WA Debut for Freaky Friday Musical

Image: llie (Gemma Hanh, left) faces off against mean girls Laurel (Anneke McLennan), Savannah (Paris Ceglinski) and Alexandra (Bronte McLennan) in Freaky Friday.  

GET ready for a freaky West Australian premiere – the musical Freaky Friday is coming to Stirling Theatre from April 22.

Based on the Mary Rodgers novel, Freaky Friday, and directed by Stage Whispers’ WA correspondent Kimberley Shaw, the stage show tells a similar story to the four Disney movies of the same name.  

Image: Ellie (Gemma Hanh, centre) on a scavenger hunt with friends Gretchen (Ffion Bishop, left) and Hannah (Ciara Malone).  

Mum Katherine and her teenage daughter Ellie magically find they have swapped bodies but the timing couldn’t be worse, given Katherine’s wedding is the next day and Ellie is in deep trouble at school. 

Both are forced to live each other’s lives until they can find a way to swap back again. 

“It’s very similar to the most recent Disney film, which was directly based on this musical,” Kimberley said. 

“The songs help us get a clearer view of Ellie and Katherine’s thoughts and we also see more of Ellie’s little brother Fletcher and Katherine’s fiancé Mike. 

“The main challenge, of course, is directing a teenager playing someone middle-aged and an adult playing a teen.” 

Image: Officer Kowalski (Guy Jackson, centre) struggles to get any sense out of Katherine (Eilise Phan, left) after she body-swaps with her daughter Ellie (Gemma Hanh). 

Involved in theatre for more than 30 years, Kimberley has worked with Blak Yak, KADS, Playlovers, Roleystone, Stirling and Kwinana Theatres, has been Stage Whispers’ WA correspondent for many years, and is currently president of the Independent Theatre Association. 

She has several awards to her credit, twice-winning best production and best youth production at Dramafest, the annual state drama festival, and also scoring the best musical gong at the Finley Awards three times. 

“I felt I wanted to do something that was light-hearted and fun and, as the mum of three daughters, I found the storyline of Freaky Friday really appealed,” Kimberley said.  

“I am also enjoying the opportunity to do a WA premiere.” 

Freaky Friday plays at 7.30pm April 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, May 5, 6 and 7 with 2pm matinees April 24 and May 1. Tickets are $25, $22 concession – book at www.trybooking.com/BUQHN.  

Stirling Theatre is on Morris Place, Innaloo.