As if directing a full-scale, feature-length musical theatre production wouldnโt be a daunting prospect on its own, imagine doing it on top of full-time work while being pregnant.
Itโs all part of the โwild rideโ Heathers the Musical director Kelly Roberts has been on to bring the amateur production to the stage at Gungahlin Theatre.
โItโs been probably 14 months of conceptualised work, discussing, and getting our hands on every little bit of material we know about it.
โThree months of rehearsal and 14 months of work all up, which for an amateur show is a long time,โ Roberts smiles.
โItโs a real balancing act. I did a show at school this year too. Itโs hard fitting it all in but itโs so worth it because you love it and you find the time for it.โ
Based on the 1988 black comedy cult classic starring Winona Ryder, Roberts says she revelled in bringing the โdeliciously darkโ high-school revenge saga to life on the stage.
โItโs quite a cult classic film, but the musical as well has become a bit of a cult classic with a younger audience.
โIโm a school teacher and a lot of my year 11 and 12 students are obsessed with the show, and I wondered how they all knew this 1988 movie, but they know it from the musical,โ she says.
Roberts and her creative team, including co-director Grant Pegg, have strived to strike a balance between paying homage to the source material while bringing their own panache to the piece.
โThe show has a lot of good one-liners from the film, but then itโs done to its own entity, which is nice. Itโs not a slave to the movie.โ
Dramatic Productions have definitely added their own flavour via the set. Their stage has been established in an abstract, yet stripped-back fashion, adorning it with oversized locker walls extending from the wings, and a big, dark staircase that sits upstage.
Roberts says they didnโt want to be too literal with their set design.
โWe wanted to be able to move from space to space and allow the audience to use their imagination while maintaining some sense of where we are.โ
In contrast, the dynamic, nostalgia-inducing costumes worn by the main cast are a nod to one of the filmโs signature elements, with its wardrobe comprised bright, bold block colours.
Roberts says sheโs excited to put on Canberraโs premiere production of the adaption.
โEveryoneโs really committed, everyoneโs there because they want to and weโve all got the same goal, focus and purpose, which is nice.
โItโs a really different, unique show and itโs so much fun. Itโs hilarious, dark, and thereโs really amazing talent in this cast. Weโve been really lucky and got some really fantastic performers.โ
In addition, 10% of the price of each ticket is being donated to a different local charity each night; those donations will then be matched by Masonicare.
Heathers is on now at Gungahlin Theatre, Gungahlin College until 27 October, visit stagecenta.com for tickets.
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