New traditions rise out of the ashes

by Ron Cerabona published in Times2 on Thursday 4 June 2009.

Canberra Repertory's Old Time Music Hall ended in 2008 after 34 years. It was the end of an era. But out of the ashes, so to speak, has risen Jazz Garters, subtitled A New Tradition

Taking its title from the stoush that saw Rep form as a breakaway theatre group over the cost of said garters in 1932, this won't simply be more of the same. Director Jim McMullen says, "It is a totally different format.

"When they asked me was I prepared to do something, I said, as long as I didn't get locked into a particular genre."

He envisaged what he calls "an exploration of entertainment", trying to cover as many different genres as possible, such as vaudeville, comedy, revuew, musical theatre, and cabaret.

"Right across the board, a little bit from all the styles - including music hall. Just a little bit that people will recognise."

Working with musical director Leisa Keen, choreographer Lisa Buckley and artistic advisor Peter J. Casey, who's also written the finale, McMullen says he has assembled a huge batch of material: "We've probably got enough for five shows."

The case is drawn from across Canberra's theatrical talent - "a good cross-section of our valued troupers and very young and talented performer", McMullen says - and includes Bronwyn Sullivan, Ian Croker, Charles Oliver and Dick Goldberg in the former group and Jane Kellett, Amy Dunham, Tim del[sic] Cortivo, Lara Karaloff[sic], Andy Burton, brothers David and Andrew Spence and sisters Jenny and Holly Kimmings in the latter. They will be supported by a seven-piece band on a set designed by Music Hall stalwart Andrew Kay.

As for the content of the show, McMullen doesn't want to give too much away, but is willing to provide a taste, and he says it is aimed at the whole family.

For those who couldn't make it to Sydney for the whole of Chicago, there will be a rendition of its Cell Block Tango, and We Are What We Are from and Croker performing Transformation from Jekyll & Hyde provide more numbers from Broadway.

The comedy skits include Goldberg recreating a bit from legendary Australian comic Roy "Mo" Rene and a relatively obscure Monty Python sketch, The Jape, a lecture about pratfalling.

"I'd never seen it before; I just happened to come across it," McMullen says.

Sullivan will sing the cabaret-style Alto Song which McMullen describes as "full-on and very funny" and there will also be weightlifters, jugglers and other novelty acts. And more besides: a lot to pack into two-and-a-half hours (including interval)

McMullen is acutely aware of the tradition he is following on from, saying, "People had been going to Music Hall for years: it's not an easy thing to put on a show after there have been so many, for 34 years."

So he's acknowledging the past, including a little piece of Music Hall for the traditionalist without, as he says, being twee about it.

He doesn't want to denigrate Music Hall, but thinks perhaps it was time for Rep to move on, and with both Kay and Music Hall's MC Russell Brown working on the set, it seems there are no hard feelings.

As for creating "a new tradition" - that's another matter.

"I had to direct the show as if it's a one-off: I think you have to. If you don't, you don't put the energy into it that you should."

Besides, as he points out, the only way to establish something is to make it as good as you possibly can."

"I think it's important we put every effort into the thing: if it grows into something else, well and good."

Article includes image of, from left, Michelle Will, Anne Timperley, Holly Kimmings and Jenny Kimmings