After mentioning Xanadu the Musical in my last post, I thought I might go on a tangent, as I'm wont to do, and include my review here. Enjoy!
Xanadu The Musical: A Review
It goes without saying that Xanadu the Musical is a camp kind of venture. This show was cleverly adapted for the Broadway stage in 2007, taking the infectious pop hits and fun stylings from the original 1980 cult movie, and thickening the plot to result in a delightful, rib-tickling show.
Where the movie was more a flimsy, albeit delightful, vehicle to display the beauty and singing talent of Olivia Newton-John, the musical uses the soundtrack to its advantage, advancing the plot via the songs, rather than despite them.
Christie Whelan makes the perfect Kira
The show, held within a big top at Docklands, aka ‘Xanadu Land’ mocks and celebrates the movie in equal measure.
The show is peppered with corny, laugh-inducing jokes. The only real cringe comes when Kira/Clio, practicing her new fake Aussie accent, utters the line, ‘By the fires of Hephaestus... I mean . . . by the fires of all the shrimp on the barbie!’
The new and improved version of Sonny is a lovable himbo with strong pipes, played charmingly by Sam Ludeman. Sonny’s forbidden love, Kira, is played to perfection by Christie Whelan, who gives Olivia a run for her money – she is beautiful, with an angelic voice and undeniable star quality. This incarnation of the roller skating muse also possesses impeccable comic timing; she's an adorable dork through and through. I can’t wait to see a lot more of Whelan in future theatre productions.
Kira’s meddling, jealous sisters Melpomene (Cherine Peck) and Calliope (Susan-Ann Walker) are entertaining indeed, bringing a much-welcomed slice of villainy to the piece. Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, manages to sum up the whole show when she comments that ‘It’s like children’s theatre for gay forty-year-old men!’
Another of Kira’s nine sisters was impossible to miss - Terpsicore, the Muse of Dance - who was played by a large burly man (Damien Bermingham) who looked more suited to riding in a Hell’s Angels convoy! He was highly amusing, epitomising the campness of the production.
Danny McGuire, the jaded owner of the initially run-down Xanadu auditorium, is played with pizzazz by John McTernan. The jazz-tinged ‘Whenever You’re Away From Me’ is a major highlight, complete with amazing desk-top tap solo from an astounding Luke Alleva, as well as some delightful scatting from Whelan.
The song, ‘Dancin’, an electric merging of 40s and 80s musical styles is performed with chutzpah. The energy-laden 80s boys thrilled the ‘floor’ audience by interacting with them, making it hard to resist the urge to get up and dance. (Alas, I had to seeing I was on stage and denied the opportunity to steal the show!)
Yes, you heard right – I was on stage! 'Settling' for the cheap seats was a wise decision, as my friends and I had the privilege of becoming part of the scenery, so to speak. I had the pleasure of having my head massaged by a paint roller during Xanadu’s renovation scene. Also, a very fit skater in tiny shorts parked himself on the ledge of my seat for a brief moment before spiriting himself away for another dazzling roller-dance sequence. Although I'd love to see the show again, with a traditional front view of the production, I have to say that watching the backs of the actors' heads for much of the show didn’t affect my enjoyment of it. It was wonderful to be amidst the action!
The actors/skaters managed spectacularly within a very tight space - their ability to perform within those confines was impressive. Although most of the skating was nothing to rival Torvill and Dean, the obviously professional skaters, who saved their dazzling appearance for the titular number, wowed the crowds. The already-delighted audience was in rapture. Us lucky audience members sitting on stage were given glow-sticks to wave as we sang along to the infectious ‘Xanadu’!
A large part of the audience’s enjoyment was derived from the fact that all the actors on stage were obviously having a spectacularly fun time. The musical has now finished its Melbourne stint due to poor ticket sales, so it was wonderful to see that this news hasn’t dampened the cast and crew’s enthusiasm.
I know I felt like a kid at the circus, grinning foolishly throughout the whole experience. I went mad buying up on merchandise and posing in ‘the stocks’, to resemble a demented version of Kira, as well as Sonny. That’s just the kind of whimsical joy the musical inspires!
Live 80s band ‘Stand and Deliver’ performed in a separate part of the big top after the show, adding yet more frivolity to the atmosphere.
So if you are on the lookout for a smile-inducing time, and especially if you’re a child of the 80s, let Kira, the roller-skating muse, take you on a crazy journey you’ll want to see more than once!
Hamming It Up with my buddies!
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