Ghost Quartet at Gasworks Melbourne - A Review

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Thu 15 Aug 2019 - Fri 23 Aug 2019

The Antipodes Theatre Company triumphs in its inaugural production, Ghost Quartet, bringing Dave Malloy's lauded off-Broadway musical about death, to life. Melbourne audiences will be enchanted by the New York stylings of Artistic Director, Brandon Pape, and the multi-talented stellar cast: David Butler (Mad World: The Immersive Theatrical Experience), Melissa David (From: New York, For: Him - The Butterfly Club), Patrick Schnur (Twelfth Night - Australian Shakespeare Company), and Willow Sizer (Death of a Demi Diva - Melbourne Cabaret Festival).



Ghost Quartet has been described as a "song cycle" and a "live concept album" that evolved from four friends contemplating the existence of ghosts. The show interweaves recognisable stories with the unfamiliar musings of a myriad of characters over the span of centuries.



The ensemble cast masterfully guides the audience into the light and the dark (quite literally) in unexpected twists and turns in the story, in musical genres, in mood and in setting. The quartet is a study in multi-tasking, delivering the mesmerizing score ("Hero" performed by Melissa David an audience favourite) while playing a cacophony of instruments including the cello, guitars, dulcimer, Celtic harp, erhu, autoharp, piano, keyboards and percussion.



The storytelling is intoxicating and the performances are spell-bounding, stunning the audience by both overwhelming and depriving them of their senses.


At times haunting and disorienting and at other times light-hearted and whimsical, performers and the audience alike find themselves confused, delighted, immersed, transported and questioning until the very end ... and beyond.



Expect the unexpected in this mind-blowing piece (and you might even get to play the cello).



Dates: August 14 to August 23
Where: Melbourne's Gasworks Arts Park Studio . Studio Theatre – Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park

Credits:
Music, Lyrics, and Text: DAVE MALLOY (creator of the hit Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812)
Director & Designer: Brandon Pape
Cast:: David Butler, Melissa David, Patrick Schnur, Willow Sizer
Musical Direction: David Butler
Movement Direction: Madison Lee
Lighting Designer: Adelaide Harney
Sound Designer: Jedd Schaeche
Stage Managers: Jackie Mates, Diane Pereira
Production Manager:Kristy Griffin
Wardrobe Supervisor: Helen Rofe

RUNNING TIME
90 minutes, no interval

TICKETS
Full $42
Concession $35
Group (6 ) $30
Early Bird $30

WARNINGS
Not suitable for children under 16. Contains coarse language, adult themes and loud noises. Strobe is used within the production. One 15 minute sequence will be performed in total darkness.

ACCESS
Wheelchair Accessible

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!date 15/08/2019 -- 23/08/2019
%wnmelbourne