Reefer Madness

‘Reefer Madness the Musical’ is presented by Blak Yak Theatre. This satirical show was written in 1998 by American university friends, Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney. This production is showing at the Midland Junction Arts Centre at the corner of 276, Great Eastern Highway and Cale Street. It is presented in conjunction with the City of Swan. The performances run nightly at 8.00 pm until 16^th October with a 2.00 pm matinee on the 10^th October.

The musical will continue, in conjunction with the Phoenix Theatre, from the 21^st until the 30^th October at the Phoenix Memorial Hall, corner of Carrington Street and Rockingham Road in Hamilton Hill. Performances again at 8.00 pm, except for the 2.00 pm Sunday matinee on the 24^th October.

Although this 1938 based cult classic is miles from the placidity of ‘The Sound Of Music’ or ‘South Pacific’, its amateur rights are amazingly administered by Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals. 

 

        We are in the school hall and an angry Principal, Mr Poppy (Martin Lindsay) is warning the students of a disease, a plague a terrible threat to world peace that is starting to eat its way into society - marijuana! He introduces to the class his ideal students, the squeaky clean, ever smiling Jimmy (Morgan Phillips) and prissy, ‘never been kissed’ Mary Lane (Louisa Fitzhardinge) who whilst drinking their cocoa together, are reading ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for fun.

        In walks a lady carrying the first of a large number of large placards (Angela Sullen) that warn of the effects that marijuana can have on society.

         Jimmy, who is a keen dancer, in all innocence thinks he will go down to the Reefer Den for dance lessons. Unknown to Jimmy it is colonised by drugged and befuddled youngsters, sinfully partaking of debauching swing and jazz. No sooner has he arrived than the drug-pushing owner, Jack (Matthew Lister) starts tempting him with the weed. Physically abused Reefer Den hostess, Mae (Phoebe Jackson) is desperate to leave boyfriend Jack, but he keeps her supplied with marijuana.

         Mae wants to warn Jimmy but her habit stops her. Mr. Poppy appears, in the first of many guises, as the crooning and dancing proprietor. He watches helplessly as Jimmy is seduced by a voluptuous, Mae West looking, Sally (Kirilee Lennerts), being dragged down by the Den’s number one snorting junky Ralph (Daniel Kershaw). Sally is a prisoner of the weed, ignoring her baby (Chris Southall) - who sings castrato in perfect pitch!

         Jimmy is pressured into taking his first hit of marihuana and experiences a new bodily freedom. He swaps loving Mary Jane for a puff of Mary Lane. In a series of wild hallucinatory dance sequence he sees Uncle Sam (Andrew Gould), Liberty (Natalya Moosa), Joan of Arc (Charlotte Kenyon) and Jesus (Michael Keith).

         When Jimmy gives Mary a tonguey, she knows that he is in deep trouble. Is it too late for her to save an off-the-planet Jimmy?

 

The writing of the show was financed by a small, well-meaning church group trying, like Mr Poppy, to save their children, but became horrified by the final risqué nature of the whole show.

Twenty of the original twenty-five songs are featured in this dynamic, energy filled show. Kevin Murphy’s (who was head writer on the series ‘Desperate Housewives’) songs are brief but with fun lyrics, and Studney’s tunes very catchy. The cast start the show with a great belting number, backed by the six-piece band. The band, led by musical arranger Matt Austin, consisted of drums (Leo Downsborough), guitar (Lewis Karpinski-Bell), bass (Suresh Manievannan and Tim How) and the various woodwind instruments including sax and clarinet along with brass (flute) supplied by Kyarra Swetman. The overall effect was well balanced, with plenty of drive. The band carried off the many genres of music from quiet solos, to jazz, swing and wonderful mood music. With such brilliant musicians I don’t want to be too picky but, in the hard walled hall, at times the odd soloist got slightly overwhelmed by the volume of the musical backing, a notch or two quieter may help. 

The actors were obviously very happy with the excellent direction of Lorna Mackie who had to guide them well out of their safety zones. Many had never sung before, most were not trained dancers and the sexy costumes possibly a worry for some actors, but every single one just went for it! The show rocked as the beat pounded, every single performer is to be congratulated. 

The chorus which included Lexi Rollins, Róisín Bevan and the show’s choreographer Joanne Neesham never lost its drive and vivacity. The choreography was complicated and demanding on the performers of various stature, but the timing was excellent, the rhythm pounding and the synchronisation perfect. After a couple of songs one often sees the eyes of the chorus glazing over, the enthusiasm drops and the songs performed as an almost tiresome routine, but here, in one of the best musicals that I have seen in years from amateur or professional, right up to the last belting number the energy was unflagging.

The costumes by Lorna Mackie and Kirilee Lennerts were beautifully designed and made. No effort had been spared in creating a visual feast. Nick Donald had the unenviable job of lighting the show as the hall is renowned for being difficult, but the rig was large and the overall effect worthwhile. At one point the Den was filled with hellish beings, beautifully stylised by Lynda Stubbs (hair) and Cerise Tana (makeup). Fast and efficient stage management from Adam Shuttleworth’s team of Bec Alosi and Emma Coyne. 

Reefer Madness has always been thought of as The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s poor brother, but I still enjoyed this tremendously. The quality was of professional commercial standard. If you are a music or movement student, enjoy musicals with lots of laughs, this is a must see. It has proved itself a huge draw over the years and this team are dedicated and are doing a wonderful job. The exuberance flows.

Gordon the Optom