By Peter Kemp
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre
Little Women The Broadway Musical
Louisa May Alcott’s beloved story of the adventures of the four March sisters is brought to vivid musical life in Little Women.
The Civil War is in full swing and the March sisters – Meg, the oldest, a romantic, the spirited and boyish Jo, sweet and loving Beth, and playful Amy – live in Concord Massachusetts with their Mamee while their father is on the battlefield.
Filled with (both lived and Imagined), heartbreak and a deep sense of hope, their struggle to find their own voicers mirrors the growing signs if a young America.
Season: 14 – 30 November.
The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe
Set in the 1940s during World War II, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are evacuated from their home in London during the Blitz to a professor’s home in the countryside.
Stumbling across a wardrobe in a spare room, the four siblings find their way through the wardrobe to the land of Narnia.
They encounter many talking animals and mythical creatures, including Mr Tumnus, beaver and the great lion Aslan.
The white witch currently rules the land of Narnia; however, news has come that Aslan is on the move and returns to fulfill a prophecy that sees the four children becoming the kings and queens of Narnia. Culminating in a great battle between the Witch and Aslan.
Adapted for the stage by Glyn Robbins, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from the children’s classic of the same name by C. S. Lewis explores the themes of family, temptation, betrayal and forgiveness, courage and good versus evil.
This is ELT’s dinner table seating event, BYO Food and Beverages.
The Round Theatre
Gypsy
Babirra Musical Theatre for its final season of 2024 chose Gypsy the story of gypsy Rose Lee.
Based on the real- life fame of American burlesque super star Gypsy Rose Lee, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Jule Styne and book by Arther Laurents, Gypsy changed theatre music theatre forever with its daring story, genre-breaking style, innovative structure, and complex compelling characters.
Gypsy is the ultimate story of the stage mother fighting for her two daughters’ success.
It is set in the 1920s and 30s when vaudeville was in its decline and burlesque was in the way in.
Babirra presented a wonderful evening of theatre with its production of Gypsy.
The set opened with signs on a scaffold repeating the word gypsy.
There were basic sets to suit the era of the show, skilfully moved as the scenes changed.
Opening saw the two daughters, Baby Jane and Louise, together with co-artists during their performances and also backstage.
Theatre has a bright future in Australia when one sees the talent of the future generation as these kids showed.
Rose was portrayed by Lizzie Matjacic.
Lizzie really caught the essence of the show business mother giving a remarkable performance.
Unfortunately, the sound technicians did let her down for when she hit a high note it sounded like screeching.
This is often heard in theatres and ne does blame the sound technicians.
Her daughter baby June, was played by Zoe D’ Alessandro.
A wonderful performance f the young girl who her mother (Rose) was determined to make her a star whether she wanted to or not.
Her sister, Louise, was the quiet not so talented one of the family but!
Ultimately, she became Gypsy Rose lee a Burlesque star. Zoe gave an outstanding performance from the quiet Louise to the star of burlesque.
Their agent, Herbie, was played by Mark Monroe, a man who was in love with Rose but never could get her to the alter.
Mark gave a good portrayal f the agent who stuck up for the cast when trouble happened.
A great production with amazing costuming, in fact it is worth seeing just for the costumes.
Your reviewer did think that part one could have been cut a little but overall it was a wonderful evening of musical theatre.
