MDMS = More Dynamic Musical Shows
A brand new production of Guys and Dolls opens this week, and no, it’s not at the Arts Centre. Coral Drouyn explains why she's expecting a fabulous night of musical theatre.
It’s fair to say that there are a huge number of theatre-goers who would never make their way to the Outer Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne to see a musical. That’s all right. It means there is more chance for those of us who know a good thing when we see it to go multiple times to each production. That’s exactly what happens with Mountain District Musical Society. Unlike so many companies who prefer the use of the word “community” MDMS happily calls itself an amateur theatre company, though it prides itself on serving the community. It is amateur in name only, for I’ve seen productions of the highest professional quality from them, and their home at the Karralyka theatre in Ringwood is beautifully appointed and often plays host to full professional productions. Indeed, many professionals between shows will happily keep their skills honed in an MDMS production. It’s a far cry from when the company started in the 1940s as a CWA choir.
Melbourne is home to some extraordinary amateur/community theatre companies, and I have to admit that when I started reviewing, their opening nights were not high on my list. But the standard is so high generally that it’s a sheer delight to see their shows. MDMS’s last two major productions (they do one major musical production in June each year, and a smaller offering plus Christmas Carols as well) have been amazing. Last year’s Fiddler On The Roof, starring the amazing Adrian Carr and directed by skilful and innovative Paul Watson, was one of my highlights out of more than 150 shows. In 2012, MDMS gave us a spectacular production of How to Succeed In Business starring the ridiculously talented Tyler Hess who also designed the sublime award-winning costumes.
Now Tyler Hess is back, this time as director of an all new production of Guys and Dolls, a fabulous and timeless musical based on Damon Runyon’s short stories. Tyler has taken it from the thirties back to the 20s, so flappers and gangsters are on the agenda. He is also doing the costumes again (with Hazel Green), so they will no doubt be sensational, and with the skilled Danny Forward as Musical Director, and choreography by Craig Wiltshire and musical tragics can start to salivate. All of these talents are deserved award winners in their fields. Add to this Lighting by Jason Bovaird, the man rapidly becoming the most talked about and sought after lighting director in Victoria, and you know without question that Guys and Dolls is set to surpass the extraordinarily high standards MDMS sets for itself.
It hasn’t always been easy, the company has faced major setbacks several times over the years, but talent and commitment will always survive somehow.
These extravagant productions run only one week, in this case June 13th-21st, and I can’t help feeling sorry for those who won’t get to be there. But I most certainly will….wild gangsters couldn’t stop me.
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