A Night at the Movies – A Musical Cabaret

A Night at the Movies - a Musical Cabaret offers comfy seats, high quality entertainment AND popcorn.

This cabaret reprises 21 Chump Street, recently presented at the Hobart One Act Play festival, and augments the programme with two other brackets of musical theatre pieces all of which have a connection to the movies.

Lighting is used to the best advantage on a small, raked stage behind which is hung a curtain of multi-coloured reflective sequins. Nine performers are seated in a semi-circle of stools, each equipped with an oversized popcorn bucket of props. There is intimacy and collegiality in this arrangement; good friends are here to share the music they love.

Piano accompaniment is provided by Andrew Morrisby, himself something of a raconteur. Morrisby ably supports his colleagues and engages in the repartee. Multi-instrumentalist, Eric Amani, is essential to the collaboration, and augments the variety of material in style and timbre.

And there is much variety.

The music is well chosen and sequenced. The opening to Act 1 is “Kids” from Better Man in which the strength and quality of ensemble harmonies is immediately evident.  This is followed by a dynamic performance by Sam Dean of “Moving Too Fast” from The Last Five Years.

A change of pace is delivered by Ben Paine as Shrek in “Who I’d be”.  Paine is comfortably assured with an excellent voice. “Who I’d be” is musical theatre story telling at its best, delivered, movingly, by Paine. The same ease of manner and vocal competence is brought to the Act 1 finale, “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman. “From Now On” was well chosen as a rousing conclusion to the first section which includes tub thumping on upturned popcorn tubs.

Other highlights of the first section include Mel Ransley’s burlesque, “A man who takes his time”. Assisted by Amani on double bass, Ransley sings and moves with consummate skill.

Bianca Paine gives a poignant version of “She used to be mine” from Waitress. This “other” Paine also gives the audience the character and the story with vocal skill and stage presence.

“First date, Last Night” is intriguing and King Herod’s Song from JCSS round out a first act with much to enjoy.

The second bracket of solos and duets is equally pleasing and diverting. “Night will come” from Ground Hog Day is given with simple effectiveness by Gus Viney. Other favourites are “Suddenly Seymour” and “Shallow”. Occasional vocal inadequacies are compensated for with integrity of delivery – and vice versa. All is forgiven when joy, goodwill and camaraderie predominate.

The highlight of the second bracket is the Elephant Love Duet from Moulin Rouge, given tongue-in-cheek, by long term partners Bianca and Ben Paine. The skill and playfulness of this number is charming.

Ben Paine also directed 21 Chump Street in which he takes the role of Narrator. Sam Dean is the right casting for the rapid-fire delivery, character and energy required as Justin – the honour student seduced into buying drugs for undercover cop, Naomi. Mel Ransley embodies Naomi, conflicted but driven, mature but younger looking. Dean and Ransley are both vocally strong. The small ensemble is choreographed to best effect by Kristy Baker. It is not often this 14-minute musical is presented. Programming this alongside other musical theatre works was an inspired idea.

A Night at the Movies has a very short season but provides an excellent night of entertainment.  The enthusiasm of the ensemble, their skill, friendship, and ability to tell a story has universal appeal.

Anne Blythe-Cooper

Photo Credit: Izzy Brockman