surrounding and red tapestry like walls depicting tales of those such as Dame Nellie Melba complete with her replica gowns. The ‘diary of a young girl’ on stage tonight has just as much power, strength and tenacity as any worthy legend.

It was my one regret when I travelled around the world that I did not visit the hiding place of Anne Frank and her family, the 17th-century canal building now known as Anne Frank House. Therefore, seeing this play, was like seeing inside what that place was like for her and her family and the people they welcomed in to stay with them in hiding in World War II. This family was nothing short of giving and kind and so were those risking their own lives who helped them.

Had it not been for a thief alerting the ‘green police’ to their hidden whereabouts, Anne’s family may have in fact survived the war. But it was only Anne’s father who came home and thereupon found Anne’s diary she had kept for their years in hiding. Having it originally published in 1947, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK gives an accurate account of what is was like for Jewish people in that terrible time, but at the same time, it gives a message of hope in how Anne, being a young teenager, could somehow look past the doom to visualize in her mind more of what the world might offer her.

Though Anne was not fortunate enough to survive the concentration camps after they were found in hiding in a small secret annex in Anne’s father’s Amsterdam business; in her diary she left a legacy of hope and a story of tremendous courage. It would be a privileged honour to play her character and Emily Barnes-Read, 18, in her first ‘community theatre’ production after multiple school lead roles, is so exceptional here that I felt every word from her was exactly how Anne would have spoken; how Anne would have felt; how Anne would have reacted.

Anyone who has raised teenage girls I’m sure would feel the same watching this show and my heart poured out love for Anne having to also overcome those challenging years of adolescence in such a cramped space – owing even more credit to her character and resilience and a credit to Emily’s star quality in conveying Anne’s every emotion as real as possible. Good poke of the tongue too!

There are some little laughs along the way. True friends help them stay hidden and bring them food. Food creates some of the comical situations and also those much more serious. The scene in which bread is eaten without permission highlights the acting abilities of Elizabeth Van Spronsen playing Anne’s mother, Edith. She was my favourite character in this show, inconspicuous at first as many mother figures are, but bellowing by the end that she will not stand for what is not right.

Anne’s father, Otto, played by David Spencer-Gardner, would be such a difficult role and David conquers it perfectly. He needs to be firm, tender, worried, confident, but above all he is a Dad and Anne loves him. I think one of the most beautiful parts of this play is Anne’s love for her Dad and how it shows the relationship of father-daughter support. It must have been a proud day her Dad first saw the work of Anne’s diary in print, very sad, but I’m sure very proud.

The story overall is somber of course as all war stories are, even ones that end well are usually still heart-stopping. However I expected to feel a lot more sad than I did at the end and I think this was because of the Director’s and Cast’s skills to extend to the audience in part a feeling of hope; that although these eight people lived in what none of us would ever want to contemplate, there was quiet hope within those walls that kept them safe one day at a time.

When finally the sirens blare; a scene you didn’t want to come but you knew it eventually would, because you know the story, I actually shallowed my breath. Everyone was frozen in their seats. At that moment we all witnessed these actors bring the reality and gut-wrenching feeling of that situation to us. All these years later, far far away from where it factually happened, we were there, you could sense their fear, their panic, their surrender to what was now inevitable. All I could think of afterwards is that I never want that feeling to be real for me or anyone I love; the world must make peace.

When Anne’s father reads Anne’s most important words from her writings, I am positive that almost no one in the audience could have avoided feeling emotional. Anne believed mostly “people are good at heart”. So may we all apply Anne’s spirit and message to this day and always. May we forever strive to live in a better world. A world of kindness and hope. And, as my own child packs (as I write this) to soon travel overseas for the first time on her own, I pray this is the future; sooner rather than later.

Congratulations to this wonderfully talented cast and production team. I have so much respect for all your efforts from casting and costuming to set, lighting and sound – you all brought together this very important play; a thought-provoking and humbling experience. THANK YOU and WELL DONE to the expertise of Kellie Tweeddale (Director) and Angela Glennie (Production Manager).

THE AMAZING CAST:

ANNE FRANK – Emily Barnes-Read
OTTO FRANK – David Spencer-Gardner
EDITH FRANK – Elizabeth van Spronsen
MARGOT FRANK – Em Beggs
PETER VAN DAAN – Jackson Langelaan
MRS VAN DAAN – Elizabeth Matjacic
MR VAN DAAN – Mark Crowe
MR DUSSEL – Jonathan Edwards
MIEP GIES – Alexandra Carter
MR KRALER – Jason Triggs

Based on THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Book by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich
Playing 3-19 July at Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company

Venue: 39-41 Castella Street, Lilydale. If you don’t live close to the theatre then make the time to travel, plus there’s a great restaurant GRACIOUS GRACE CAFÉ right next door which is open for dinner during theatre seasons and it is worth the trip!

Photographer: Alexandra Carter – Wanderling Photography

To book tickets to The Diary Of Anne Frank, please visit https://latc2020.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/137183.

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Mary Poppins: Mountain District Musical Society

24/06/202523/06/2025 Debra Campbell🥈

Mary Poppins Rating

★★★★★

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Mary Poppins would have to be one of the most well known stories from everyone’s childhood. To see it in a musical, no matter how many times you’ve seen it before, is always special! Producing this showstopper at the moment is Mountain District Musical Society.

Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Mary Poppins is an enchanting blend of an irresistible story, breathtaking dance numbers, and unforgettable songs – including classic favourites such as A Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Feed the Birds, and Step in Time.

Playing 13-22 June 2025 at Karralyka in Ringwood within a beautiful theatre, this show was a complete 5-star viewing. So good that my Mum who went with me said she would go again and she doesn’t even have young grandkids or know anyone in it as encouragement to see. This is a jubilant show for all ages.

Mary Poppins (played by Hannah Simos-Garner) is so practically perfect in every way of course! Hannah never loses her ability to keep in character with Mary’s ‘spit spot’ personality and even when she takes her bow at the end of an energetic finale she remains the ‘prim and proper’ person she is after having cast her magical talents over an amazing stage set and supported by a gifted cast.

Bert (played by Jason Sainsbury-King) is, I think, the best character in Mary Poppins; I’ve always loved him. He’s the sort of person we all want in our life; dependable, living in the moment, never gives up and steps in time with others and on his own. Jason gives a unique adaptation of Bert on stage – he’s funny and so engaging with the audience that we think at times we are about to jump in the show with him. “That was a little bit scary” he says as he pops out of the audience in one part and we all laugh; I again think how wonderful he is. And yes, some scenes are a touch scary, but it’s all done with crazy wonder, like a broken toy ‘Valentine’ (played by Hamish Williamson) squeezing through the cupboard to become life size in front of us with a bewildered ballerina, doll, bear, jester and more …

Downstairs at his desk at home or doing his important work at the bank, Mr George Banks (played by Cale Maclaren) is a stand-out. Cale’s experience shows off Mr Banks stout actions and soft side very well as the relied-upon cornerstone of the Banks family. Mrs Winifred Banks (played by Kelliann Brady) shines when she gets the chance to address her husband’s employers and you realise the story of ‘Mary Poppins’ is really about them, their family and what is actually important in having one.

The Banks children, Jane and Michael, are roles much sought after and the kids’ audition slots are usually quickly booked out. I’ve seen many an exceptional youngster reading out the letter to their ideal nanny in my time, but I applaud tenfold the two I saw tonight in Jane (played by 10 year old Mila Orchard, practically a veteran of theatre already) and Michael (played by 9 year old Charlie Laughton, a cello and piano player plus singer and dancer).

Mila has grown up in her family’s dance school and her training in not only dance, but vocal and acting is proven here. She holds the floor quite a lot with extensive dialogue and doesn’t forget about her actions in smaller details either. Charlie as Michael Banks has all his mischievous and comically naughty expressions down pat. I’ll bet he had tons of fun doing this show practicing them as he’s very genuine in his antics. Both of these kids are unforgettable as Jane and Michael, well done!!! (Note: the children’s roles are shared and you may see equally talented Clementine Lidstone and Elliott Hayes at a different show).

My favourite scene was without a doubt the unveiling of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious… go to see this nonsensical word come to life that has become synonymous with ‘Mary Poppins’ and its themes of joy and magic; in this show it is PURE JOY! Hugely well co-ordinated dancing by all, from the cutest littlest cast member Emersyn (also playing one of those cheeky penguins in the park scene), to Mary Poppins (Hannah belting it out confidently), in a spectacle on stage that will have you not wanting it to end (luckily they do an encore).

Following a close second to my favourite was naturally with my dance background ‘Step in Time’. How can you not love this rhythm. The ensemble get to show off here and they are brilliant!! Energy plus some!! What great choreography and geez the stage awareness by everyone – so much is going on; “yes, good job, woo hoo” I’m saying all the way through as they partner up and nail their formations. Tap dancing is a rarer skill displayed these days but you’ll definitely get a fix at this one. I’m always listening out for comments from the audience and after the show I heard a young boy say he wanted to learn to dance like the chimney people (his Mum said “you liked the noise?”) – how gorgeous and it’s worth having your kids be noisy to learn tap.

My Mum’s favourites were Mrs Brill, Robertson Ay and Ellen (played by Felicity Eastwood, Jacob Sellenger and Laura Steel), three hired help in the Banks household who will have you in fits at their harmonious but hilarious chaotic shenanigans.

I have to mention a few others too (did I say this show is AMAZING):

The meaningful and heartfelt ‘Feed the Birds’ solo by Marina Martin whereupon you never look at flocking pigeons in the same way again and there was a tear in my eye when Mr Banks favoured her plea – the look on Marina’s face said it all; kindness is king.

A shout out to the formidable nanny come-back of Miss Andrew’s ‘Holy-Terror’ ways hitting vocal notes that had the audience awe-struck and was once again portrayed perfectly by Sarah Power (her make-up made the character look fierce but in a comical way which I thought was better for kids viewing, so well done by the costuming team).

Mrs Corry (played by Nicole Kapiniaros-Anson) and her brightly-haired daughters – fabulous costuming and fabulous voices and dramatic involvement – loved them and the wigs! And for everyone all around them, BRAVO, you’re all on it, in it and living live theatre to the full.

I also liked watching the girl with the yellow kite dancing and all the kites flying on stage. Theatre shows can bring us such lovely reminders of memories we hold dear from our own childhood days or those of watching our own children discover. The looks of excitement in flying a kite is one – caught by the smiley ensemble members who make the show what it is overall, they add the backing board for those lead roles to be in a realistic moment.

I could go on and on, but Bert finally closes the door at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, leaving a happy family inside and having said a happy farewell to Mary Poppins before she flies across the sky, but also leaves the audience skipping out and having ‘a spoonful of sugar’ or ‘chim chim cher-ee’ happily singing in our heads.

Congratulations Mountain District Musical Society. For information on future shows of MDMS, please visit: https://www.mdms.org.au/

CAST:

MARY POPPINS – HANNAH SIMOS-GARNER
BERT – JASON SAINSBURY-KING
GEORGE BANKS – CALE MACLAREN
WINIFRED BANKS – KELLIANN BRADY
JANE BANKS – MILA ORCHARD / CLEMENTINE LIDSTONE
MICHAEL BANKS – CHARLIE LAUGHTON / ELLIOTT HAYES
MRS BRILL – FELICITY EASTWOOD
ROBERTSON AY – JACOB SELLENGER
ELLEN – LAURA STEEL
ADMIRAL BOOM – MICHAEL GIBSON
MISS LARK – ELLEN LANE
MRS CORRY – NICOLE KAPINIARIS-ANSON
BIRD WOMAN – MARINA MARTIN
MISS ANDREW – SARAH POWER
NELEUS – HAMISH WILLIAMSON
BANK CHAIRMAN – STEVE ATKINSON
KATIE NANNA / MISS SMYTH – ELEANOR HORSBURGH
PARK KEEPER / JOHN NORTHBROOK – RYAN JACOBS
VON HUSSLER – NICK TOOVEY
POLICEMAN – DAVE SLY

ENSEMBLE & ARTISTS:

CALLUM HALSTEAD
ADDISON WILLIAMSON
ALLEGRA JACOBS
LEXI ZACHARIASSEN
OLIVIA SIMOS-GARNER
EMERSYN ORCHARD
ISABELLE DA COSTA
RUBY QUINN
CHLOE FONG
ISLA EVERETT
EMILY ABRAHAM
SONIA AGJEE
JENNA AL BUSAIDI
CHARLIE BARNETT
ALEX CORR
AMELIE EVERETT
MELISSA HILL
TYLER LEVY
LUCY BRADY
JESSICA CLARK
BEC CORNELL
KRISTY CORNELL
NICOLE ROTENSTEIN
ALI STEWART
CADENCE VALK
STEPHANIE VIENET

Director: Anne Dewar, Musical Director: Vicki Quinn, Choreographer: Amber Orchard, Stage Manager: Craig Dewer, Production Manager: Lyn Alexander, Set Design: Chris White, Lighting Design: Yaz Sesta, Sound Design: Peter Philip / David Drew, Program Design: Emily Dewar, Projection & Video Design: Brenton Van Vliet.

The amateur theatre group of MDMS has commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for people of all cultures, beliefs, identities and abilities. Community theatre at its best so don’t miss BEAUTY AND THE BEAST next year with MDMS.

Venue: Karralyka Theatre is at 22A Mines Rd, Ringwood and is easy to get to with plenty of parking. Comfortable seating and good viewing whether you sit front or back rows.

Photographer: Gavin D Andrew

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MY FAIR LADY – Closing Week!

12/06/202511/06/2025 Debra Campbell🥈

My Fair Lady Rating

★★★★★

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See it by Sunday!

One of the greatest musicals of all time, now playing June 6 – June 15 at The Round: My Fair Lady (based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion) tells the story of Cockney flower-girl Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins who takes a bet that he can pass her off as a lady within 6 months. Made famous by Julie Andrews & Rex Harrison, My Fair Lady won many awards and broke many records since its Broadway debut in 1956. The music is universally known and loved and includes timeless songs such as: Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, With A Little Bit Of Luck, The Rain In Spain, I Could Have Danced All Night, On The Street Where You Live and Get Me To The Church On Time.

The write-up on Babirra Musical Theatre’s website sums it up; this is an all-time favourite, but not one you see being produced often anymore. Suitable for all ages, Babirra have gratefully given the script, set and costuming their expertise and it’s especially a no-brainer for your grandparents to go see. Tickets would make a great gift for them too: https://babirra.org.au/

Having followed the journey of leading lady, Siobhan Judge, playing ‘Eliza Doolittle’, and with my own daughter having taken singing lessons with Siobhan for a while, I predicted she’d probably be fantastic! Exactly that she is; in every scene and every song! Siobhan grew up in the Australian Girls’ Choir and later graduated from Monash University; taking the role of ‘performing arts teacher’ at Melbourne Girls College. Apparently the students love her and I bet she will have carloads from the school grabbing group bookings to be WOWed by seeing both her extraordinary vocal talents in fine tune and acting skills up close in this demanding role. The show is also Siobhan’s debut with Babirra and that’s saying something about how well she plays Eliza – she was made for it and I’m sure she gave this impression in auditions from the start.

So, after being awe-struck by Siobhan’s ability, equally another star performer in the show is Tim Maloney playing her on-stage father ‘Alfred Doolittle’. The belly-laughs from him and from us were non-stop as he commanded our attention from the very first words he spoke and I knew straight away he was going to be a stand out in this production. I learn from the program that Tim has done over 80 musicals, yes 80! No stranger at all to getting full attention from the audience, he shows off that he wholeheartedly loves performing and we loved watching him. In fact, by the end of the show, we were smiling as soon as he stepped out of the wings before he even did anything at all and we were cheering out loud when he took his bow, yet we did not know him prior. Bravo!

‘Henry Higgins’ is a masterful character and masterfully played by Mark Monroe. This character is a bit of a mix up and he’s interesting fun, but mostly (given the dialogue in today’s era) you might want to tell him to be ‘more like a woman’ rather than vote for his desire to have women behave more like men! Mark is excellent though, I laughed at how he paced up and down puzzled by Eliza and her outbursts or trying to control her and teach her to speak properly like a ‘lady’. His colleague on set is of course ‘Colonel Pickering’ played by Tim Murphy, another gem on stage as the kinder of the two gentlemen for the most part. Both are eager to see however if Eliza, with 24/7 linguistic education from Henry, can go from being a ‘common flower girl’ on the street where they met her, to fool those in high society that she might be a ‘duchess’ or maybe even ‘royalty’.

‘Mrs Pearce’ (Henry Higgins’ housekeeper), played by Fiona Carter, isn’t certain she agrees or not with such an idea, but she convincingly helps to care for and look out for Eliza, and Fiona was wonderful in her genuinity.

I waited with anticipation for where Henry says ‘I think she’s got it’ and ‘The Rain in Spain’ from Eliza’s new found pronunciation consumes the auditorium with her operatic flair. I asked Siobhan after the show if going from a tricky ‘Cockney’ accent to a most ‘posh’ English one was hard to perfect. She smiled and said being ‘posh’ was easy, but the Cockney took some practice – she readily had to let go of any embarrassment in rehearsals with extended ‘ahhhhs’ and many an elongated e. I daresay much of the cast had to spend quite a bit of time running lines similarly with the accents required and it’s paid off well as this show wouldn’t be what it is without the vocabulary detail.

A ‘test’ outing at the races is one of the most entertaining scenes (complete with loud galloping sound effects), and brings to the stage a loveable enthusiastic ‘Freddy’ played irresistibly by Charles Conway and a not so enthusiastic character in Henry’s very proper mother, played beautifully and engagingly by Patricia McCracken. I always ask someone at interval how they are enjoying the show and two appreciating ladies answered ‘yes, they are all very strong aren’t they and we love the mother, she’s our age’ haha, Patricia had deservingly won their hearts. I think this a special part of live theatre; connecting with certain actors, not just within the show but for you personally.

Exceptional work from the whole cast, ensemble was energetic and polished; enjoyed so much the dancers in the imaginary scene and watching the ballroom. Congratulations to all!

Finally, I note I don’t usually review shows where I know lead cast members, but it was indeed a pleasure to see Siobhan pull off ‘Eliza’ knowing this role was a dream come true for her. A group of theatre-lovers, such as BABIRRA, provide individuals the chance to do something they are passionate about, but who may not necessarily want (or choose) to pursue a professional career in that tough industry. A big thank you to the committee and volunteers of ‘amateur theatre’ whose efforts make this happen, and, in the process, give us (the audience) the chance to see more shows.

Babirra Music Theatre is a long well-established musical production company and has always encouraged involvement and participation from the local community, both in performing and behind-the-scenes. Don’t miss this show MY FAIR LADY, or their next: GREASE!

Ticket link and details to be involved via https://babirra.org.au/

Instagram: babirra_music_theatre

Venue: The Round, 379 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, is, I think, the very best suburban theatre in Melbourne and likely the biggest newer one – opening in 2023. Easy to get to, park at and with arguably the most comfortable seats and extensive (vegan inclusive) canteen you’ll enjoy in a theatre venue anywhere, plus great coffee before, during and after interval with tables and chairs to wait and chat with the cast afterwards. Very easy access for wheelchairs and assisted-walkers – ‘retirement village’ buses were lined up at the matinee we went to and cars can pull up in a drop-off zone straight outside the door. Enjoy!

CAST:

Eliza Doolittle played by Siobhan Judge
Prof. Henry Higgins played by Mark Monroe
Colonel Pickering played by Tim Murphy
Alfred Doolittle played by Tim Maloney
Mrs Higgins played by Patricia McCracken
Mrs Pearce played by Fiona Carter
Freddy played by Charley Conway
Zolton Karpathy played by Matthew Davies

FEATURED ENSEMBLE
Jamie, friend of Alfred, Lord Boxington – Steven Keane
Harry, friend of Alfred – Brent Denison
Higgins’ butler – Mark Curran
Higgins’ footman – Paul Ash
Mrs Hopkins & Mrs Eynsford-Hill – Ann Hubbard
Queen of Transylvania & Lady Boxington – Catherine Bolzonello
George, Bartender – Garry Barcham

ENSEMBLE:
Esther Bruerton
Owen Davies
Isobel Edmondson
Michael Fang
Emma Gilding
Mia Grasso
Beth Hanlon
Steph Herbert
Abby James
Christine James
Alysa Kimpton
Yvette Lipovetsky
Aaron McBride
Tommy Murphy
Lotte Papson
Liam Rosewarne
Avalon Waterfall

Director – Alan Burrows
Musical Director – Marty Macaulay
Choreographer – James Kaiser
Assistant Director – Mark Cluning
Set Design – Barry Pearce
Costume Designer – Ely Tapp
Co-Production Managers – Jo Brincat, Steve Cavell
Hair/Make-up, Wigs – Louise Reeder, Maren Holm
Set Construction – Garry Barcham and Team

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Gavin D. Andrew
Design: @luke.jay.designs

To book tickets to My Fair Lady, please visit https://www.theround.com.au/whats-on/my-fair-lady-babirra.

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