Sydney Premiere of Mod Musical DOWNTOWN!

Sydney Premiere of Mod Musical DOWNTOWN!

Rockdale Musical Society, under its new St George Theatre Company banner, stages the Sydney Premiere of DOWNTOWN! - The Mod Musical at Hurstville Entertainment Centre from September 5 – 7, 2013.

DOWNTOWN! - The Mod Musical  flips through the years like a musical magazine and takes audiences back to the music, the fashion and the freedom of the 60's. DOWNTOWN! travels in time from 1960 to 1970, tracking five women as they come of age during the liberating days that made England. The girls swing through the pop anthems and ballads that made household names of stars like Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and Lulu.

DOWNTOWN!  uses letters to an advice columnist, true confessions, quizzes and advertisements as a frame for such chart-topping hits as "To Sir With Love", "Downtown", "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", "Son of A Preacher Man" and "Goldfinger".  Headlined by five leading ladies, this show also features a troupe of dancers who provide the groovy backing for the hip-swivelling hits.  Choreographer Craig Raymond, whose recent shows include “Zana Don’t” and “Hairspray” said, “Creating the choreography for Downtown has been so much fun! The 60's had so many iconic dance styles and steps like The Twist, The Frug, The Pony, The Swim and of course Go Go which are all featured throughout this show.

The five leading ladies in the cast are named by colours, each with iconic ‘60s characteristics. “Orange Girl”, Clare McCallum, sings classics such as “Wishing & a Hoping”, “I Only want to be with you” and “You don’t have to say you love me”, is described as  “domestic and maternal, whole-heartedly devoted to the care of her faithful husband and her 2 adorable children. She is completely contented... and completely in denial!” Lauren Nalty who is “Green Girl”, says, “My character is initially seen as "a bit of a tart", but its soon revealed that what she truly desires is genuine, everlasting love. She’s the comic relief of the show for the most part, but there is also a depth to her hiding behind the smart remarks and the short skirt. This show really appealed to me because of its important feminist message, catchy music and intriguing characters and it also has an hysterical storyline”.

Director Elle Zattera says, "The sixites was a time of such change and empowerment for women and the artists of the time were a reflection of that. This show is a celebration of the women of that era and also a poignant reminder of the issues will relevant for women today. With our five powerful women leads, as well as the fabulous ensemble, it has been a very interesting journey into just how many issues faced by the characters in the show that we still deal with as women in the twenty first century!”

With a blend of, eye-popping fashions and psychedelic dances, this fun-filled musical will make you want to head back to the swinging 60's!

Note – adults themes, so probably not one for the kids.

Parental guidance recommended.

Director: Elle Zattera

Musical Director: Josh Ransom

Choreographer: Craig Nhobbs

Designer: Chae Rogan

Construction: Tyler Hoggard

Jamie Lee Kemp as RED, Ebony Black as BLUE, Lauren Nalty as GREEN Lauren Kenyon as YELLOW and Clare Mack as ORANGE

Venue: Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Macmahon Street, Hurstville
Dates: Thursday 5th September 8pm, Friday 6th September 8pm, Saturday 7th 2pm & 8 pm

www.rockdalemusicalsociety.com

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