Side Show at Playlovers

ARE you ready for a singing, dancing pair of conjoined twins?

It may seem a bizarre premise for a musical – but Side Show is actually based on the true story of Daisy and Violet Hilton who were joined at the hip and went from being a circus act to famous stage performers in the 1930s.

Directed by Tyler Jones at Playlovers (WA) this September, the musical was nominated for four Tony Awards in 1998 and explores the sisters’ rise to fame and their quest for love and acceptance.

“It may seem an odd or even off-putting subject but Side Show doesn’t revel in weirdness or the grotesque,” he said.

“The musical deals with classic themes of love, rejection, acceptance and the triumph of the human spirit.

“It also possesses one of the most consistently beautiful and moving scores in contemporary musical theatre.

“I wanted to bring the story and the music to a new audience.”

First becoming involved in theatre in high school, Jones has performed in an array of productions over the past five years, including Everything Must Go, Seussical, Eurobeat, bare, Jonah, Spamalot  and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and he previously directed Ruthless! The Musical.

He has also been involved with Stirling and Kwinana Theatres and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA, also scoring nominations for best musical theatre performer at the 2008 and 2009 Finley Awards.

With Side Show, he admits the production is a major undertaking

“The primary mode of storytelling is through music rather than dialogue, requiring the director to have a thorough understanding of music,” Jones said.

“It also places certain limitations on how the show can be staged.

“Perhaps the most crucial element to get right is casting two lead women who are not only excellent vocalists but also physically similar and capable of performing the entire show connected to each another at the hip.

“It remains to be seen whether these challenges will be overcome throughout the rehearsal period but I am cautiously optimistic at this stage.”

Side Show plays at 8pm, September 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 and 7pm, September 11. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book on 0415 777 173 or bookings@playlovers.org.au.

Playlovers is located at Hackett Hall, Draper Street (off Underwood Avenue), Floreat. More information about Playlovers is at www.playlovers.org.au.

mages: (upper) Breeahn Jones and Claire Taylor are the conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton (lower) Conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton (Breeahn Jones and Claire Taylor, second and third from left) with the Egyptians - Jess Clancy, Amberly Cull, Skyler Ellis, Lexi Rollins and Joanna Tyler.

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