Rock and a dog

It really has been a long time between drinks for me on this blog, all I can simply say is life sometimes gets in the way....but lately I have been lucky enough to see some truly fun pieces of theatre.

Because of other commitments, I attended the dress rehearsal (instead of the performances) of Sylvia, a play put on by local group the Wangaratta Players.

For anyone unfamiliar this show, it tells the tale of a man, Greg, who adopts a stray dog, Sylvia, from the local park, with the twist being the dog is played by a woman who converses with him.

Things soon get complicated when the pet-human relationship begins to blur and Greg, looking for more meaning in his life, becomes so devoted to Sylvia it begins to ruin his job and his marriage.

The play, despite the sound of this synopsis, is a hilarious take on relationships and a fond look at the bond that develops between people and their pets.

The whole cast were unforgettable, with Janelle Bisignano flawlessly inhabiting the title role (pictured above with fellow cast members Mel Taylor-Ryan and Hamish Ramsay).

Fun was also the byword last week when I was lucky enough to attend the final preview of Melbourne's latest Broadway import, Rock of Ages (thanks to Flourish PR).

Too often, I think fun is an overlooked element of theatre, sneered at by elitist elements, but there is something to be said for shows that leave you singing, dancing and grinning.

Let me say, this show delivers fun in spades, with a cheesy, self-aware storyline and a long list of the crowd pleasing rock songs of the 1980s, from Every Rose Has Its Thorn to We Built This City and of course, the Journey classic that has been granted an immense second life in the 21st century, Don't Stop Believin'.

You are handed an LED "cigarette lighter" on entry to the show, are encouraged to take a drink to your seat and to sing along, and are treated to a cavalcade of 1980s nostalgia, romance and laughs.

Rocker Justin Burford brings a charming, boyish charisma to the main character of Drew, who has a goofy Brendan Fraser quality to him, while Amy Lehpamer was determined and winning as Sherrie.

I got the most laughs out of Brent Hill, who played the narrator, a Jack Black crossed with Puck type character called Lonny, who did not let up on the comedy for a second and has a truly unforgettable moment during Can't Fight This Feeling. Also memorable was Michael Falzon as the debauched and bizaare Stacee Jaxx and Lincoln Hall as the highly camp "I'm not gay, I'm just German" Franz.

This show is truly crowd pleasing, having something for both men and women, and especially nostalgic for Generation Xers like myself.

I even found myself suggesting it as a "man-date" for my some of my rock-inclined male friends!

I am not embarassed to say I, like most of the audience, was out of my seat dancing, singing and waving my lighter during the closing number, losing myself to the fun and optimism of the music.

And you will too.