Camp Rock The Musical

Black Box Performing Arts is a new community theatre company, specialising in Youth Musicals. They have kicked off with a bang, in what will be one of the biggest community shows of the year.

Featuring 52 talented musical theatre performers under 18, a couple of capable grown-ups, a solid young six-piece band and the support of a huge team - this is a company with great potential.

With the core-cast completely double cast, (the alternate cast moving into the ensemble) my review refers to the Green Cast.

Central character Mitchie is a girl on a mission, as she strives to save her beloved Camp Rock from closing under the competition from flashier Camp Star across the lake, She is very capably played by Asha Vivian, who works very convincingly with Ashley Garner, working beautifully in his first stint as leading man. Blake Jenkins is gorgeously awkward as shy Nate, feeling his way in a romance with Camp Star rival Dana, (an excellent performance from Christie McGarrity).

Chloe Marlow and Sebastian Coe are outstanding scene stealers as superb star singers Tess and Luke, maintaining a very convincing bickering relationship. Chloe Marlow brings a lot of depth to Tess who is torn between the two camps.

Lovely teamwork and good performances from the Camp Rockers, the funny George O’Doherty as Jason, Erin Barrett as loyal Caitlyn, Clara Lee as new girl Rosie, Isabel Radici-Nicolls (Ella), Bianca Thomas (Peggy), Sebastian Vidot (Barron), Bella McSporran (Sander), Ebony Uetake (Rachel) and Jacob Clayton switching casts as Andy for a very ill Sienna Eddy. Camp Rock are backed by a supportive ensemble.

The super-confident Camp Star are gorgeously attired by Costumier Michaela Pavlov and are given more flamboyant dances by Choreographer Shanice-Kalina Thompson - although dancing is well planned and executed throughout. Well done to this team.

Special mention to Fay Groom, very mature as TV presenter Georgina and adult cast members Tim Campbell and Ben Kotovski-Steele - creating a believable animosity.

A multi-level single set by Gary Wetherilt is well constructed and used to great effect.

Alternate principals are Matilda Jenkins, Presley Massara, Cooper Jenkins, Charlie Martin, Stephanie Stockbauer, Mia Martin, Imogen Dearlove, Maddi Thomas, Mollie McGarrity, Natalija Separovich, and Aaliya Thompson - who bulked up an ensemble of 22.

Lots of our best known young Musical Thespians in this high energy production, with many up and coming performers in the ensemble. I highly recommend supporting this emerging company with a unique and important reason d’être.

Kimberley Shaw