Fame and glory at Theatre 8

Geraldton audiences have finally been able to return to the theatre to see talented locals sing and dance their way through musical favourites of the silver screen.

Theatre 8’s Let’s Go To The Movies cabaret, directed by Doreen Howells and Jane Smith, was meant to have been staged earlier this year but was put on hold earlier this year because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Performers were able to return to socially distanced rehearsals in May and were finally able to show their skills to eager audiences from last weekend, with four of the five shows selling out at the time of print.

The entire show was entertaining and all performers did well, with the majority of the show exceeding the standard expected of amateur theatre.

Mila Krippner, 24, opened the show with a rousing rendition of Good Morning Baltimore from musical favourite Hairspray, with her strong but sweet vocals setting the tone for a captivating concert.

The star of the night was Brianna Randall, 24, who flawlessly sang solo musical hits I Know Where I’ve Been (Hairspray) and Hopelessly Devoted to you (Grease) while shining in the title songs of Dreamgirls and Mamma Mia! with the talented Hiede Jupp, Sarah Kingdon and Krippner, and complementing Jaden Thomas in West Side Story’s Tonight.

Comedic elements were highlighted through costumes, movement and ad-libs, especially by Jane Smith in Grease’s Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee and as the lead madam in A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, leading the rest of the cast.

Werner “Pieter” Laubscher was also amusing throughout the show, with his expressive acting, dramatic dancing and occasional cross-dressing spicing up the group numbers.

The blokes made their first appearance on stage in Greased Lightning, with Jaden Thomas the Danny Zuko to Laubscher, Brad Jose and Sheldon Long’s T-Birds in the energetic and cheeky number.

Sarah Kingdon’s interpretation of At Last, originally performed by Etta James, was a delight to listen to, as were Sharon Cole’s solos There Are Worse Things I Could Do (Grease) and Out Here On My Own (Fame).

Both ladies passionately crooned the ballads, enough to enthral the audience despite the absence of props or much movement. Master of ceremonies Caroline Kelly also kept the crowd entertained throughout the evening, mostly with corny “dad” jokes.

The capabilities of production volunteers was also apparent in the lighting, staging, and overall professional running of the evening.

It will be a hard act for Theatre 8’s next show Boeing Boeing to follow.

The show will be a farce from the 1960s centring on bachelor Bernard, who has a flat in Paris and three stewardesses all engaged to him without their knowing about each other.

Auditions for the show will be held on Sunday, December 6, with Theatre 8 management encouraging keen thespians to email them at theatre8info@ gmail.com for audition pieces and information.