Category: Reviews and in the news

By Mariam Koslay

This Friday night the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) will kick off its two-week season in a blaze of colour, comedy and song for ‘A Razzle Dazzle Music Hall Revue!’.

This year’s music hall revue is fast-paced and a clever combination of comical sketches, musical items, a renowned line up of male dancers and an illusionist.

The chorus line will feature music from The Beach Boys to Broadway numbers and promises to be a show not to be missed.

The two act show is divided into 14 items that run for three to five minutes in duration.

The pace and velocity of the performance is a unique and alluring characteristic of the overall show, director Anne Cleary said.

“It’s a mish-mash of everything and it really keeps people’s attention. People can’t afford to take a toilet break,” she laughed.

“The script is not set and structured like conventional shows but is a conglomeration of scripts that we have matched to the people who attend the show.”

The unique structure and non-linear narrative of ‘A Razzle Dazzle Music Hall Revue!’ signifies a growing shift of style at the company.

Ms Cleary said ‘A Razzle Dazzle Music Hall Revue!’ is not only a time to celebrate the power of local performance but the enthusiasm of the community participants.

“Some of the people on the show are trained and seasoned actors, but others put their hand up and said, I’m interested, I can do this,” Ms Cleary said.

Ranging from 19 to 70 in age, she said the introduction of Hannah Cotton and Melissa Shoard in the show brought a great addition to the singing and dancing in the show.

The two hour performance will be held over the first two weekends in November at the Crookwell Memorial Hall and tickets will be sold for $20 each.

A proportion of the ‘A Razzle Dazzle Music Hall Revue!’ ticket sales will go towards local Brad Hayes, who suffered a spinal injury earlier this year.

Over the years, CADS musical shows and skits have moved away from the conventional and traditional performances to a more contemporary, upbeat and innovative production company.

Bookings for either theatre seating or table seating performances can also be made online at www.trybooking.com/NILN or www.trybooking.com/NILR for table seats.

Limited tickets may also be available at the door.

For more information on ‘A Razzle Dazzle Music Hall Revue!’ call Anne Cleary on 4832 1457 or to get involved head to cads.org.au.

CADS is a voluntary organisation which aims at propelling the future of theatre in Crookwell and supporting local arts initiatives and school programs.

Originally published online by the Goulburn Post as A Razzle Dazzle performance to hit Crookwell.

If you haven’t already done so, it is time now to book your seats to see “A Razzle-Dazzle Music Hall Revue!”

It’s opening at the Crookwell Memorial Hall on Friday 4 November and continuing for another five performances across the first two weekends in November.

CADS has been putting on music hall shows over a period of 26 years, and they have proved a favourite with local audiences.

In the beginning, these music halls followed a more traditional “old time” format, but in recent times, CADS has modernised the content to reflect a more contemporary feel.

While nostalgically called music hall, they have become more variety styled revues.

This year “A Razzle-Dazzle Music Hall Revue!” will feature – in a mish-mash of music, dance and comedy, an illusionist, a fitness instructor, clowns, time-warpers, surfers and wimbledon tennis players, along with the usual high calibre warblers of catchy tunes!

So if you are looking for some excellent entertainment for your friends visiting for the Crookwell Garden Festival on 5-6 November, this will be a great opportunity if you want to get in early for a pre-Christmas social function.

Come along to the Crookwell Memorial Hall on either November 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12.

For further booking information and show times, look for the advertisement in the Gazette, or ring Andrew or Jo at the Crookwell Visitor Information Centre.

Bookings are also available online this year; www.trybooking.com/NILN for theatre seatingwww.trybooking.com/NILR for table seating.

Originally published online by the Goulburn Post as CADS set to entertain – book your tickets now.

WHO would have believed that a flock of ewes, four dogs, a couple of pigs and various other farm residents could populate a Crookwell stage and provide bucket loads of laughs?

Well, that’s what is happening with the current CADS offering “FootrotFlats, he Musical,” taken from the popular comic strip by New Zealander Murray Ball and set to music.

All the characters from the comic strip are there, with the “animals” outnumbering the humans.

The humans of course are very much there in Wal Footrot himself, Cooch his environmentalist offsider, cranky Aunt Dolly, precocious niece Pongo and the gorgeous Cheeky – Wal’s romantic interest.

They are all as good as one has come to expect from a CADS production.

But the “animals” break new ground – and are hilarious. The costumes themselves are worth the cost of admission. Just the sight of Des Rowley (the reluctant but well endowed Cecil the ram), Rechell Naughton (unmistakably a cow), Maria Hill- Bennett (a glamorous sow), and the three ewes (Kerry Barr, Karen Ritchie and Margaret Hudson) was enough to send Sunday afternoon’s audience into a gale of laughter.

In a long list of credits for the crew behind the action, Rhonda Cummins was in charge of costumes – and showed her instinct for comedy is not restricted to the stage itself.

This side of her talents was on display in her role as Pongo.

Of course, being a tale of Footrot Flats Dog was a centre of the action.

Dog (his real name can never be revealed) was played by an amazingly agile Wal Smart – who was just great.

Wal’s “dog” actions of crawling, leaping, scratching (and all the other things dogs do) were a treat.

And his mournful howling to the moon over the departure of the love of his life Jess was a highlight. The role of the very fetching Jess was played by a lively Rie O’Brien.

A welcome newcomer to CADS in rugged Steve McKay filled two roles – as Cooch and as the awesome pig-dog Major (admired and feared by Dog). Steve has a very convincing glare as Major – and his heartfelt solo on preserving the earth was warmly received.

Smaller roles were filled by Robert Bill (as the fierce cat Horse) and Rob Huskinson (who fails in an attempt to buy Wal’s farm) – and who also fills the role of Boris the boar who woos and wins Dolores.

Which brings us back to the humans – James Kennedy fitting the role of Wal extremely well physically and dramatically – Janice Ciocca the redoubtable Aunt Dolly to a T, and Rhonda Cummins using her comedic talents as Pongo.

Kylie Chudleigh (helped by a massive blonde hairdo) was a statuesque Cheeky – with all the charms needed to coax Wal off his beloved farm.

Maria Hill-Bennett in her two roles (as the Corgi Prince Charles and Dolores the fecund sow) was a lot of fun – and possesses an attractive singing voice as well.

THE songs were catchy if not memorable, and as usual the ensemble singing was appreciated by the packed audience on Sunday.

The Sunday matinee is obviously a popular recent innovation by CADS.

“Footrot Flats – the Musical” is a different kind of offering by CADS – and once again our Dramatic Society has shown what can be achieved in entertainment with the enthusiasm and talent of a dedicated team.

Sandra Bill – long a rock in CADS foundations – was the producer and the constant laughter on Sunday afternoon was a clear indication of the success of her efforts.

“Footrot Flats” is a great way to spend an hour or two. If you don’t believe this reviewer – find out for yourself.

It will be on show again this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Originally published online by the Goulburn Post as Farmyard fun at Footrot Flats.