I can’t believe that prior to last night I had never heard of CALVIN BERGER: A MUSICAL COMEDY, because boy have I been missing out on something really special!
The fantastic musical is a modernised adaptation of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, a classic play written by Edmond Rostand, and is being proudly showcased at the Civic Playhouse, presented by UpStage and Hyde Entertainment and directed by Amber Curby and Seb Smee.
The story centres around four teenagers struggling through the tumultuous years of High School. They are each grappling with their own insecurities, bringing light to the truth that even those we perceive as being; the prettiest, the smartest, the coolest, all still doubt their self worth at times.
It’s a heartfelt message to all teens to be mindful of others’ feelings and to note that you never really know what inner demons your peers may be battling. Although there are some underlying subtle messages, the musical is incredibly lighthearted and hilarious, reminiscent of a 90s romcom.
All four leads were an absolute standout! Both the acting and vocals of each were nothing short of brilliant. The Vocal Director – Gabrielle Connett has delivered commendable vocal instruction to the talented young cast, who all portrayed great skill in their solos and ensemble harmonies.
Seb Smee, an up and coming superstar of Newcastle and certainly beyond, is the assistant director and producer and also plays the lead character Calvin Berger. His comedic delivery, tiny nuances and vocals are flawless. Seb, you are a young genius and I will be thrilled to attend your future productions.Â
The ever-witty and delightfully nerdy best friend of Calvin, Bret, was performed superbly by Zoe Chan. Zoe’s characterisation and comedic dramatic skills were indeed A+ and I really enjoyed her convincing character delivery.
Finlay Page delivered a superb portrayal of the gorgeous and highly sought after Rosanna. Finlay gave great depth to her complex character and also delivered wonderful vocal performances throughout the show. Jude Schiller absolutely nailed the âhandsome jockâ character, Matt. He displayed superb natural acting and an impressive vocal timbre, range and skill. A highly commendable and impressive performance all round.
#image_title
The set design was very creative and I was impressed with how effective it was in creating depth and dimension to the small space they had to work with. A special shout out to the fantastic work from the sound and lighting technicians, I appreciated the pleasant sound balance and the âwetnessâ in the microphone settings.
The Calvin Berger musical has âscoresâ of laugh out loud hilarious moments (yes, pun intended), and I think the entire audience, myself included, were shocked by the talent and professionalism of these young performers. Calvin Berger is an immensely enjoyable and relatable production particularly appealing to ages 13+ and I urge you to support these incredibly talented young artists and help keep local theatre thriving.
Mary Poppins would have to be one of the most well known stories from everyoneâs childhood. To see it in a musical, no matter how many times youâve 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 â 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 doesnât 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 Maryâs âspit spotâ personality and even when she takes her bow at the end of an energetic finale she remains the âprim and properâ 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; Iâve always loved him. Heâs 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 – heâs funny and so engaging with the audience that we think at times we are about to jump in the show with him. âThat was a little bit scaryâ 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 itâs all done with crazy wonder, like a broken toy âValentineâ (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 âŠ
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. Caleâs 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 husbandâs employers and you realise the story of âMary Poppinsâ 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 kidsâ audition slots are usually quickly booked out. Iâve 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 familyâs 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 doesnât forget about her actions in smaller details either. Charlie as Michael Banks has all his mischievous and comically naughty expressions down pat. Iâll bet he had tons of fun doing this show practicing them as heâs very genuine in his antics. Both of these kids are unforgettable as Jane and Michael, well done!!! (Note: the childrenâs roles are shared and you may see equally talented Clementine Lidstone and Elliott Hayes at a different show).
#image_title#image_title
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 âMary Poppinsâ 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 âStep in Timeâ. 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; âyes, good job, woo hooâ Iâm saying all the way through as they partner up and nail their formations. Tap dancing is a rarer skill displayed these days but youâll definitely get a fix at this one. Iâm 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 âyou liked the noise?â) – how gorgeous and itâs worth having your kids be noisy to learn tap.
My Mumâs 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 âFeed the Birdsâ 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 Marinaâs face said it all; kindness is king.
A shout out to the formidable nanny come-back of Miss Andrewâs âHoly-Terrorâ 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 âa spoonful of sugarâ or âchim chim cher-eeâ 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 donât 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.
This is burlesque with bite. I walked into Confessions of a Drama Queen expecting fishnets and feathers, but what I got was something far bolder: a woman reclaiming her life, body, and sexuality, on her own terms and in her own glorious style. Yes, itâs sexy but also soulful, self-aware, and delightfully risque; equal parts sparkle and steel.
Behind the lashes, lingerie and big belt vocals of Songbird Siren is Megan Walshe. A seasoned Sydney burlesque bombshell whoâs earned her stripes wowing crowds from sultry lounges to cruise ship catwalks. She was also a finalist in the MX Burlesque NSW 2024 competition, with the scars and strut to prove it.
The structure of this one-hour show is deceptively loose and fanciful; a lively blend of skits, strips, vaudeville flair, memoir melodies, and clowning, all seamlessly stitched together. Occasionally, live piano flirts with a syncopated rhythm, adding a wink to the unfolding scenes. Songbird leads us through a raucous, rhinestone-strewn maze of glamour, heartbreak, and hilarity. The journey is a playful yet pointed provocation.
Confessions of a Drama Queen isnât just cabaret. Itâs a backstage pass to the gritty reality of performance life in Sydney through the eyes of a kick arse woman who spins sugar from the sour. It’s a tale of grit and staying power, of clutching your calling tight even when the world buries it beneath bills, rejections, and relentless grind. So while you get the naughty tassels and tease galore, youâll also be caught in the sweat and stamina.
Thereâs something deeply compelling and ironically voyeuristic in our fascination with what goes on behind the scenes: the heartbreak and the side hustles that fund the dream. While recounting her 27 no-skill jobs, from fairy floss spinner to Maccaâs drive-through worker, she performs a fabulous ABBA medley that turns her struggle into something defiant, delivered with flair and self-deprecating humour.
Two clowns (Alexis Hutchinson and Carla Field) provided sharply timed satire as her assistants, and a third silent-yet-essential presence, Jared Jekyll, quietly and comically tidied the trail of costumes and props left in her wake. Together, they conjure a world of slapstick and sincerity with pitch-perfect absurdity whilst effortlessly layering the commentary onto the main story.
Throughout the show, Songbird unfolded her personas much like Gypsy Rose Leeâs life, marked by reinvention and resilience behind the glamour. From desperate musical theatre graduate to cheesy cruise ship numbers, then a very clever slow transition from strip club kitten to full-blown Showgirl Glamazon. This final form shimmered with self-possession. Her performance of âNever Smile at a Crocodileâ was a standout. A song Iâd never thought much of became, in her hands, a metaphor for staying away from those who diminish you or refuse to see you. She sang it with such tender poise and knowing, it struck a quiet, powerful chord.
Hayes Theatre Co has carved a reputation as Sydneyâs home for bold new work where musicals get gutsy and cabaret sharpens its edge. Their Winter Cabaret Season champions fearless voices in an intimate jewel box that consistently punches well above its weight, giving Sydneyâs most adventurous performances the audience they deserve.
Confessions of a Drama Queen is less a performance and more a full-body reveal; a sparkle-soaked chronicle of survival and sheer showbiz grit. Equal parts showstopper, confessional, and comeback story, itâs the backstage juice weâre all secretly dying to hear. Donât miss it; sass up, sparkle on, and get ready for a truth-telling strip with heart.
Apologies in advance, I tried to catch as many names of these talented performers as possible but I have definitely missed some and will jumble them up. Homo Grown was an absolute treat! For this queer musical lover, it was like a slice of Heaven.
Host and co-founder of âHome Grown Ausâ, Nick Ledger, opened us with Princess by Matthew Lee Robinson. Home Grown Aus, co-founded by Nick and husband Ben Nicholson, is the grassroots movement championing and producing original new works in Australian musical theatre. I actually attended a reading of âMackenzieâ by one my favourite musical theatre writers, Yve Blake, earlier in the week. That was produced by Home Grown and Hayes Theatre.
Our next act was a stunning cameo by Australiaâs first female Prime Minister, performed by Mandy Isher. It brought the house down and the energy up to stay.
McBeanie and Hurley then performed a duet based on their musical chronicling the life and times of (very) obscure playwright, Robert Wiseman. This was a cute little back and forth called âThe First Time I Met Youâ and left us with heart eyes for this real life couple.
Powerhouse Carla then took to the stage with âWeâve Got Chemistryâ by Jordy Thomas. Those pipes!! Carla has power and presence and a sexy, sultry voice. With this melting âOohâ that was like liquid chocolate! And I even I understood most of the chemistry puns, despite flunking science! Carla lights up the room and is an artful performer.
Yasheith performed âOne Day In Septemberâ by Maverick and Cohen, about a closeted football star. Yakeithâs performance was earnest and nuanced, with unique use of dramatic timing. Such a beautiful voice too.
Nick Hedger returned to the stage with a love song for the gamers, nerds and misfits. It was a rock opera style ballad that hit the feels.
Robbie Alexander gave us a taste of the opening of their upcoming musical, warning it would be long and referred to it as their âBohemian Rhapsodyâ. It was such a wonderful song that leaves me wanting to watch the whole musical. Charlie is the main character, who just canât make main character status, so âOther Charlieâ steals their limelight. The two Charlies and an ensemble of three delivered this number, with Charlieâs therapistâs voice being absolutely extraordinary!
Nick returned for an homage to Peter Allen which was poignant and touching.
The next was from a musical about netball. The names here got quite muddled for me. I think Sophie Davies and Harry Collins may be the composers. Lauren introduced the mother/daughter duo performance of âMarried To Netballâ which was absolutely hilarious and both Addie Robinson and Sinead Christado nailed the song.
We then finished with an entirely canât-possibly-be-human performance by Carla once more. As a singer myself, I was left completely at a loss as to how one voice can do so many things and yet make it look like itâs the simplest thing in the world! I told my Plus One that Carla has to be AI!
It was such a wonderful and joyful hour of celebrating queer musical theatre creatives. I am already a big fan of Home Grown and the work they are doing, and I am so excited to see these upcoming new works and more of these incredible performers. Australia really does have talent!
