Reviews

Perth and Peel are having somewhat of a theme in musicals at the moment, with four shows opening in November that are “musicals about musicals”. Following on the heels of The Drowsy Chaperone, Curtains and [title of show], comes the ultimate backstage musical, 42nd Street, currently enjoying a fully sold-out season at Wanneroo Repertory Club’s Limelight Theatre.

This is a play with incredible mood and atmosphere. Writer Emme Hoy suggests that the pandemic has inspired a great deal of escapist entertainment material to help society work its way through what has become known as “permacrisis” (permanent crisis). This play does quite the opposite and seeks to confront the demons that have generated the variety of social and political ills which have plagued recent times. This is addressed via a story around the rescue of a woman, Claire, who has fallen through a sink hole and is trapped in a terrifying labyrinth-like underworld. 

An afternoon conversation between two sets of parents whose sons have had an altercation at school sets out at the height of civility.  Veronica and Michael Vallon (caroly Eccles and Josh Wiseman) are of course concerned that their boy will require dental surgery and a permanent tooth replacement, and Annette and Alan Reille (Lainie Hart and Jim Adamik), whose son is responsible for the dental damage, completely understand their concern.

This Showcase brings together a disparate group of performances to create an entertaining whole by introducing a fashion theme and having Valerie Hex (YUMMY), a well-known and glamorously clad drag artist, be Master of Ceremonies. Valerie introduced the show and provided snippets of engagement and fashion advice to cover equipment changes.