CARRIE THE MUSICAL
One of the many technical challenges facing Jay James-Moody, artistic director of Carrie the Musical, involves fake blood and that unforgettable scene at the prom when Carrie gets soaked with it.
“We have to cook up a batch of two to four litres of it at home before each show and have to waterproof the microphone as well as employing techniques that show the force of Carrie’s telekinetic powers,” James-Moody explains.
Carrie is quite dark for a musical; it’s gothic and just a little bit disturbing. Musical theatre aficionados may be aware of the show because of its infamous history, but it’s also for audiences who follow pop culture and cult films.
Originally a Broadway musical in the 80s, Carrie ran for only five official performances and then closed. It is famous for being the biggest theatrical flop of all time. Last year an off-Broadway theatre company picked it up, they re-imagined and revised it and it’s now a chamber piece, a more intimate experience well-suited to the Seymour Centre stage.
This is a modern take on the horror show that has been updated since Stephen King’s book and subsequent film adaptation and deals with contemporary teen issues like cyber bullying. (MS)
Nov 13-30, Seymour Centre, Cleveland St, Chippendale, $34-42, 9351 7944, seymourcentre.com
BY MEL SOMERVILLE
