Clue On Stage

Clue On Stage

At the Phoenix Ensemble Theatre located in the Beenleigh Showgrounds, Footlight Theatrical has performed a hilarious rendition of Clue On Stage this weekend. The theatre itself is cozy and compact, the audio is flawless, and there’s plenty of parking. For a murder mystery fan, this was a perfect whodunnit.

Six Washington-located personalities have been invited to dinner with the mysterious Mr Boddy. Instead of their host, they’re introduced to the butler, the snarky and evasive Mr Wadsworth.

Clue On Stage

All the guests have been given pseudonyms to hide their real identities, and the dinner takes a torrid turn as their newly arrived host winds up dead. Boddy has hidden evidence linking all the guests to their indiscretions, so they must find his killer and his stash of secrets before the police arrive.

Clue On Stage had people in stitches on Friday night, from the incredible acting to the set design. The set had comedic Easter eggs throughout, from the “Eat, Prey, Love” sign in the kitchen to the murder weapon-stained glass door. I wonder how Mr Boddy explained those to the decorator. 

Liam McDonell was definitely the star, running the show as Mr Wadsworth. McDonell showed his range as he ran through a summary of the show’s first half, himself playing every character. Genevieve Tree gave a hilarious performance as Mrs Peacock, a senator’s wife with her share of vices, from having a bump to booze to bribery. The audience watches her spiral out with stress while unravelling her mysterious link to the chef (Maegan Micola von Furstenrecht).

Alas, Clue On Stage was playing for only one weekend so for those who enjoy a night out at the theatre, stay tuned for any upcoming Footlights Theatrical Inc productions in the future. This was an entertaining show and a lovely night out in Beenleigh, thanks to Footlight Theatrical, and I cannot wait to see what shows they put on next.

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Meet The Actor – Confessions of a Serial Killer

Confessions of a Serial Killer

Confessions of a Serial Killer is coming to Brisbane on the 6th of October, and here we take the time to chat with Actor/Director Garth Remington in our Meet The Actor Series.

So let’s put the spotlight on Garth and learn more about him and the Confessions of a Serial Killer Production.

Meet The Actor - Garth Remington

About Garth

Why do you want to be an actor?

I love performing in live shows, seeing the audience’s instant reactions or viewing the finished product after filming projects.

What do you enjoy most about acting?

Seeing all the little ways you can help improve a project. It’s incredibly gratifying when you find a way to add something that takes the whole production to another level.

What productions have you acted in before?

I’ve been involved in Dark Stories since its first show in Brisbane, including The Haunting, Female of the Species, and To Hunt a Killer. I am also a standup comedian, improviser, sketch writer/performer, voice-over, and I’ve had a few film and commercial roles.

Do you want to work in film, live theatre or both?

I have been involved in both, and each has pros and cons. With film, you get to create complicated and perfected work, but in live theatre, you make something new every night, tailored to the audience’s needs on any given night.

How do you maintain your physical and emotional health while working on demanding projects?

You must include a decompression after a show run. Celebrate your achievements and take a stress break before taking on the next project.

Are there any particular genres or types of roles that you prefer or feel most comfortable in?

I’ve enjoyed all kinds of roles including thriller, dramatic and even romantic but my favourite is comedy hands down.

Have you ever had to improvise during a performance? If so, can you share an example?

All the time. Anything can happen in immersive theatre, and you have to be flexible. I’ve had a co-star forget their lines on stage, so I dived on the grenade (so to speak) and improvised as my character to give them and the rest of the cast a chance to regroup. It’s a good feeling to know you have everyone’s back.

Are you comfortable with performing stunts or action scenes? If so, what kind of training have you had?

I am; I’ve done a lot of martial arts and feel comfortable with breakfalls and fight choreography.

About Confessions of a Serial Killer

What sort of person is going to love this show?

Any fans of crime thrillers, murder mysteries or spooky things in general.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

Immersive theatre is a unique format that can’t be experienced anywhere else. Every single session is different as the audience will get involved under actor direction. As an actor you never know what to expect.

Who should not come see this show?

People who are not up for a scare. 

What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

After the show, I’d expect the audience to go home with lots of food for thought. I’m sure they will question their own morals and consider the nature of good and evil.

How is this production bringing something new to this story?

We have thought through the relationships between characters and found some fun. There will be a few laughs between the thrills.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

The audience interactions: this show is not on a stage; we will be amongst the crowd, and unexpected things will happen.

Is there something else you’d really like to say?

Every Dark Stories production is unlike anything you will ever experience. There are so many reasons people will like this show, but you will never find another show like this.

Garth can be seen in Confessions of a Serial Killer, which only runs for three nights, from the 6th to the 8th of October, in the secluded sections of creepy Minnippi Parklands.

Assassins – The Revusical

Assassins

In the lovely Beenleigh Crete Street Theatre, Assassins is a dark comedic revusical (part revue, part musical) telling the stories of the nine men and women who have successfully or unsuccessfully tried to kill a president of the United States. It skips down through the ages from Lincoln to Reagan. It reimagines a world where history brought these people together, meeting throughout time. If you’re a history buff or just a lover of fun musicals, this one is to die for.

Assassins

Cult members, stalker fans, bottle makers, and a man with a stomach ache all shared the same dream: to kill the president of the United States of America. Some things unite all sorts of people. Nine people wanted to be remembered throughout history, to shoot their shot at infamy.

The audience laughed throughout the play, especially at Lynette Fromme (Amelia Burton) and Sara Jane Moore (Alison Pattinson). Their chemistry together was phenomenal, but the performance that really killed the audience was the deranged ramblings of Samuel Byck that Dan Konstantinos brought to life. He must have been gunning to stand out.

Adam Goodall sang throughout, talking to each of the assassins through the ages before his reveal at the end that I won’t spoil. Michael Ware assures us the trick to curing any ailment is to assassinate a president, or at least it can’t hurt to try.

I give only the highest praise to the live orchestra, directed by Ben Richards, who set the scenes perfectly. The live band added so much to the show’s feel, and they are all so talented. Issac Brown directed the actors, doing a fantastic job. The show ran for 100 minutes without an intermission and just left people wanting more.

If you’d like to take a shot at having a lovely evening, pull the trigger and get tickets to Assassins, the opportunity won’t last long. It will leave you laughing and with some more serious questions about what the American dream truly is.

With just two weekends remaining, grab your tickets for Assassins for any one of the following sessions:-

  • Fri 6th Oct, Evening 8:00 PM
  • Sat 7th Oct, Matinee, 2:00 PM
  • Sat 7th Oct, Evening, 8:00 PM
  • Fri 13th Oct, Evening 8:00 PM
  • Sat 14th Oct, Matinee, 2:00 PM
  • Sat 14th Oct, Evening, 8:00 PM
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The Crime is Mine – French Comedy Murder Mystery Film

The Crime is Mine is the latest from acclaimed director François Ozon and features French stars Isabelle Huppert and Dany Boon, supported by a stellar cast including Fabrice Luchini, André Dussollier, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and Rebecca Marder. Take a step back to 1930s Paris, as ‘The Crime Is Mine’ follows young and struggling actress Madeline and her loyal friend Pauline.

The film begins with Madeleine being accused of murdering a renowned producer. Assisted by her friend Pauline, a jobless young lawyer, Madeleine is acquitted, claiming self-defence. Astonishingly, her life transforms into one of fame and fortune, with secrets lurking beneath the surface.

The first thing that stood out was the chemistry between the lead females, Madeline (Nadia Tereskiewicz) and Pauline (Rebecca Marder). There is a theme of sisterhood between this pair throughout the film. Pauline consistently goes the extra mile to ensure a lavish lifestyle for the two friends. Another humorous addition to the cast was Isabelle Huppert, who plays former silent film star Odette Chaumette.

François Ozon sets the scene of the 1930s with his visual style, over-the-top acting and a series of plot twists, each more unlikely than the last. The potential flashback scenes of the murder were almost straight out of an old silent film from the 1930s era. Much like films from this era, characters can switch from serious to funny.

The costumes and make-up add to the story as they reflect the period. We watch Madeleine and Pauline’s outfits become more extravagant as the story evolves. The over-the-top outfits worn by Odette added to the larger-than-life character. The production design and soundtrack contribute to the atmosphere set in The Crime is Mine.

The Crime is Mine is an entertaining film that makes comedy and murder work in the same story. It is not always clear where the film will take you next, and the plot twists are funny and unexpected. Although there is some over-acting, this was intentional and not to be taken too seriously.

With more than 1 million admissions at the French box office, The Crime is Mine is the European comedy hit of 2023 and will be released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, 12th October. Oui oui!

This review also appears on It’s On The House.