Who read choose-your-own-adventure books as a kid? Up with the hands, I see you! They were corny and mysterious and enticing. They gave you a sense of control, yet you knew it was an illusion and they sucked you in every time. Keep that in mind and now think of your favourite Gothic novel or black and white melodramatic movie; say, for example, Frankenstein. Grab the closest CD of a well-known musical theatre or opera singer, perhaps Anthony Warlow or Marina Prior.
With me still? If you are then you are just starting to get a hint of what to expect from cult show In The Dead of the Night.
Producing a show in The Butterfly Club is a challenge. It is a tiny space with one entrance, which performers and audience alike use, the aisle is less than hip width, and the stage is about the size of my bedroom.
Dr Kim Edwards has managed to create a production specifically for this unique space. The script is deceptively simple but it is purposefully crafted to evoke a Gothic Melodramatic feel and the narrative, impeccably chosen songs, both familiar and lesser known, are all in sync, working together towards the same end – a humorous and entertaining cabaret show.
Performers, Zac Brown, Lizzie Matjacic, and Trevor Jones pitch their performances perfectly, landing on the right side of Melodrama. My personal highlight was Trevor Jones ‘ performance of “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa”. It was nice to see the “accompanists” incorporated into the narrative rather than us trying to pretend he was not there, which is impossible in a venue as small as The Butterfly Club.
Due to the “choose your own adventure” aspect, performances change from night to night; ours included the hunchback accompanist breaking out in to nervous opera, a blood curdling scream in the dark and Jim Carey impersonations by guest performer Jonathan Ruthrie-Jones.
This weeks the theme is “Gothic” so get your corsets and black lippy out!
In The Dead Of Night is on only at The Butterfly Club, 10.30pm every Fri/Sat July 31- Aug 15
Tickets $22/17
