The Marvelous Wonderettes by the Maitland Musical Society captures all the kitsch and fabulous fluffiness of 50s frocks, with costuming, props, and dialogue dragged directly from the past.
The show draws the audience in as we watch the “award-winning” (hey, third place is still a win) prom singers devolve before our eyes. Their high school angst-filled youth is captured beautifully in each individual character—and individual they were—each being unique and well set apart from the others.
The actresses really did the girls’ characters justice, never breaking character despite the numerous bouts of audience participation in the show. Due to their commitment, you will undoubtedly be able to recognise characters from your own high school days, regardless of whether that’s a good thing or not…
The music features toe-tapping tunes with popular hits from ‘way back when’ and some lesser-known ones for those who want to experience some new songs from the era. The cast had a good blend of voices with each other and the music, though they were occasionally overpowered by the live band, who sat onstage with the cast and also got into the show, dancing along with their own tunes. Their presence really adds to the live prom feel.
There were a couple of minor tech issues, including mics turning off and lights being slightly off cue, but for their opening performance, some teething issues are to be expected, which will no doubt be streamlined as the season progresses.
There are some strobe lighting effects used multiple times throughout the show, so be prepared lest you be caught off guard. Kudos to the wardrobe team, who created colourful costumes perfect for the era and the characters; the wigs themselves were almost scene-stealers!
Finally, the venue and staff were just amazing, offering homemade snacks as sweet as the Marvelous Wonderettes would like you to think they are. Overall, it was a marvellous experience, and I applaud the Maitland Musical Society for putting on such an amazing, entertaining show.
The show runs for only one more week with sessions as follows:-
Sun 2nd June 2pm
Fri 7th June 7pm
Sat 8th June 7pm
Sun 9th June 2pm
Please don’t miss out, and when you get there, don’t forget to take a selfie at ‘The Prom’!
The cast of Limbo The Return, was extraordinary! Playing to a packed sell-out house at The Grand Electric, their opening Sydney performance transported the audience to a place of colour, music, and sensory loading. The award-winning creatives from Strut and Fret and director Scott Maidment will no doubt equal if not surpass the success of their previous show Blanc de Blanc last year and their encore in March, with this high energy vaudeville show.
There is no one particular category of entertainment that Limbo The Return can fit into. It has different elements of expertise in the acts. Limbo takes the music of the cool underground party club scene with a New Orleans feel, tosses it with a bit of French cabaret, modern dance, comedy, adding an aerial acrobatics circus spectacle to create a distinctly unique show.
The live music which continuously played throughout the show delved into the essence of each individual stage act, playing even when the crew were setting up the next performance. From the first introduction, I could tell that this was not going to be an ordinary soundtrack. We were introduced to the cast walking on stage, silently like models on a runway, to an encompassing and eclectic mix of music and sound. It was certainly a catwalk for the curious.
Composer and sound artist Sxip Shirey developed what he calls “jank” – sexy, crunchy, underground music – when he was travelling around the world.
The soundtrack not only featured traditional instruments such as synthesizers, keyboards, drums and guitar, but mostly unusual instruments such as the Polymba, designed and built by musical artist Mick Stuart, and the sousaphone – a big marching tuba, played by multi-instrumentalist Grant Arthur. Shirey, a sonic pioneer, is onstage with the band, creating sound stories using his voice with effects, a bullhorn, several harmonicas, whistles, marbles and even a glass bowl!
The cast of six took turns individually and at times together to perform gravity defying and jaw dropping acts. Each artist was a master of their trade. Choreographer Hilton Denis’ acts were comical and interactive, and at one time he even conducted the audience, involving them to be part of the music. His dancing was precise and interpretive.
David Marco Pintado held the audience spellbound with many of his acts, most notably his skill and acrobatic balance on the slackrope, even using a chair as his prop. Clara Fable’s vocals were beautiful during one of her acts, and at another time, she brought the stage literally alight with her synergetic relationship with fire. Her fire breathing and fire swallowing, amongst other things she did was incredible! Mikael Bres held us in awe with his prowess on the Chinese pole. He was so smooth with his movement gliding up the pole, he made himself appear weightless, especially when he stuck himself out at angles from the pole.
It was clear from her aerial circus skills that Maria Moncheva came from a background of ballet and contemporary dance. Her chain hanging act was a visual spectacle. Ben Loader completed this outstanding cast, most notably with his precise acrobatic skills on aerial rope. He captivated the audience with his strength and skill, seemingly playful with the rope, bending it to his will and defying gravity.
Whilst the artists were working their magic, the lighting (and set designer) by Philip Gladwell was mesmerising. He created a world in which these beautiful creatures were captured on stage, highlighting and shadowing as needed. One standout moment was the use of handheld mirrors and light, combined with the music to create an otherworldly perception.
The sexy and sometimes flamboyant, sometimes less-is-more costume design worn by the cast and musicians by Lucy Scott created the strong theme throughout this production.
Limbo is the place believed to be between heaven and hell, the setting for this show. The creators have told their story perfectly, amongst these unearthly, talented artists, floating white feathers and fire.
Limbo The Return is 100 minutes including interval. It is running from 30 May – 18 August 2024 at The Grand Electric, Sydney. Tickets from $60
This is the 60th anniversary year of CLOC Musical Theatre (formerly Cheltenham Light Opera Company) and president Ric Birkett is beaming proud of Billy Elliot The Musical.
I always thought this show was based on a true story, but to my surprise it is fictional. However there would be many boys in dance classes around and many successful male dancers worldwide that could totally relate to this script in more ways than one. Being accepted as a male dancer certainly has its challenges and though it has improved immensely in recent years in genres such as hip hop, tap, jazz and commercial, there are still not a lot of boys taking up ballet like the character of Billy.
There would only be a handful of boys who could even play this role in Melbourne and two of them are on stage here in their first show with the CLOC production team, being Lukas Elliott (his real last name) from Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and Sebastian Sero having trained with the The Australian Ballet School. I saw Lukas (and yes, he’s thrilled to be playing his namesake even though it is spelled differently) and he was a standout for his acting ability too. This show is all about Billy the whole way through, it’s demanding but a dream role for a young boy who loves to dance!
Set in the 1980s at the time when the closure of the North England coalmines saw the conservative government of Margaret Thatcher take a particularly vengeful and confrontational path, the language in the show takes “it’s OK to swear in art” to a whole new level! Being honest, it was a bit of ‘shock therapy’ as I settled into the atmosphere, but as the show goes on you realise the script writing does portray exactly how such a community would speak in this situation, so don’t worry, you get used to it and will likely laugh at a lot of quipped lines.
Billy’s father is played by returning loyal CLOC member, Chris Hughes. Seventeen years after his last show with CLOC, he’s a natural in acting the tough guy typical miner who does not want to see his son become a dancer, at least not at first. He does come around eventually after a dressing down from Billy’s secret ballet teacher played by well-known Melanie Ott in her 10th show with the company, but not before his other son, Billy’s older brother who is exceptionally characterized by Joshua Sumner, gives every reason under the sun not to allow Billy his chosen path.
This show introduces a ton of new talent in the ballet girls, all in their first show with CLOC and they are everything from funny to cute. The high pitched screaming as they run onto stage was probably not unlike what their parents heard at home when they got a spot on the cast. It’s a coveted place to get into one of CLOC’s shows and of course there are no other shows where this many young accomplished dancers get to twirl around, be silly and act like they’ve actually never danced a concert in their life, which in reality is far from truth. In particular, it was the chance of a lifetime for Emily Bon-Fuller and Isla Everett to play “Debbie”, the impertinent daughter of Billy’s dance teacher. I saw grade 6 student Emily who can definitely act with sass!
Billy’s close friend is played by youngsters Angus Hutchinson and Harrison Lloyd both also in their first CLOC show. I saw Angus and he was an absolute delight to watch, he must have had a lot of fun in this role and he surely has the most fun dance number with giant dresses and Billy by his side. Again, these boys can dance!
A shout out to “Grandma” played by Barbara Hughes, who has worked for almost 50 years in non-professional theatre but was cast in the ensemble as the Grandma cover in the last professional Australian touring production of Billy Elliot, cut short by COVID, so in this show she finally got her chance. Her character calls it like she sees it, something many a Nana can get away with. Age gives you that right.
Billy’s mother (deceased) makes appearances in his mind by Elise Stevens and you can’t help but envisage any child’s lost parent watching on from Heaven to see their child go for their dreams.
The amazing Ensemble truly makes the show. There is so much energy on stage. It is loud! It is mining! It is teamwork! In the audience you feel like you are part of the action, and heads up to the choreography skills that managed to have so many people on stage not bumping into each other (unless it was on purpose with fists ready).
Billy Elliot will appeal to anyone really. It’s got enough manly guts in it to take your hubby (even though he doesn’t like musicals) and enough softness to reflect upon standing up for your work colleagues, helping the cause about what you believe is right for your community and above all, supporting your children’s goals.
I wonder if there was a “real” Billy Elliot in that mining town, who perhaps just didn’t get the chance to shine like this show does. I hope it inspires other boys who like to dance to try ballet. I hope it is a reminder that boys dance too. The world needs more dancing.
Congratulations to the Direction trio of Lynette White, Chris White, David Clausen-Wisken, and the entire CLOC team, this show is superbly executed, so fight your way to a seat for one of the last shows coming up!
Every now and again a show comes along that is simply just good fun. Potted Potter is one of these shows. It is child-like (in the best possible way), hysterical and does not depend on a deep knowledge of the seven Harry Potter books.
The Playhouse, normally home to the State Theatre Company of SA, was packed with eager children of all ages, some dressed as their heroes, accompanied by apprehensive parents. The atmosphere was palpable.
The stage is shrouded with mysterious objects covered with sheets, a study corner with a desk standing on a pile of books, ominous shadows and eerie music. A perfect setting for horror story, but this production is everything but that!
Written by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, with direction by Richard Hurst, set by Simon Scullion, lighting by Tim Mascall, video by Tom Hillenbrand and music by Phil Innes, Potted Potter was ‘born’ in 2005 as a 5-minute street show, and has evolved since then, travelling around the world, into the current 70-minute spectacle.
Featuring the comedic talents of Scott Hoatson and Jacob Jackson, the production rockets along and includes, puppets, quidditch, fast costume changes, quidditch, audience participation, quidditch, topical references and yes, of course, quidditch!
At roughly 10 minutes per book, this is no mean feat for Scott and Jacob, however, they handle the task with ease and never allow the pace or the humour to drop, complete with numerous ad libs and in jokes.
Hoatson plays the wizard himself, complete with the trademark glasses and more than a passing resemblance. Jackson plays all the other characters (except the golden snitch). Individually and together, they are masters of their art with enough material to interest children and adults alike. The rapport between them is amazing, particularly when using physical humour.
If you are a Harry Potter purist, be prepared to suspend your devotion to perfection for 70 minutes and embrace your inner child. There are references to Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Australian political figures and more!
At times it is hard to determine where the script ends and the ad libs begin as the performers work at rocket pace daring us to keep up. The direction (Richard Hurst) is flawless and we could be forgiven for believing the boys are ‘making it up as they go along as the banter is completely natural.
Highlights for me include – Voldemort wearing bright red horns (a parody of Maleficent?), the final battle between Harry and the dark lord staged as a sing off to ‘I Will Survive’ and the terrifying (or is it?) Norwegian Ridgeback dragon battle with Harry.
As wonderful as these highlights are, the climax of the evening is the game of Quidditch with two lucky members of the audience as ‘keepers’. Blow up globes of the Earth bounce through the audience in search of the lifebuoy goals in the auditorium and the golden snitch is spotted and captured to win the game. Hoatson, as the snitch, in an amazing golden costume that defies my description, was lucky to survive the keepers in this performance.
Potted Potter – The unauthorised Harry experience – a Parody by Dan and Jeff is a joyous 70 minutes packed with hilarity, audience participation and downright good fun. It is sure to cast a spell on those who are young, and those us who wish we still were! A must see!
Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre. May 10-12
