Buffy Kills Edward

Buffy Kills Edward
Created by Laura Wiley. Emma Knights Productions. Directed by Megan Doherty. Gasworks Art Park, 21 Graham St, Melbourne. 12-14 September, 2019.

Can someone (your friendly reviewer, for instance) who, before seeing this show, barely comprehended (and to be honest, barely comprehends after it) that the casts of Buffy and Twilight exist in different realities/universes, still get heaps of hearty laughs from a musical spoof of these phenomena that have largely passed him by? In other words, does Buffy Kills Edward have the potential to deliver a good time in the theatre for a novice newcomer as well as a die-hard fan? Absolutely, it can.

Elle Nichelle (as the first of our two title characters) is a strong and appealing presence; her characterisation does well to find a credible blend of toughness and tenderness. The opening song number seemed a little on the muted side in its Adelaide preview, but perhaps it will gain more punch as the season progresses.

Alana Shepherdson puts a sly spin on Twilight’s heroine Bella, capturing a Kristen-Stewart-style vibe while deconstructing the character into aspects that can be cleverly – and successfully – satirised.

The relatively small supporting cast deserve high praise for how many different roles they encompass between them, with the exuberantly sexy Maryann Boettcher especially effective and memorable.

Well-chosen technical effects add to the fun, while the canned musical backing perfectly fits the scale and intent of this cutely amusing send-up, one whose hard-working and energetic cast can be congratulated on managing to sell their show convincingly to a newbie such as this reviewer.

One looks forward to further ventures in this ‘vein’ from the talented Emma Knights.

Anthony Vawser

Photographer: Maryann Boettcher

Note-Reviewed as a double bill with Sex and the Musical, at The Parks Theatre, Adelaide, Saturday September 7, 2019.

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