If you’re looking to find out where a society is at regarding social values, expectations, and standards, then look no further than its music and advice columns. Queanbeyan Players’ upcoming production, Downtown: The Mod Musical, combines these two things with bright fashion and big hair to create a show that will leave you feeling on cloud nine; showing at Belconnen Community Theatre, 24 February-5 March.

Set in swinging London at the start of a decade of rapid change, the 1960s, the musical revolves around five women in their early to mid-20s, known only by their colours. We follow them on a journey of self-growth in a changing world.

“All of a sudden you had a choice, and that came through in the music of the era. The music was joyful and questioning, and protest songs fought – and the lyrics, because of that, they’re just amazing; they tell stories,” says director, Anita Davenport.  

Blue, Green, Orange, Red, and Yellow write into Shout Magazine to ask advice from Agony Aunt to help them navigate issues in their lives. Davenport says when we first meet the young women, they are naïve, accepting the column’s advice as gospel truth.

“Your husband is coming home late at night and you don’t know why, but what you really should do is just find a new house coat, clean just a little bit better,” she says.

Davenport believes that just as people did when watching Sex and the City and announcing ‘I’m such a Samantha’, audiences will be quick to relate to the characters. She says back in the day, she was definitely Green, the good-time girl doing shots at the bar but now she sees herself more of an Orange, making sure everyone gets home safely.

Green is who you go to when you want some excitement; she’s a bit rough around the edges but has a heart of gold. Orange is the mother hen type; maternal, loving, and world-wise. Blue is the ‘It Girl’; strong, knows what she wants, and would be an influencer in modern times. Red is enthusiastic and throws herself into everything she does, sometimes clumsily. Lastly Yellow is well … American, she has come to London to meet (stalk) her true love, Paul McCartney.

As the world around them evolves, so do the women, and their once-trusted advice soon becomes questionable.

“[Agony Aunt] provides age-old wisdom that … starts to become outdated as the roles of women change throughout the decade,” Davenport says.

On stage with the lead actresses is a chorus, a live band, and an incredible set design inspired by the prints and wallpaper of renowned British designer, Mary Quant, one of those credited for miniskirts and hotpants. Her colourful prints perfectly capture the essence of the 1960s, something the Queanbeyan Players wanted to bring to the stage.

“It’s those very geometric shapes, colour against a very stark black background to really make that pop. We’ve got a go-go pod dance space,” Davenport says.

By the end of the play, the women are still the same people at heart, though the audience has watched them change and develop. The story arcs are reflective of the time, with some of the Colours going through personal life changes that wouldn’t have been possible at the turn of the 1950s. The director says a decade can change a lot of things.

“Especially in the most pivotal years from sort of 20 to 30, or 25 to 35, your priorities change. I just think you become more secure in yourself and in what you want, who you want to be and what you’re willing to accept,” she says.

All the characters enter the 1970s expecting more from life, knowing they will continue to grow as the world grows with them. Davenport says the show is two hours of guilt-free escapism, the perfect pick-me-up, and will have you looking up a 1960s playlist to listen to on the way home.

“You will walk out happy, and it is an underrated emotion really.”

Relive the songs and zeitgeist of the 1960s in Downtown: The Mod Musical at Belconnen Community Theatre, 24 February-5 March; queanbeyanplayers.com

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