THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS – THE MUSICAL!

A parody of musicals in the form of a musical. It may not be a novel idea but the genre lends itself to self-deprecating humour when done well and this production is, mostly. The plot is simple – almost as simple as ingénue June can’t pay the rent and has to dance and sing her way to a solution, five times. Corn in the style of Rodgers and Hammerstein (Oklahoma, The Sound of Music) is the weakest caricature with an elaborate but unimaginative dream sequence featuring the annoyingly repetitive song Oh, What Beautiful Corn. But the laughs quickly pick up with A Little Complex á la Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd). Welcome to the Woods is written and sung to comedic perfection and the complex feels like Melrose Place gone psycho. Replete with a slutty dance sequence, the other stand out is Speakeasy in the style of Kander and Ebb which closely lampoons Cabaret. Dear Abby in the style of Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly and Aspects of Juanita spoofing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and Phantom of the Opera are predictable but still draw laughs from a very supportive audience. Special mention goes to accompanying pianist Mark Chamberlain, whose dexterity was well-matched with the fast paced satire. For an enjoyable evening, go with a big group with some knowledge of the musical genre and is not afraid to make some noise.

Until May 29, Parade Theatres, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington, $45-55, 1300 795 012, triptychtheatre.com.au