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A new freeway and a new production = modern times
for Frankston
16th July 2008
By Michael Butler
A new
production and a new road make the quality musicals from PLOS even
more accessible than ever. This TP correspondent was keen to find
out just what we can expect from PLOS and Thoroughly Modern Millie,
and who better to get the spin from than director Craig Wiltshire
and leading lady Jess Barlow.
TP: So guys
what makes Thoroughly Modern Millie such a great musical?
Craig:
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a real crowd pleaser. It really has a
bit of everything, great music, over the top characters, a clever
script and room for some really accomplished performances. If you
walk out of a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and haven't had
an entertaining night then the Director has done something wrong.
The show is really a musical comedy gem, easily one of the best to
come along in a while.
Jess: It’s
also very clever and I had no idea it was so funny. The songs are
written brilliantly and the orchestrations are fabulous as we heard
from the sitzprobe the other night. Most of all, I LOVE the quirky
characters! Millie is an absolute dream role and all of the
characters are brought to life in hilarious fashion, thanks to a
wonderful director and script to work from.
 TP:
Craig what has it taken for your Millie vision to come to come to
life?
Craig: It has
taken a lot of hard work and discipline from so many people. It's
very hard when you have a show the size of Millie. You have to make
sure that the entire production team, cast and committee understand
the scale and complexities of the show. There have been some trying
times and tedious technical rehearsals on the set but everything is
in place. It has been an enormous workload for me because I'm in
rehearsal for 'Hot Shoe Shuffle' for CLOC for this October. Having
two shows on the go at once is pretty exhausting.
TP: What can
we expect from the PLOS season?
Jess:
Everything and more. Huge beautiful revolving sets, AMAZING new
costumes and a cast that literally jump off the stage. We are just
dying to perform to an audience and can't wait for the show to open.
This show is larger then life and was from the word go. There are so
many breathtaking aspects of it but all will be revealed once you're
sitting in the theatre and the curtain goes up!
TP: How have
you found your Millie experience so far?
Craig: All
productions have their challenges but this presented it own unique
challenges because of the scale of the show. We have big stage to
fill at the Frankston Arts Centre but we will be filling it. I've
really enjoyed working with Alberto Salvato our Set Designer and
Vicky Horne our Costume Designer. They have had enormous work loads
with this show. The set is the biggest I have ever had in one of my
shows and the technical complexities involved with some of the set
changes go way beyond anything I've tried to do before. Vicky
Horne's costume design is stunning. She is the best Costume Designer
around Melbourne when it comes to this sort of show. She has
practically sewn every costume in the show, they look incredible. It
is worth paying for a ticket just to see the opening number – it is
beautiful.
 TP:
Jess what is it that you like about Millie Dillmount?
Jess: Hmmm, I
like her because she's funny, romantic and she's the ultimate
dreamer. She does what SHE wants to do (most of the time). She's
also very energetic and has helped me get into shape. I love the
fact that she had the guts and determination to leave her family
home in the country and make the life that she wanted in New York,
you have gotta love guts and determination, hence the relevance and
power behind "Gimme Gimme". She's confident and straight forward and
I love that!
TP:
Are Millie and Jess similar or different?
Jess: I think
we are actually too similar! I've been told by many cast members
that Millie and I are very alike, which I take as a compliment! We
are both very clumsy and funny, (usually at inappropriate times). We
both have an off beat sense of humor and like Millie, I too am a
dreamer. I identify with her because we are both quite honest and a
bit silly and zany but also have tendencies to get caught up in
hectic and dramatic situations. Millie has made me very happy.
TP: Any
highlights - songs/moments/characters?
Craig: There
are so many highlights in our version of Millie. Jess Barlow carries
the show from beginning to end. She has great comic timing and sings
up a storm – wait till you see Gimme Gimme. She is the perfect
Millie. Peter Stanbrook gives the most amazing interpretation of
Trevor Grayden, it's great to see him perform a comedic character.
He will have you in stitches. Some of my favourite songs in the show
would have to Speed Test and Nuttycracker. I've been lucky over the
last few years that I've had really strong dancing and this show is
no exception. They're awesome.
Jess: Well how
can you not love Gimme Gimme, it’s the biggest song I've ever sung
that’s for sure! I happen to absolutely adore the speed test (there
are some very funny moments in there)and find "Falling in Love with
Someone" which is Trevor (Peter Stanbrook) and Miss Dorothy's
(Lauren Selway) song hilarious. I'm supposed to be frozen in
character and I keep sniggering at what Peter is doing
 TP:
Craig how has your cast taken to the challenge of Millie?
Craig: The
cast has had to work very hard during the rehearsal period. I expect
a huge amount of discipline and commitment from all my casts. I like
to push them as far as possible to get the best out of them. They
have definitely risen to the challenge. We have had a few sick cast
members and a change over of male ensemble members but they're
excited to be so close to opening night.
TP: Finally
Jess, how has your first Frankston experience been?
Jess: I have
adored my time at PLOS and I mean every word of that. It’s a true
"family" feel with a wonderful committee and cast that have made me
feel so incredibly at home and welcome. I have had the experience of
a lifetime in Frankston and will be back for more!
So there we
have it, be sure to sign up for your Eastlink Breeze pass and head
on down to the Frankston Art Centre for what is sure to be another
great show from the award wining team at PLOS.
Performances:
Saturday 19 July – 8:00pm
Sunday 20 July – 2:00pm
Monday 21 July – 8:00pm
Tuesday 22 July – 8:00pm
Wednesday 23 July – 8:00pm
Thursday 24 July – 8:00pm
Friday 25 July – 8:00pm
Saturday 26 July – 2:00pm
TICKET BOOKINGS - 9784 1060 |