ARC Theatre Gets All Shook Up in July

Jukebox musical comedy-of-errors All Shook Up, inspired by the songs of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, is ARC Theatre’s July 2014 production at Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg, Victoria.

Set in a small town in Middle America in the 1950s, the quiet and conservative community is turned on its head when a leather-jacketed roustabout rides into town determined to shake up the citizens with his guitar-playing, hip-swivelling and irresistible rock'n'roll music.

With a plot inspired by William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and featuring countless Elvis classics including Blue Suede Shoes, Jailhouse Rock and Can't Help Fallin in Love, ALL SHOOK UP promises to be an unforgettable night of musical comedy and infectious rock'n'roll music.

“Though it's a relatively new musical, All Shook Up has quickly become recognised for its colourful settings, clever dialogue, tongue in cheek comedy and catchy and recognisable score,” says ARC Theatre President, Nathan Slevin. “We chose All Shook Up as our major musical production this year for its great comedic timing accompanied with the popularity and transcendence of Elvis, making it the perfect musical to showcase the young theatrical talents that have joined our ranks”.

Currently undertaking a Bachelor Degree of Creative Arts, Nathan has trained with playwright Alex Broun and Sydney's Globe Shakespeare Centre, as well as portraying Snowboy in West Side Story, Joe in The Pajama Game and William Barfee in The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee among many other roles. In 2014 he made his directorial debut with Gypsy and appears in ARC Theatre's All Shook Up in the roll of Dennis– a socially awkward and conservative but hopeful young man who becomes the sidekick to the musical's guitar-playing, leather-jacketed, hip-swivelling hero in a puritan-like 1950s community, where rock'n'roll and Elvis' iconic pelvic thrusting are generally seen as evil.

ARC Theatre's All Shook Up brings together a diverse range of young, talented performers that include award-winning stage performer Ryan Purdy, who makes good use of his 18-years experience in community theatre with his portrayal of the musical's protagonist, Chad;  ARC-newcomer Shannon Pendrey who portrays the love-smitten female protagonist 'Natalie', whose misguided attempts to win the man-of-her-dreams hilariously backfire; Verity Brown as Mayor Matilda Hyde, the town's tyrannical mayor; and Merryn Degnan as the town's glamorous and intellectual museum curator, among dozens more actors, singers and dancers. 

“ARC Theatre has worked tirelessly, utilising the incredible skills of over 30 performers and production team members to deliver these popular elements, as well as presenting audience members with a fresh and unique experience,” says Nathan. “It's all about having fun and enjoying the thrill of live theatre."

ARC Theatre presents All Shook Up from July 4-12, 2014 at Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg, Victoria  (Melways Reference 32 D3). For all show enquires and ticket bookings, please call 0435 062 087 or BOOK TICKETS ONLINE at:www.arc-theatre.com

Artistic Team

Director - Liam Kilgour, Choreographer - Catherine Spanti, Musical Director - Rebecca Dupuy-Purcell and Assistant Choreographer - Louisa Dortenzio.

Performance Season

Friday 4th July - 8pm (Gala – Cocktail Attire Event)

Saturday 5th July - 8pm

Sunday 6th July - 5pm (Twilight Performance)

Wednesday 9th July - 8pm

Thursday 10th July - 8pm

Friday 11th July - 8pm

Saturday 12th July - 8pm

Images: Nathan Slevin as Dennis and Ryan Purdy as Chad; Shannon Pendrey as Natalie and Ryan Purdy as Chad; Steven Kent as Jim, Merryn Degnan as Sandra and Ryan Purdy as Chad, and Steven Kent as Jim and and Felicity Eastwood as Sylvia. Photographer: Jaclyn DeVincentis.