Brisbane Review - McFadyen Strikes a Note with Reality.

By Lilian Harrington

Production:  Reality … A Musical

Writer:          Ian McFadyen

Company:    Redcliffe Musical Theatre (RMT)

Director:        Madeleine Johns

Location:       Redcliffe Entertainment Centre(REC)

Pilot Season 8- 9 September 9, 7 pm

Bookings:      Ph: R.E.C. 34806280 or R.M.T.32830400

REALITY is the newest true- blue, Aussie tongue in cheek comedy, from professional Australian comedy writer, director, producer and actor, Ian McFadyen, who is known for his TV program series “The Comedy Company” and “Let the Blood Run Free” among other notable TV productions; with his knack of taking a look at a simple issue, his latest work Reality…A Musical, takes a satirical poke at TV reality shows with a focus on live, chaotic, TV programs, in particular, “home renovations”, such as you might see in “The Block” , along with “Neighbours”.  In collaboration with, Madeleine Johns, the director of Redcliffe Musical Theatre, it has premiered at the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, for a pilot season. The script and original music promise to have wide appeal with many Aussie theatre goers, because they’ll relate to the focus on home repairs; it tells the story of two neighbouring families, long time friends, who live along side each other, who have agreed to have their homes renovated at the same time, as part of a TV Home Renovation Challenge. Unfortunately, the families are not given all the vital information, which is all part of the renovation project and this leads to confusion and conflict.  

Totally naïve and innocent of all the ploys that are used to make this reality TV program successful, and to give it  wide appeal, the two couples and their children, become the pawns of the ambitious program producers in a hard -hitting TV reality show, which aims at getting high  ratings, at all costs; amidst the pressure of fame, artificial competition, and manufactured media stories and disasters, both families have their lives turned upside down, and witness unwanted friction, anxiety, as their lives spiral out of control, and the two kids have to step up and right the situation, in order to save their families, which they do through a national song competition, sung and written by Maddie Rogers (Zahlie Brackstone),  accompanied by Ash Mclean( Conor Ensor) and was deemed the winning entry.  

Under the direction of Madeleine Johns, orchestrations from the talented young Taylee Jurekie-Rofe, and Ian McFadyen, the cast have put together an awesome, innovative, fun, and well-constructed performance for this pilot program, which even saw Ian McFadyen on stage at one point, as one of the judges. The four lead vocalists, were played by: Dan McLean (Peter Hurren), Raelene McLean (Jill Rowlands), Jennifer Rogers (Stephanie Collins), and Steven Rogers (Jonny Sweeper), with strong vocals from Maddie Rogers (Zahlee Brackstone), and Ash Mclean (Conor Ensor). And the two hard-nosed TV producers, Natalie Beecham (Jacqueline Kerr), and Bernard Baxter (Jake Hollingsworth), gave very effective character portrayals.  In true McFadyen style, along with his effervescent characters, such as Wolfgang (Steven Eggington), there was the element of surprise, adding to the comedy in the form of “hooded quirky beings”, the “gossip -mongers” who danced across the stage seeking “bad news” to increase the TV ratings.

Technically, the production ran smoothly, apart from some slippery floor issues on the night, which the actors covered well. Under the Technical Manager, Angus Pitman, the production used overheads, atmospheric lighting and sound effects, plus there were two simply-styled house exteriors, however, the interior changes were never seen not even on overheads. The local Aussie audience were very responsive to Reality…a musical, which makes great family friendly entertainment.