All Shook Up
The characters and plot in this musical are inspired loosely by William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, whilst the music consists of 24 songs from the Elvis Presley catalogue. It seems like a strange combination, but it works surprisingly well!
The year is 1955. A square, little Midwest American town (where rock'n'roll music and dancing is banned) is visited by a mysterious leather-jacketed, guitar-playing, motorcycle-riding singer (not unlike The King himself, Elvis that is!) Via his love of rock ‘n’ roll and magical charm, Chad (the roustabout) changes people’s attitudes of themselves and the world at large, setting off a chain reaction that stirs up the emotions of both young and old alike. Within a short time, a plethora of romances alight. Due to the many plot twists and cases of mistaken identity, not all star-crossed lovers end up with their first person of choice. Even the audience is kept guessing right up until the finale ultimo. Although a jukebox musical the songs could have easily been written for the show as each Elvis classic weaves seamlessly into the story.
Babirra Music Theatre Inc. under director Alan Burrows (with over 200 directing credits to his name) assisted by Mark Cluning, have presented a show of the highest caliber. From the opening number 'Jailhouse Rock', the audience is thrust into scenes reminiscent of Elvis's twenty-nine, all-singing and dancing movies.
There is so much talent both on and off-stage to comment on here! Where to start? Firstly, the band! Congratulations all! What a sound! The show is twice as good with this incredible dozen of highly expert musicians under the accomplished baton of award winning musical director Vicki Quinn.
The ingenious sets and scenery created by Chris Anderson include Sylvia's Honky Tonk (aka Heartbreak Hotel), a gas station, museum, shoe shop, bus, abandoned fairground complete with a tunnel of love ride shaped like a giant swan. A digital backdrop plus six LED screens are used to project a fairground, lamp-posts, a moonlit sky and an occasional flurry of colours or shapes to add pizazz to the scene. Although the set is constantly moving and intricate the scene changes were smooth and kept the running time tight. There wasn’t a single moment where the production lulled.
Skilful lighting design by Deryk Hartwick helped to enhance the visual impact of the performance. Sound design by Ash Armitt ensured the audience could hear every word spoken or sung clearly. The clarity of sound coming from the band was one of the best mixes I've heard in a non-professional production.
All Shook Up has a huge amount of dancing in it. Particularly high octane numbers included 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Heartbreak Hotel', ‘C’mon Everybody’ and 'Devil in Disguise'. The ten principals plus the twenty-two strong ensemble (skillfully choreographed by Di Morgan) makes the physically demanding routines look easy. The swing and jive routines (assisted by Lachie Alexander) were tight and full of excitement. I didn't recall seeing anyone out of breath the entire show!
Costume designer Ely Tapp has presented a feast of colourful, authentic 50’s style costumes, including a plethora of blue suede shoes and bobby socks. Hair and make-up (by Maren Holm) has been well researched and is suitable to the time period and place.
The principal cast have been well placed, all with solid vocals suitable for the rockabilly, country, gospel, 50’s rock ‘n’ roll, R&B soul and 60’s funk genres featured. The chorus numbers were very polished. The harmonies on 'Heartbreak Hotel' almost deserved their own standing ovation.
Babirra first timer Lachlan Glennie as Chad (the somewhat vain & sexist roustabout), who makes his act one grand entrance riding a motorbike, is simply brilliant. His strong stage presence, comedic timing and unique vocal tone commanded every scene. I was glad that Lachlan was allowed to look and sound like himself and not an Elvis mimic. Grace Goodwin plays Natalie Haller, a mechanic who works for her father Jim, and is madly infatuated with Chad. After seeing Grace perform dramatic roles in The Scarlet Pimpernel and Les Misérables, I was excited to see what she would bring to this zany role. Grace is equally comfortable in musical comedy and is a formidable presence both as Natalie and her alias Ed. Her contrasting numbers 'A Little Less Conversation' and 'Fools Fall In Love' held the audience in awe of both her technically proficient and warm toned vocals.
Tim Murphy's portrayal of Jim Haller, the widowed father of Natalie is unaffected and never forced. Tim's transformation from a shy widower to a confident woman chaser is hilarious, but doesn't feel fake. You really want this man to find true love again!
Vikaye Sithole as Sylvia (the owner of Miss Sylvia’s Honky Tonk) is a compelling actress. Incredibly, this is Vikaye's first performance in a musical since high school. From her onstage confidence and professionalism I thought I was watching a seasoned performer of many years. Her silky and soulful vocals hit every note with precision and emotion during 'There's Always Me'. The audience were clapping and cheering before she even finished the song! What a moment I'll never forget in a hurry! I can't wait to see where Vikaye's musical career will go.
Cassie Pennicuik as Lorraine, Sylvia’s daughter, was cute, quirky and full of energy. Daniel Nieborski (as Dean Hyde, the mayor's son, wanting to run away with Lorraine) seemed very at home in his role. One of my favourite scenes is when Dean is on a bus leaving for military school and Lorraine is frantically trying to catch up with him on her bicycle. The staging was very clever! Daniel and Cassie's duets 'It's Now Or Never' and 'If I Can Dream' were captivating and emotionally charged moments in both acts.
Elliot Shute's comedic portrayal of Dennis (the high school freshman and aspiring dentist, in love with Natalie) is sheer genius! The audience immediately fell in love with Elliot's depiction of the dewy-eyed, love starved and often overlooked Dennis. His rendition of 'It Hurts Me' was both tender and confident and was well received by the audience.
Watching Emily McKenzie as Miss Sandra (the new caretaker of the town’s museum) was a riot. Miss Sandra's dual personality, both child-like and innocent and then a vampish Marilyn Monroe-like persona was well emulated. When Elliot and Emily shared the stage I couldn't help thinking that they'd make the perfect Seymour and Audrey in Little Shop Of Horrors. There's an idea Babirra!
As Mayor Matilda, Samantha Du Rennes’ 'unexpected' injection of humour during her Act Two dramatic scene resulted in the uproarious rendition of 'Devil in Disguise' bringing the house down. Although Brad Blair's character as Sheriff Earl (except for the final scene), is non-spoken, his body language and exaggerated facial expressions conveyed the desired comedic effect.
Featuring such classics as ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Love Me Tender’ and of course the title tune, All Shook Up is a great night out for lovers of all things Elvis, 50’s rock ‘n’ roll dancing and outfits, mixed with both the pathos and joy of some Shakespeare thrown in. This is a colourful, fun, fast-paced, toe tapping show of the highest degree if ever there was one! Audiences 'Can't Help Falling In Love' with All Shook Up. What's there not to love?
Jonathan Cox
Photos: Gavin D. Andrew
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