Triassic Parq

Triassic Parq
By Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Stephen Wargo. Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre. Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, Sydney. June 17 – July 4, 2015.

Triple threat dinosaurs roam the Reginald jungle, downstairs at the Seymour Centre. It’s an attractive, effective, moveable potted-palm-populated set design by Neil Shotter, very much in on the joke, aided and abetted by clever lighting and atmospherics from Mikey Rice.

Just when you thought musicals had become deep and meaningful, along comes a silly pop culture musical comedy, sending up Hollywood blockbuster excesses, reminding you that once all that was asked of the genre were song, dance and gags.

Squabbalogic are at it again, introducing another quirky musical, the Off-Broadway send-up Triassic Parq, low budget musical alter-ego of the blockbuster movie franchise.

Judging by the knowing laughs, Jurassic Park fans really get it, with in-jokes and references laid on thick and fast, especially early on, including nice nods in the design.

What is the true story of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park? Well it’s pretty silly stuff really (no sillier, though, than what you’re asked to believe in the film franchise), centred on the social ramifications of a female T-Rex growing a penis, thanks to experimentation with frog genes; that’s if we’re to believe the flimsy Off-Broadway musical send-up Triassic Parq, currently having its Australian Premiere. Still, played way over-the-top by a particularly talented team of young local musical theatre performers, silliness doesn’t really matter, in a diverting, non-stop production, elevating the pleasantly Broadway-pop styled score beyond itself with their great vocals. The kooky farcical fun is played throughout with utter belief.

Director Jay James-Moody and choreographer Dean Vince have created a bright, playful production, helped along by a cast who clearly approach ‘cult’ musicals with the same committed professionalism as classics.

Leading man(lady) Rob Johnson’s Velociraptor of Innocence is appropriately sweet and engaging. Blake Erickson anchors the production as religious leader, the Velociraptor of Faith, with wit, playing the unbelieveable as credible, while deliciously nailing his early Morgan Freeman impression. Delightful are BFF T-Rexs, Monique Sallé, fierce as T-Rex 1, and Adéle Parkinson’s gentler T-Rex 2, transformed deliciously by her frog genes into a randy creature, with mock-masculine traits. Their duet provides perhaps the brightest vocal fireworks of the show. Keira Daley’s comical no-nonsense Velociraptor of Science is another treat, while Crystal Hegedis’ Marcel Marceau-esque white-face Mimeosaurus is cute fun throughout. Musical Director Mark Chamberlain, aka Pianosaurus, chimes in, as keyboard players so often do in this sort of show, for his share of the fun.

Movement-wise it’s a bit like Cats, but with dinosaurs, with the ability of the cast to nail stance, gait and claws constantly adding to the fun.

This slight, silly musical spoof, produced with all the style and talent Sydney is now accustomed to in boutique musical productions from Squabbalogic, is diverting entertainment, and a special gift for musical theatre tragics.

Neil Litchfield

Photographer: Michael Francis.

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