Funny Business: Australian premiere of “The Office with music”

Dubbed “The Office with music”, Blak Yak Theatre is staging the Australian premiere of Funny Business this July. Directed by Lorna Mackie at the Subiaco Arts Centre’s Studio, it’s an original musical with a pop-Broadway score developed on Canada’s improvisational comedy circuit. Five ordinary office workers have to mount a team-building talent show to save their jobs – and it rapidly degenerates into an every-man-for-himself battle of office skills, featuring more backstabbing than the HR department can handle. “This is the first international performance outside of Canada; they haven’t granted the rights before,” Mackie said. “I love the thought of doing something new and different rather than recycling the same musicals. “Funny Business is part improv and part musical theatre and takes characters you recognise from around the water cooler, exploring their relationships with hilarious results.” Mackie said she was also looking for a show that was “wickedly funny”. “Large sections of the script are open for improv and I have a lovely letter from the author, Daniel Abrahamson, telling us to have fun and play with the score and script,” she said. “The score is brilliant but challenging – it’s performed in an intimate setting with just five performers and a pianist with a minimalist set. “That means there is nothing between the audience and the singers, so it’s all about the singers, the music and the comedy… and the puppets in the show.” Funny Business plays at the Subiaco Arts Centre’s studio at 8pm, July 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Tickets are $26, $18.50 concession – book through BOCS on 9484 1133 or at http://www.bocsticketing.com.au/whats-on/480/funny-business-the-musical/. The Subiaco Arts Centre is at 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco.