Summer of ’69

‘If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliché that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's their problem. Love and peace are eternal.’ John Lennon. Never a truer word was said. I spent my latter years of primary school and early years of high school living in the 60s and so Davine’s latest show Summer of ’69 was a must to see!

Davine Productions, headed by the visionary David Gauci, is well known for smaller cast musical theatre done superbly and this show is no exception.

Devised and written by Gauci himself along with Musical Director Peter Johns, this production is a salute to the 60s; its music, events and the momentous changes that rocked the world during this decade.

Summer of 69 transforms Star Theatre One’s cosy, Covid-safe auditorium into a 60s' lounge room, complete with lava lamps, a drinks trolley, and a side screen to punctuate the commentary and songs with screen clips from the period.

Gauci’s staging is simple, but highly effective, highlighting the performers’ talent and bringing the show closer to the audience. Act 1 details the history of music throughout the decade and Act 2 highlights the 60s artists we have grown to know and love.

Peter Johns’ band is one of the tightest I have heard and perfectly matches the vocals while giving us that evocative 60s sound. It is comprised of Peter Johns, Dylan Rufus, Joe Mueller, Max Ziliotto and Daniel Burgess.

Our journey thorough the 60s is compared by Kate Anolak and Brendan Cooney, both well known in amateur theatre circles for their ad lib skills and vocals. Their interplay with the audience is spot on, not to mention their ever-changing costumes. Their comedy rendition of ‘Something Stupid’ is a highlight.

Every member of the ensemble has their chance to shine. Jemma McCullough channels Carole King belting out ‘I Feel the Earth Move’. Trevor Anderson teams perfectly with Jemma in the Bobby Vee standard ‘Take Good Care of my Baby’. Maya Miller embodies the spirit of the musical Hair singing ‘Easy to be Hard’. Joshua Kerr gives us a cheeky Sonny Bono singing ‘I Got You Babe’. Carly Meakin oozes flower power in ‘Aquarius’. Jordon Coulter gives us Bob Dylan, guitar and all, singing ‘The Times, they are a Changing’. Anthony Vawser belts out the Scott McKenzie hit ‘San Fransisco’ and Eloise Quinn-Valentine embodies Aretha Franklin singing ‘I Say a Little Prayer’.

The buzz among the audience reflected David Gauci’s introduction, welcoming us back to theatre after an extended period of being ‘locked down’ and locked out.

Summer of ’69 is a joyous return to when life was less restricting and more joyous - and best of all, you don’t have to have lived in the 60s to appreciate it! Thank you, Davine Productions.

Barry Hill