Same Time Next Week

This World Premiere puppet musical, produced by Scott McArdle and Nick Pages-Oliver, is a full-length bittersweet production featuring a talented five-member cast and a three-piece live band. Clever and thoroughly entertaining, it had its audience entranced throughout.

When Mark is diagnosed with leukaemia, his one wish is to play Dungeons and Dragons. Recruiting his friends Drew, Digby and Liz, who initially have no idea what they are doing, the audience watches their progress over a year, as their D&D adventures come to life through puppet magic (and puppetry directors Amberly Cull and Nick Pages-Oliver) in a wildly imaginative journey, sitting beside their real-life challenges.

A clean-shaven Nick Pages-Oliver plays catalyst character Alex, sensitively playing his cancer journey while bringing his confident D&D character Vincenzo the Magnificent to life. Best friend and Game Master Drew is played with depth by Amberly Cull, who also plays some important puppet characters including the delightful Freya, and the villainous and powerful Lady Morinth. Tristan McJames adds some levity as Digby and is good fun as Smoked Meats, while Courtney Henry’s Liz and her character Ophelia Backbrace have beautifully woven interacting stories. Daniel Buckle completes the cast as an eccentric shop owner and a plethora of fantastic characters.

Visually spectacular, with gorgeous and loveable puppets in a variety of styles, manipulated with great skill. designed by Jesse Michael Wood and Bryan Woltjen, who also designed the clever set. Kristie Smith’s lighting design adds emotion and atmosphere, while Rosalie Schneider designed character appropriate costumes, props and scenery.

The songs, with clever lyrics by Scott McArdle and hummable tunes from Jackson Griggs, are sung well by the cast under the tutelage of Grace Johnston, beautifully backed by Jackson Griggs, Luke Leong-Tay, Pippa Lester and Emily Gelineau.

A touching yet exciting show that works beautifully in this intimate space. A must see for lovers of role-playing games, puppets or musicals - and those who love great new work.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Edwin Sitt