Cheers meets Red Dwarf meets Rocky Horror in Cult UK Musical
POLISH your disco balls and set your glitter beams to fabulous – the cosmic cabaret Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens blasts off in November and December 2015.
Produced by Blak Yak Theatre in collaboration with Phoenix Theatre, the UK cult musical has been described as Cheers meets Red Dwarf meets Rocky Horror in a galaxy far, far away.
All is not well at Saucy Jack’s space bar, as the evil shadow of a serial killer looms with cabaret acts killed off one by one, stabbed by the heel of a sequinned slingback shoe.
Saucy Jack himself doesn’t seem bothered by the threat of murder or tragic loss of his cabaret acts – he’s more concerned it will be bad for business – so it’s up to the interstellar space cops, the Space Vixens, to find the killer.
“Saucy Jack is a show the likes of which Perth has never seen,” director Lorna Mackie said. “It’s set in a dingy cabaret bar in space where the audience are patrons.
“The action happens in and around the audience, at the bar, on the stage and on the floor – it’s a truly interactive theatre experience, set to rocking disco and pop tunes.”
Mackie said there were several challenges in staging Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens but that’s what made it fun.
“Much of the show happens around the audience so constructing choreography and blocking that can vary to accommodate a pushed-out chair or big handbag in the aisles has been challenging,” she said.
“With the actors performing as bar staff, much of the interaction with the cast will be unscripted while they move around, which means there is significant improvisational and character development.
“But the biggest challenge is making it absolutely believable that the audience is sitting in a dingy space bar.
“It has to have a certain earthiness to it with lots of little sci-fi touches that make the audience accept they are in the future.”
Acting since her teens in the UK, Mackie originally started as a soloist in a ladies’ jazz group before performing in Calamity Jane, The Little Mermaid and Africa.
After emigrating to Australia, she worked with Marloo, Garrick, Roleystone and Blak Yak Theatres, performing in The Geometry of Love, Meals Warmed Up and Intermission Theatre, designing costumes for Some Enchanted Evening, Get Smart and The Admirable Crichton and stage managing Trainspotting.
In 2010, Mackie made her directorial debut with the musical Reefer Madness, scoring several Finley Award nominations, following it up with the best musical production award for Funny Business in 2011 and more nominations for Avenue Q in 2012 and The Great American Trailer Park Musical in 2014 (also a best costume winner).
Her desire to direct Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens came via the show’s production manager Michael McAllan.
“He had seen it performed years ago in the UK and sent it to me, knowing my love for all things bizarre and a little bit naughty,” Mackie said.
“From the first song I was hooked – it’s a really addictive mix of fun, naughtiness and glitter.
“I love bringing new things to theatre to push the envelope and that’s one thing this show sure does!”
Saucy Jack and the Space Vixensplays at 8pm November 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, December 3, 4 and 5 and 7pm November 28 with a special midnight show also on November 28. Doors open at 7.30pm with a performance cabaret leading up to the main show.
Tickets are $25, $20 concession, plus transaction fees – book at www.trybooking.com/IIEM. Cabaret-style seating available with tables of four, six and eight.
Please note: the show is for mature audiences only and haze and flashing light effects are used.
Phoenix Theatre is located at 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, within the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall.
Images (from top) Space Vixens Nicquelle Rhodes, left, Joanna Tyler and Therese Cruise are on the hunt for a killer in Saucy Jack’s space bar; Cassee Lazic (cabaret performer Omega Savage); Christie Strauss & Joanna Tyler (Jubilee Climax, an insane cross between a fierce sci-fi crime fighter and Barbarella). Photographer: Michael McAllan.
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