In the Spotlight

I love stageshows, big, small, Lloyd Webberesque, or amateur. I found this out when I was about fifteen and my sister took me to see Evita at the Adelaide Festival Theatre.

Jennifer Murphy and John O'May lit up the stage as Eva and Che. Andrew Lloyd Webber described this coup for the AFT as the best Evita he'd seen. I can neither deny or confirm this, however I was definately transported to a Rice / Lloyd Webber Argentinian parallel universe for two hours. The vibrancy, colour and movement mesmerised me, while the emotive lyrics and evocative music stirred something basal within me. I once knew all the lyrics by heart and would secretly play the soundtrack when my mates weren't around (It was a staple diet of Acca-Dacca and Cold Chisel in those days). My girls and I joke about this having something to do with my 'gay genes' that come out in the presence of New Romantic music and Hollywood musicals.

Since then I have seen many productions, both big-ticket and small-time. I have loved them all: oohed at the heroines, ahhed at the heroes and booed at the baddies. I have whistled, clapped, woo-hooed at each and every one. If I knew the words, and as quietly as possible, I would sing at least the chorus (and sometimes not quietly, but always off-key). Actually there was one exception and that was Mamma Mia. I think it had something to do with the ABBA overload in the seventies (here I must apologise profusely to my friend Flash, who was kind enough to buy us the tickets).

In April I shouted the girls to see Billy Elliot. I would have gone myself, but for three reaons: 1) I could see the $109 being put towards a new camera bag; 2) I liked the movie soundtrack for music of The Clash, The Style Council and other great British bands of the time, all of which would not be present in the stageshow; 3) I'm not a big Elton John fan (my 'gay genes' don't extend that far). Instead I gave the ticket to our house guest at the time; although I'm not too sure it was money well spent as when I asked her if she enjoyed the show, the reply was: "I liked Wicked better". Anyway, my three girls loved it and I got a great new backpack for my camera gear.

The latest foray into the theatrical universe was to see Annemarie's school's production of The Wiz. As much as I cringe at the thought of school Christmas concerts, I've always looked forward to school productions. I think it is because they weed out people such as myself, that is: those totally bereft of any musical or dramatic talent. Unfortunately the audiences of Christmas concerts are not given the same courtesy. Fortunately both girls have taken after their mum and have been involved in theatrical productions. Annemarie prefers crew, but Kirsten will get up on the stage and is quite happy to be the 'third stormtrooper from the left' or a hapless plumber in the midst of a murder mystery.

The entire cast and crew of The Wiz put on such a grand performance that Kirsten went back for an encore at the Saturday matinee. We were very proud of Annemarie's efforts in keeping the backstage running to the exacting timing demanded by the troupe. I hope other parents were as proud of their offspring, as the kids deserved them to be. The girl that played Aunt Em punched out a tune with a voice far beyond her years and Dorothy bravely sung an entire song alone on the stage without musical accompanyment. Sharnika, aka The Cowardly Lion, who I was fortunate enough to meet on the Saturday, had a comedic talent akin to Amanda Bynes; not bad for a girl who has been nowhere near a Broadway coach. The Tinman had the coolest attitude and the scarecrow had us in fits. The Wiz himself delivered a monologue that I would have been lucky to have remembered the first paragraph of, before searching for the prompt cards. Of course, the supporting cast played their parts beautifully and the whole show was a complete success.

So whether you've splashed out on an $850,000 budget (Evita 1980) or run on a shoestring, the heart and soul of a production lies in the talents of those who put so much into it. As an appreciative audience member I thank you all (and will continue to sing your songs off-key).