WA Theatre Takes High Fidelity Musical for a Spin
A JOURNEY through the world of break-ups, make-ups and music obsession provide insights into the world of relationships at Roleystone Theatre during March 2016.
Based on the Nick Hornby book, High Fidelity has been adapted into a musical and explores love, life and the importance music plays as the soundtrack to both.
The story follows Rob Gordon, a Brooklyn record shop owner in his 30s who is obsessed with making top five lists for everything and always observing, rather than participating, in life.
When his girlfriend Laura leaves him, he goes through a painful re-evaluation of his life and lost loves – with some help from his music – and slowly learns he has to let go of his self-centred world view before he can find real happiness.
High Fidelity was also adapted into a 2000 film featuring John Cusack and Jack Black. The musical features music written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt, responsible for Next to Normal.
Director Kristen Twynam-Perkins said there were no real differences between the book, film and musical versions of High Fidelity.
“They are all the same story and characters,” she said. “Rob owns the old-school record store Championship Vinyl and, after his girlfriend leaves him, he re-visits his top five breakups to work out what went wrong.
“The musical is just a different medium used to introduce the audience to the characters – the only difference is they sing and it’s set in Brooklyn.”
With more than 20 years’ experience as a performer, director and choreographer, Twynam-Perkins has worked with Playlovers, Roleystone, Stirling, Garrick, Marloo, Limelight, Old Mill and KADS Theatres with more than 70 productions to her credit.
In 2008, her production of Bare was named best musical at the annual Finley Awards with Twynam-Perkins also nominated for best choreographer and best director while, most recently, she appeared in Graceland, winner of the Jenny McNae Adjudicator’s Award at the 2015 Dramafest.
Her work as a drama teacher at Helena College has also kept her busy, directing a plethora of shows, and in August she will be heading to Hanoi to teach drama at an international school.
“High Fidelity appealed because I have always loved the movie, being a huge John Cusack fan,” Twynam-Perkins said. “When I first heard the musical version eight years ago, I loved it instantly.
“I feel the characters and music are so intertwined that they have given the book and movie a new lease on life.”
High Fidelity plays at 8pm March 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19 with a 4pm matinee March 13. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book on 9397 5730 or at www.roleystonetheatre.com.au.
Please note: the show features coarse language and adult themes.
Roleystone Theatre is located at 587 Brookton Highway, Roleystone, opposite the Croyden Road junction
Images: (top) Dick (Kyle Kash, left), Rob (David Wallace) and Barry (Richard Maganga) get into the groove with High Fidelity, Picture: Kristen Twynam-Perkins, and (lower) Alyssa Burton, left Natalie Cox and Emily Botje play the ex-girlfriends Rob gets back in touch with in High Fidelity. Picture: Luke Daly/Molly Earnshaw
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