Midnight – The Cinderella Musical

In the last 35 years writers of Australian musicals have had a great track record producing dozens of successful new works. The Boy from Oz, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Strictly Ballroom, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, The Sapphires, King Kong, Muriel’s Wedding, and Moulin Rouge! have all made it to Broadway, the West End or both. Other shows such as Bran Nue Dae, The Sunshine Club, Dusty - The Original Pop Diva, Prodigal, Ladies in Black, Dream Lover – The Bobby Darin Musical, Seven Little Australians, Georgy Girl, and more recently Fan Girl, and Driftwood have all been immensely successful in Australia and beyond. Whether Midnight (the uniquely made-in-Melbourne musical) joins this illustrious list time will tell.  However, given the audience reaction and well-deserved standing ovation at tonight’s opening performance this is highly probable!    

Ella is a feisty, funny, and independent young woman, who has little respect for the King or his son Prince Charming due to their seeming lack of care for the people of their kingdom.  She is always trying to find ways to ease the villagers’ burdens.  One night the prince and Ella cross paths not knowing each other’s identity and here begins a friendship that will undergo many twists and turns, testing loyalties along the way. Can Ella’s influence on the prince ignite change in the kingdom? Will the ball bring them together, or will external forces try to keep them apart. Will all be achieved before the stroke of Midnight?  

Direction and Book are in the capable hands of both Dean Murphy and Pip Mushin. Murphy has written, produced and/or directed over 30 feature film, television, and theatre productions.  Pip Mushin is well-known from a slew of local and international TV and movie roles including Wayne Burns in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom.  Mushin has been resident director for numerous Australian premieres including Opera Australia’s Evita and Fiddler on the Roof.  Murphy wanted to take the classic tale of Cinderella, and make it, to quote hi: ‘more inspiring, entertaining, and exciting for his 5-year-old daughter.  A story more suited to a child in today’s modern world.’  Murphy and Mushin’s vision for Midnight just might be the most captivating and heartfelt story of any Cinderella adaptation we’ve seen to date.  

The music and lyrics are by John Foreman (pianist, composer, compere, and the man behind some of Australia’s biggest musical spectacles) and by Award winning composer, Anthony Costanzo.  The music is modern and punchy (particularly in the dance routines and rousing chorus numbers) and at times deeply emotional. The lyrics are very witty, extremely clever and never sound old fashioned or clichéd.  A boon for the musical is the inclusion of the hauntingly beautiful ‘Without You’, especially written by pop, folk, musical theatre and opera chanteuse Kate Miller-Heidke.  This song, along with Ella’s emotionally charged powerhouse solo ‘Why Can’t I?’, are certain to become hits!

Anthony Barnhill (composer of Driftwood – The Musical, and MD of Opera Australia’s production of The Phantom of the Opera) has brought together a ‘jewel box’ of highly talented musicians that produce an incredible full sound of a much larger orchestra. Barnhill extracts a rich quality from the band with his sublime arrangements and skillful instrumentation. 

Choreographer Kelly Aykers brings her unique technical skills and innovative style to Midnight.  The dance numbers ‘Once Upon a Time’, ‘You Only Live Once’, and ‘You Are the One’ with their differing dance styles were each choreographed to a fault. ‘Stuffed!’, complete with its complex tap routine, brought the house down in Act two.  The cheering and applause were deafening!  The spectacular costume designs by Harriet Oxley have been well researched to reflect the time and setting.  The rich fabrics are full of vibrant colours and textures, hand tailored to suit each character’s personality, and reflecting the mood of each scene.

The effective set design by James Browne consisted of a backdrop of pointed triangles depicting mountain ranges, giant trees that moved giving the impression of the actor walking through a forest, stage set pieces including Ella’s house, a tavern, and a baker’s shop that are shaped out of proportion. There are red drapes, large windows and huge beaded curtains in the ballroom scene, and a teddy bear that steals the show in Act 2.  Lighting design by Trudy Dalgleish is stunning and adds to the action, drama, and enhances the visual impact of the show.  Silhouettes used in two scenes were great storytelling aids, and pyrotechnics used during Ella’s transformation added a nice flourish.  Dialogue, vocals, sound effects and the band were well balanced by sound designer Kelvin Gedye (for System Sound).  Every line and lyric were audible throughout the entire theatre and was never drowned out by the band or sound effects.

The twenty plus ensemble performed impeccably. The lush harmonies during the chorus numbers gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears on numerous occasions.  The dance numbers, although complex and physically demanding, were precise and well-coordinated.

The principal cast, all Aussies, is a dream team, with decades of experience between them.  Brianna Bishop - what a tour-de-force!  Her years of live performing (a grand finalist on Australia’s Got Talent at age 12, a national tour of Chess, and playing Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray), have paved the way for the role of her life, ‘Ella’.  Her solo ‘Why Can’t I?’ nearly lifted the ceiling off the Comedy Theatre and was received with rapturous applause and cheers. The moving ‘Without You’ highlighted Ella’s vulnerability and the subtle nuances in her voice were lovely. You could hear a pin drop and a few sniffles in the crowd!  In my opinion, Brianna stole the show!  Thomas McGuane (Hans, in the national tour of Frozen) plays the prince with charisma, smolder and a boyish innocence.  Thomas’ performances of ‘I Will Find You’ and duet with Ella, ‘Where We Began’, were flawless. The chemistry between Thomas and Brianna (including their tongue in cheek sarcasm) was believable and their magnetic stage presence endeared them to the audience right from the start.  

Shane Jacobson is a crowd favorite as the King.  His years of experience in both TV, film and theatre are obvious. His solo ‘Being the King’ had the audience in stitches and received one of the biggest applauses of the night.    

One of Australia’s most beloved leading ladies Lucy Durack (Wicked, Shrek) plays the dual role of Mrs. Lillicroft and Ms. Madrina.  Far from being a ‘stalker’ as Ella comically quips, Ms. Madrina has kept an eye on Ella since her mother passed away.  She makes it possible for Ella to go to the ball.  Lucy, with her kind smile, motherly nature and flair for comedy makes a wonderful, quirky godmother.  Her heartfelt, authentic performance of ‘You Are the One’ in Act Two, was incredibly moving, even nostalgic.

Helpmann Award winner Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins, Sweet Charity) plays the stepmother, Madame Bellington.  Her portrayal is very convincing.  Her body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice change from good to evil in the blink of an eye.  Verity’s performances of ‘My Time’ and ‘The World Ends at Midnight’ showed off her versatility as a veteran of the performing arts.

Matt Lee (Mary Poppins, Frozen), also a Helpmann Award winner, plays the dual role of Andre (the prince’s sidekick) and Mr. Abernathy (a talking, dancing teddy bear).  Matt oozes joy on the stage at every turn.  His comedic timing as Andre was spot on.  His singing and dancing never disappoint, particularly in the role of Mr. Abernathy the teddy bear.  I don’t want to give too much away, but all I can say is if you like tap dancing, then you’re in for a treat!  

Raphael Wong (Turandot, two-time Herald Sun Aria winner) plays Ella’s father, a small role but nonetheless important. Raphael’s delivery is sincere and natural.  His number ‘You Only Live Once’ was a rousing highlight of Act One. 

Kristie Nguy as Rosalie Bellington and Melanie Bird as Tiffany Bellington (Ella’s stepsisters) were very entertaining to watch, particularly during their duet ‘Quick On Your Feet’, where they delivered the comical punchlines clearly and with panache.  The lyrics to this song were very clever! I never realised there were so many words that rhyme with 'murder'.  

Isobel Lauber played the role of Stella, the narrator (the role is shared during the season with Alberta Brudan, Liv Jacobson and Elisha Villa). Isobel had the audience hanging off every word as she tells the ‘true’ and ‘just a little embellished’ story of Ella and Prince Charming.  Isobel’s diction was clear, she has a delightful smile and a commanding stage presence.  She has a long career ahead of her, I’m sure.

Midnight – The Cinderella Musical is a feast for the senses and a fun time out for all the family.  Even though it’s a brand-new show it already runs like a well-oiled machine, even on opening night. It can only improve with time and perhaps an adjustment here or there. 

Don’t miss this incredible new Australian musical, made right here in Melbourne. Get your tickets before the clock strikes midnight for the last time.

You’ll have a ball!

Jonathan Cox

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Photographer: Pia Johnson