Last Wednesday the Seymour Centre was alight with the exciting reveal of Squabbalogic’s 4th Mystery Musical- “Kiss Me Kate”! The evening is a brilliant fundraising event that helps bring much needed funds to the company to help support its future and give us more of it’s spectacular productions. It’s a night that has fast become one of my favourites on the Sydney Arts scene calendar and I simply can’t wait for #5. So in the meantime while we wait, here’s an apropos 5 reasons why you should get yourself to that #5 as well!
5. TO BE IN ON THE MYSTERY
Honestly who doesn’t love being the first in the know? The secrets of this special one night only event, the sneaky Instagram hints in the lead up, the anticipation in the air in the foyer as people discuss their involved theories, and then of course the big reveal! Those starting notes when some kind of superhuman beings in the audience scream with happy recognition no less than 5 seconds in to the first song.
4. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO SEE A LESS-PERFORMED CLASSIC
I’ll admit it- I’d never even thought to listen to Kiss Me Kate before this night but now I can’t seem to stop listening to it and I can’t wait to see it again. The team have a great way with picking a classic crowd pleaser that may not have gotten as much stage time in recent years- so it’s a perfect opportunity to be able to see it performed live.
3. THE UNSCRIPTED STAGE ANTICS
Honestly the cast was splendid- nailed all the songs and you’d never know they’d had basically a day in rehearsals together. But as with all live performances there is always a little teeny hiccup or too. The wonderful thing about these hiccups in this setting is that they only serve to make the experience that much more fun. Lead Martin Crewes was particularly adept with the super fast adlibs- arising from his momentary struggles with the Shakespearan “thoust”, loud unexpected noises, and a particularly hilarious moment of his sidling ever so smoothly over to fellow lead Courtney Glass in order to lean slightly into her face and allow her to use his on-face mic whilst hers was momentarily lapsing. Bless.
2. SO MUCH FUN
Which leads me into my next all important point- the night is just SO MUCH FUN! Everyone is having fun- fun on stage, fun off stage. Fun fun fun. There’s no overwhelming pressures to nail everything exactly right and this really shows through with a more relaxed cast who purely look like they are having the time of their lives up there. These are people who have donated their time and energy because they love the theatre and nothing could be more obvious. This in turn hypes the audience and everyone is laughing and cheering and screaming and all round having the best time. It’s wonderful to be a part of.
1. IT’S IN SUPPORT OF A GOOD CAUSE
The night, when we get down to it, is of course a fundraiser- a much needed fundraiser for one of our most incredible local production companies- Squabbalogic. And seeing the house absolutely packed out in love and support is something magical. May Squabbalogic ever continue to make fantastic productions and may we continue to support the company by having fantastic nights at Mystery Musicals for many reveals to come!
Photo credit © Michael Francis, Francis Fotography
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