Left - Kate Maree Hoolihan as Miss Cat. Cover - The cast of Showtime!The Ensemble Theatre continues it's longstanding, consistent record of setting a very high standard in children's theatre, this time in collaboration with Off The Cuff Productions.
Homegrown (a graduate of Ensemble Studios) Rebecca Kypri-Inacio has written, composed & musically directed a fun, contemporary show, lightly sprinkled with humanist philosophy. While the odd song doesn't quite make the grade, most, I'm sure, have the rugrats enraptured and fossils, such as yours truly, smiling broadly, or laughing out loud.
Ably directed by Jo-Anne Cahill & choreographed by Shondelle Pratt, lighting designed & stage-managed by Jocelyn Speight, orchestrated by Rick Carlino, lit and sound-'teched' by Alex Drummond, with sound effects recorded by Ron Barlow, it's Pietra Williams costume designs that largely steal the show and give impetus to, for instance, all the centipedal shoe jokes. And Kelvin Kangaroo's Eltonesque shades only but add to his supercool character.
Noone could fail to feel for the versatile Shondelle Pratt's tubby, stuttering Wilma Wombat, abused and put upon by Director Dingo (Trent Gardiner, in his first outing for Ensemble Theatre, as opposed to Studios, where he's a veteran). Nicola Cammell engenders a similar level of empathy, as she invokes an innocence and never cloying sweetness, as Elly Emu. While Joel Nicholas Curtis singing timbre and pitch leaves a little to be desired, his well-meaning, tap-dancing centipede is just as convincing and likable.
Andrew Cutliffe, also in his first proddy for ET, clearly & rightly relishes his ballsy, lady-killing role as Kelvin Kangaroo; the marsupial embodiment of one of the key theses of this munchkins' musical, 'confidence is cool!'
Similarly, Kate Maree Hoolihan really milked her role, lapping up every opportunity to lend the sassy Miss Cat (shouldn't it be Ms?) Mae Western proportions.
Evil Echidna redeemed her chronic flatulence ('though I'm not sure the kids even bought the lollies and chips as the cause argument), as a spiny rapper, who finally found the courage to be herself and stand up to the pushy feral Cheryl, the sourpuss. P'r'aps the menu at the Bilby Cafe is the antidote for Evil's odour: Croc Pot; Rack of Yam; Marsoupial.
Carlino's arrangements, even by kiddie standards, were, for mine a little uninspired and sound production could've been better, especially the mix, which meant a lot of lines were lost.
This aside, again, across the board, characterisations couldn't be faulted and were of a calibre such that it was almost impossible to pick a winner: all distinguished themselves and utterly delighted. But, if pressed, i might have to opt for Francesco Torrelli's Priscilla-like Pepito Peacock, dance diva. His slightly tubby torso, skimpy- topped Brazilian showgirl look and thick Spanish accent were comically pitch-perfect.
With just the right measure of audience participation, a judicious dose of moral medicine, dispensed with ample sugar, high technical standards, a good score, resplendent costumery and darling, delicious performances, it's Showtime! What's not to like?
Off The Cuff Productions in association with Ensemble Theatre presents
SHOWTIME! A Musical
Book, Music & Lyrics by Rebecca Kypri-Inacio
Venue: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli
Performances: 9 January – 24 January 2009
Times: 10am Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sat
Tickets: Full Price $35.00 / Concession $28.00 / Child under 12 $15.00 / Family $80.00 (2 adults & 2 children)
Bookings: 9929 0644 or www.ensemble.com.au
