They’re all bad girls

Bad Girls (and boys), from left: Robert Trott (governor), Rosemarie Griggs (prisoner), Siobhan Hedderman (prisoner), Susan Casey (guard), Jordana Hurrell (prisoner), Peta McMillan Kelly (prisoner), Rain Jones (director) and Claire Bamford (producer). 168071 Picture: ROB CAREW

By Kath Gannaway

Presenting the Victorian premiere of ‘Bad Girls – The Musical’ was always going to be a challenge, but for director, Rain Jones, and the Catprint cast and crew, it’s a challenge they’ve met head-on.
The musical adaptation of the British award-winning television drama is set in an English prison and tells the story of the battle between the new and the old guard – literally.
It follows the love story between inmates Helen and Nikki, the prison hierarchy and has a made-for-musical riot scene.
“It’s a 15-plus show with a bit of everything,” Rain said just a week out from the opening performance at The Memo in Healesville on Saturday, 20 May.
“It has drama, music, lots of humour … it’s a bit of a reality check, a bit of a shock, it raises issues … it’s a mixed bag and some of the content may be quite challenging if people have had to deal with similar issues,” she said.
For the cast which ranges from 21 to 70-something, and the crew, including producer Claire Bamford and choreographer Julie Wright, the show is an opportunity to explore and hone the great range of talents and present a show which has substance, humour and fun.
Bad Girls – The Musical is presented by Catprint, Warburton Theatre Productions and Valley Productions at The Memo on 20 and 21 May and at Warburton Arts Centre on 27 and 28 May.
To book visit www.culturetracks.info or call into the venues.
See more of the Bad Girls cast and crew in the Mail online gallery at Mailcommunity.com.