The Karaoke Twist
Thu, 7 Dec 2006, 07:58 amGordon the Optom4 posts in thread
The Karaoke Twist
Thu, 7 Dec 2006, 07:58 am‘The Karaoke Twist’ is the ‘Lad in Sane’ production showing at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth each evening at 8 pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2 pm, until the 16th December. Tickets from BOCS or at the door.
This show is written, directed and produced by John Grimshaw. How often does one hear the author, director or actors say ‘a hilarious show’ and you get there to find it very average? Well this show had more laughs than I expected.
The story is of two boys, the first – Matt – (Daniel Kershaw) is a larrikin, been around and is Perth’s answer to Brad Pitt, well at least in his own mind. His best friend, Paul (Matthew McKenna) is a daggy loser, desperate for a girlfriend, his last being more than two years ago. Matt sets out to do a makeover on Paul. Meanwhile Sophie, a bimbo with all the ‘sophi’stication of Paris Hilton and with the morals and personality to match, sees a karaoke competition that she would like to enter and sets about manipulating her friend Janet (Claire Allanson) into coming too.
This show is written around teenagers so has fresh (but not obscene) language and plenty of laughs. Many congratulations to Daniel and Natalie for their excellent, vibrant and uninhibited performances. Everyone did well, even newcomer Jessica Shields as the waitress managed to stamp her mark on the part.
This is not all karaoke, nor is it mainly singing. I saw this on the review night and the delivery was a little slow. Use of lighting to change ‘venue’ rather than a blackout and prop change would help. However, the cast were enthusiastic and filled with energy, so I am sure that the pace will pick up rapidly. The whole audience had several belly laughs and I am still laughing.
This show is written, directed and produced by John Grimshaw. How often does one hear the author, director or actors say ‘a hilarious show’ and you get there to find it very average? Well this show had more laughs than I expected.
The story is of two boys, the first – Matt – (Daniel Kershaw) is a larrikin, been around and is Perth’s answer to Brad Pitt, well at least in his own mind. His best friend, Paul (Matthew McKenna) is a daggy loser, desperate for a girlfriend, his last being more than two years ago. Matt sets out to do a makeover on Paul. Meanwhile Sophie, a bimbo with all the ‘sophi’stication of Paris Hilton and with the morals and personality to match, sees a karaoke competition that she would like to enter and sets about manipulating her friend Janet (Claire Allanson) into coming too.
This show is written around teenagers so has fresh (but not obscene) language and plenty of laughs. Many congratulations to Daniel and Natalie for their excellent, vibrant and uninhibited performances. Everyone did well, even newcomer Jessica Shields as the waitress managed to stamp her mark on the part.
This is not all karaoke, nor is it mainly singing. I saw this on the review night and the delivery was a little slow. Use of lighting to change ‘venue’ rather than a blackout and prop change would help. However, the cast were enthusiastic and filled with energy, so I am sure that the pace will pick up rapidly. The whole audience had several belly laughs and I am still laughing.
Karaoke with a Twist
Mon, 18 Dec 2006, 01:22 pmI was invited along to see this show on its second to last night, so a bit late for any constructive criticism. The cast must have taken good heed of Gordon's though, because there was no lack of pace and at times the lines seemed to come even a little too fast.
Nevertheless, it was a creditworthy, unpretentious first effort by a writer-director who was prepared to put his own money and reputation on the line and who (for a balding middle-aged man) shows great insight into both the language and ethos of today's youth as well as a keen sense of humour. A touch of dramaturgy here and there would not have gone astray though.
I would also like to acknowledge the 'MC' - a quaint character who provided some almost shakespearean comic interludes during the long costume changes. Well done all!
Ssstinger>>>