Reefer Madness

Oh look! According to the always-infallible newspaper television guides, TV station GEM is screening "Oliver!" on Saturday night! Or, you could go see a musical that's both entertaining and hasn't been wheeled out umpty-thousand times.... I can't much improve on Julia's review, and yes, I am biased, but DAMN, this was the most fun I've had at a show in ages! Where else can you see zombies, angels, swingdancing, orgies, longships, gunplay, hit 'n' runs, yummy brownies, George Washington, decapitations, camp police, really hot redheads in lingerie, Jesus in a loincloth, and Martin Lindsay in drag? (Well, okay, we've all seen the last two....) The script is extraordinarily clever and the musical numbers are astounding. The cast, obviously relishing every moment, perform with aplomb. They're all great but I have to mention Louisa Fitzhardinge and Morgan Phillips - both of whom would mesh perfectly into Happy Days or an Archie comic, until their downfall by that damnable weed! Phoebe Jackson reminded me of Patricia Quinn's Magenta, and Angie Sullen put the icing on every scene every time she walked across the stage. In fairness, I have to admit that the live band sometimes drowned out the performers which was a little disappointing considering how intelligent the lyrics are. (Yes! Intelligent lyrics in a musical! Who would've thunk?) However, I understand that the production is moving to Phoenix Theatre for its final two weeks - a venue whose acoustics may be much better suited to the show. This is a great production. I overheard one lady remark to her partner, whilst exiting at interval, "It's not West Side Story, is it?" Damn right it isn't - it's a Blak Yak show. She came back for Act 2 and, like everyone else in the auditorium, seemed to enjoy every minute. Blak Yak won Finley Awards a couple of years ago for Best Actress AND Best Actor for a show that very few people saw. Don't miss this one. Director Lorna Mackie and her team have put together an outstanding production. If you've ever complained about the same old shows in Perth, you need to get off your bum and support this one. JB