New Faces, New Arrivals, in CLOC’s Drowsy Chaperone
After breaking attendance records with its production of Mary Poppins earlier this year, CLOC Musical Theatre is producing the rarely performed musical gem The Drowsy Chaperone, a show which beat bigger and grander musicals to win five Tony awards in 2006, including Best Score and Best Book, and which then enjoyed a sell-out 2010 season by the Melbourne Theatre Company with an all-star cast led by Geoffrey Rush.
This show is breaking new ground for CLOC, as not only are audiences being given an opportunity to see a rarely performed jewel of a show, but in a small cast of 17, including four new arrivals to Melbourne from distant shores, who are all making their CLOC and Melbourne theatrical debuts.
Michelle Hunt (second from left), who plays Broadway star and bride-to-be Janet Van De Graaff, hails from Utah in the USA, who, like the character she is playing, gave up her professional life for love. Yes, Michelle met her UK born beau when she was working as an entertainer on a cruise ship, and she followed him here when he landed a job in Melbourne. The unusually named Kinloch Anstiss (second from right), who is playing best man George, is a one-man United Nations, with a Scottish first name, Greek surname, born in New Zealand, ex Londoner, and now Melbourne resident. Sophie Wheale (left) is also from the UK, having arrived earlier this year to pursue her professional modelling career. And Jenna Featherstone (right) is newly arrived from Brisbane, and recently relocated to Melbourne with her partner.
All four have found that being involved with CLOC and The Drowsy Chaperone, has been a fabulous outlet for both their musical theatre passions, and for making friends in their new hometown.
The Drowsy Chaperone runs from October 2-17, 2015 at the National Theatre in St Kilda for twelve performances, including two matinees.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to the CLOC website www.cloc.org.au or call the CLOC Ticket Line on 1300 362 547.
Image: L-R: Sophie Wheale, Michelle Hunt, Kinloch Anstiss and Jenna Featherstone. Photography by Ben Fon
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