The Boy From Oz

The Boy From Oz
Music and Lyrics by Peter Allen. Book by Nick Enright. Ballina Players. Directors: Paul and Sue Belsham. Nov 9th – Dec 2nd, 2018

A popular choice for The Players final offering for 2018 is The Boy from Oz, last presented in 2009.

As Peter Allen, Brian Pamphilon carried the production with competence and pizzazz - accompanying himself on the white piano for many of the hit tunes. He held the audience from the start and they couldn’t get enough of this multi-faceted performer.

Lennox Broadley played the young Peter with Anna Melia as Liza Minnelli, Libby Stock as Judy Garland, Mick Webb as Greg Connell and Mel Doriean as Marion Woolnough (Peter’s Mum), and a small but enthusiastic ensemble and children’s choir completed the cast.

It’s not until you see a production of The Boy from Oz that you realise just what a prolific songwriter Peter Allen was and how much of the lyrics stay in one’s memory; which was obvious from the many audience members singing along!

Not only did Paul Belsham combine with his wife Sue in directing the show, he also led the small instrumental combo accompanying the show. Choreography was in the capable hands of Jaime Sheehan.

A feel-good show not to be missed.

Roger McKenzie 

Image: Karen Goodsell                         

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.