Teenager Takes on Keating the Musical.

Young Sydney theatre company Kore Productions are staging a short season of Casey Bennetto’s Keating the Musical at Sidetrack Theatre in Sydney’s inner west.

David Spicer gives his impressions from opening night.

I turned up not knowing what to expect. The Producer Kyle Stephens was just 18 and barely had enough money to rent a Zegna suit.

Being not flush with cash can be a big help. Kyle told me how everyone chipped in to help him produce the show. By opening night he was already in the black!  Hey Broadway here he comes.

As the agent for the musical I was keen to see how a young cast and audience takes to this musical.

Most of the cast were in nappies when Paul Keating was Prime Minister, and one was not even born. Being on budget meant there was no money for a set with the whole word K e a t i n g spelt out…so the letter K and an exclamation mark did the trick!

Right from the opening this cast took the show by the scruff of the neck. The band, under the baton of Alvin Mak, was top notch.  Jordan Shea set the tone as Bob Hawke – mixing it with the audience – ensuring they got into the spirit…or should I say beer … of the occasion.

Andrew Jackson was pretty cool as Mr K himself. He sauntered around the stage in style.

Toby Rosengarten was a hoot as the cross dressing Alexander D, although I thought his display of nipples was a little too much information for my liking.

I was pleased that the cast had fun. The audience got almost all of the jokes in what was a well-directed production by Amy Lester.

Keating the Musical opened on July 3, 2012 at Sidetrack Theatre, Marricville, and plays until Friday the 7^thof July.

Images: Andrew Jackson as Keating, with David Spicer. agent for musical and Producer Kyle Stephens.