Theatrical Duo Getting All Shook Up at CLOC

Theatrical Duo Getting All Shook Up at CLOC

With its October production, Melbourne’s CLOC Musical Theatre is preparing to take a nostalgic and hilarious trip back to the days of slick hair, smooth talk, cool dudes – and hip swivelling rockin’ good times!

All Shook Up is a new musical set in the 1950s and based around the songs of Elvis Presley, featuring nearly 30 of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s biggest hits woven into a story of mistaken identity, mixed up romance and true love.

Playing the romantic lead characters Chad and Natalie are Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, and Melanie Ott (pictured above).  Jonathan comes from a well-known musical and theatrical family, whose members have been active for many years in the community music theatre scene. For Jonathan, this will be his first CLOC show, and a very special and poignant occasion, as his father, a huge Elvis fan, passed away after a long illness during the first week of rehearsals. “My Dad loved Elvis, and I am so sad that he will not get a chance to see me perform this role which was so close to his heart,” says Jonathan. “However, he did know that I had been cast, and he was thrilled that I would be singing all those fabulous Elvis songs. And every night onstage I will dedicate to his memory.”

Melanie also comes from a family of Elvis fans, so is thrilled to have the opportunity to sing so many of his most popular songs.  “I have always loved the music and fashion of the 1950s,” says Mel, “so this show and character are a perfect match for me.  The only thing Natalie and I don’t have in common is that she is a motor mechanic and I don’t know one end of a wrench from another!”

Although not a biography of Elvis, All Shook Up does centre around a suspiciously similar leather jacketed, motor bike riding, guitar slinging, hip sashaying, slick haired roustabout whose arrival in a small US town sets the women swooning, the men reeling and the town on its ear.  With songs including Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender, Don’t Be Cruel, Blue Suede Shoes, Devil in Disguise, Jailhouse Rock, Burning Love, It’s Now or Never, C’mon Everybody, Follow That Dream and of course the title tune, there will definitely be a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on when CLOC’s cast raises the roof of St Kilda’s National Theatre in a feel good night of hilarity, high jinx and hit after familiar hit from a time when music was king and the king was Elvis. 

All Shook Up runs from October 5 - 20 for twelve performances, including three matinees on Saturday October 13 and Sundays October 7 and 14.  Tickets can be purchased by phoning 1300 362 547, or you can book online at www.cloc.org.au

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