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Parade: UMMTA Leads the March

The University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association’s (UMMTA) uncanny professionalism strikes once more in Parade as they deliver a double punch of authentic, gut-wrenching history neatly nestled amongst the razzmatazz fair audiences have come to expect of musical theatre. Parade sets the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia, against a cacophony of sound (otherwise known as Jason Robert Brown’s ingenious … Continue reading Parade: UMMTA Leads the March

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IDA: Not Your Princess

Reproducing respected writer Anita Punton’s much loved 1994 production of ‘The Princess Ida Parlor’ was always going to be a challenge. Completely readapting IDA for a modern audience whilst also being forced to completely re-compose the score seems almost impossible. Yet, despite the potential setbacks, the indispensable Union House Theatre has triumphed once again in creating an engaging, informed and most of all, inspiring theatre … Continue reading IDA: Not Your Princess

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The Addams Family: No Normal Night Out!

The Addams Family is an absolutely fantastic choice for a college musical; rampant in innuendo-fueled laughs, boasting a catchy yet surprisingly complex score and a fun dose of gothic aesthetic. Plus, if all else fails, it has the unique ability to lean upon audience nostalgia for its iconic source material.  I was particularly excited to learn that St. Mary’s College would be tackling it in 2018, … Continue reading The Addams Family: No Normal Night Out!

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Heathers: How Very Indeed

Heathers: The Musical has to be one of the balliest musical choices, not only for the challenge of casting performers able to sing its absolutely mammoth vocal score, but also for the fear of offending any unsuspecting audience members with its gratuitously crude, dark sense of humor. And so, when I first heard the announcement that University College would be producing such musical, I was a … Continue reading Heathers: How Very Indeed

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Chicago: Foxy and Full of Heart

It’s a fair assumption that, both in nature and reputation, college productions aren’t exactly supposed to be taken too seriously. However, this was not the case for audiences of Ormond College’s recent production of Chicago. The audience were forced to leave any such presuppositions at home as the cast and crew tackled this raunch-fest with surprising professionalism, style and finesse. Chicago tells the tale of two … Continue reading Chicago: Foxy and Full of Heart

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The Drowsy Chaperone: No Sleep for the Audience!

UMMTA has always strived to produce high-quality productions and stellar performances in some attempt to mend the stereotypical bridge between the ‘university musical’ and amateur theatre. This time, they have truly exceeded all expectations with their adaptation of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’. If you’re unfamiliar, which I find highly doubtful considering the show’s popularity, the premise is that of the typical musical within a musical scenario: … Continue reading The Drowsy Chaperone: No Sleep for the Audience!

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Talk of ‘Tinder Tales’ and Fails with Writer Mattie McLeod

Mattie McLeod seems to be the typical 24 year old, studying a bachelor of Film and Television at the VCA and in constant post-traumatic turmoil over her previous Tinder flings. Yet unlike most, she is also the writer of a new Australian musical comedy, Tinder Tales, premiering this month at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Recently, I sat down with her to discuss all things … Continue reading Talk of ‘Tinder Tales’ and Fails with Writer Mattie McLeod

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