Brisbane review - Mayhem in June: an exciting innovation
By Lilian Harrington
Production: Mayhem in June
Company: Beenleigh Theatre Group at Crete Street Theatre
Writer /Composer/Director: Nicholas Hargreaves
Location: Crete St Beenleigh
Season: 3-4 May
Bookings: Try booking
Opening to spontaneous applause, Mayhem in June a musical, made its inaugural performance at Crete Street Theatre, Beenleigh. It is an exciting innovation by Beenleigh Theatre Group, (BTG), who have encouraged one of their own young members, Nick Hargreaves, to realise a dream and complete a musical he has written, composed and directed for the stage. This project has been supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), in partnership with the Queensland Government and Logan City Council, to support arts and culture in regional Queensland. The funding helped this 19 year old, make his debut as a composer and writer, and to work shop Mayhem in June before staging it.
The story is about a Year 11 student Peter Baxter , who arrives at a new high school and tries to reinvent himself and take on the role of Choir Master or Chess Master, but is given the role of Vice- Captain instead. Extra curriculum activities are important in the high school , but Peter finds that there are divisions within the groups, so friendships form and fail, along with the politics, and the relationships developed in high school clubs.
The story is told from Peter’s point of view . He writes everything down as if he’s playing a game of chess. He sets out the moves as he sees them , in his notebook like a game of chess and pre-empts all the moves his friends make over twelve months, (as if they are part of a game of chess). He spends his time calculating the next move.
The talented team of youthful actors have put their heart and soul into this new production and worked towards an energetic stage presentation. The ensemble work was well organised and the choreography and movement was carefully blocked, but some aspects of the production left the actors challenged e.g. the orchestra was positioned up stage, above the action. While this placement worked visually, it tended to drown out the singers at times and so it made it harder to hear the lyrics. The lyrics were important as they conveyed the narrative. Further, there was an imbalance in the sound level which made it harder to hear some of the dialogue. For those who were musically adept , this was a challenge. It could be put down to first night jitters , but it seemed to create a challenge for some of the singers at times, who sang off note, or too loudly on occasion. The instrumental work was effective and well thought out despite opening night issues.
The technical effects, set, props, and costumes, were simplistic and effective ;with some special lighting and animated effects; The chess pieces were placed strategically on stage to signify the moves created by Peter Baxter (Harrison Port), who narrated the story through song and dance and detailed events in his notebook. Supporting the competent and talented Harrison Port, was Mal, (Anika Jocumsen), who has a background in the arts and is currently studying at QUT and Diane (Zara Lassey), who played multiple roles effectively and brought humour and pizazz to her characters, which received a good audience response.Mayhem in June has been thoughtfully written and composed and while some further attention needs to be given to the vocal levels, Nick Hargreaves and his team need to be congratulated for the work they have achieved on this musical which received a warm, audience response.