By Peter Kemp
Eltham Little Theatre
Into the Woods Jnr.
Once Upon a time
Eltham Little Theatre cordially invited you to a far-off kingdom to meet
a fair maiden
a sad young lad
and a childless baker
with his wife…
Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairy tale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking Tony Award winning musical, Into the Woods Jnr, features all of your favourite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his Beanstalk) and the Witch – in this lyrically rich retelling of the Brothers Grimm fables.
The musical centres on a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s festival; and Jack; who wisher’s his cow would give milk.
When the baker and his wife learn they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse and wind up changed forever.
Season: 6 – 21 July
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre
Suite Surrender
Lilydale Athenaeum theatre presented its audiences with a farce in its production of Suite Surrender.
A great evening of fun and laughs with a twist to surprise you.
Set in the spring of 1942 with the members of the armed forces creating havoc off stage.
A wonderful stage setting of the main room of a suite in the Palm Beach royale Hotel where two stars of the silver screen have accidently both booked the dame suite.
Sis this led to fun and games.
The room had the requisite five doors (essential for a farce).
The doors on audience left and right led to bedrooms.
The entrance door to the suite was in the rear at audience right.
The closet door was next o the main door and then there was the balcony door whish when opened gave a good view of the palm trees and the beach.
The play opens with two bellhops laying flowers around the room when the manager arrives.
The two bellhops Otto played by James Banger and Francis played by Joshua Houston.
Both gave remarkable performances causing lots of laughter from the opening night audience.
The hotel manager, Bernard S. Dunlop was given a great performance by Paul Wants.
The socialite who was running a benefit concert for the troops, Mrs Everet P. Osgood, was
played by Pia Maganov.
Pia handled the role with finesse giving a good performance.
The journalist and gossip writer Dora Del Rio was performed by Rebekka Wilde.
A good interpretation of the role and some of the suffering Rebekka went through was amazing.
Then one of the Hollywood stars complete with secretary entered.
This was Claudia McFadden played by Fiona Carter, a wonderful portrayal of such a spoiled leading lady.
Her secretary Mr Pippen portrayed by James Anderson who your correspondent feels stole the show.
A large gawky portrayal, a real yes-man who obeyed every whim until…
The came Miss Boodles, another great success.
A French poodle who behaved herself throughout not disgracing herself at all.
The other Hollywood star Athena Sinclair played by Adrienne George.
The two stars hated each other, and they accidently booked into the same suite which led to some interesting moments.
Athena caught the essence of such a character and added to the enjoyment of the audience.
Her secretary Murphy was played by Em Beggs who gave a great performance in her character.
A good evening of fun and laughter, with terrific costuming, set design and a wonderful opening night.
REMEMBER
Eltham Little Theatre, Into the Woods Jnr, Season: 6 – 21 July. Bookings: 0411 713 095
The 1812 Theatre The Sweat Delilah Swim Club Season: 1 – 24 August. Bookings: 9758 3964
