The Beryls 'Cattle Call' MICF - Review

The Beryls 'Cattle Call' MICF - Review

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Posted 2023-04-01 by Fiona Andersonfollow

Thu 30 Mar 2023 - Sun 09 Apr 2023

The Beryls 'Cattle Call' (MICF) - Review

Welcome to Schlumpsville, the hometown of Victoria Beauvoir (Patrick Dwyer) and Roger Seahorse (Laura Trenerry). Roger has written a play, and Victoria is to be the star. However, there are another 72 roles to be filled, and that's where the audience comes in. That's right, the 'Cattle' in 'Cattle Call', is actually you and your fellow audience members! If you're unfamiliar with the term, it means 'an open audition for parts in a play or film'.



It's not quite as menacing as it sounds though, as the audience participation is actually quite limited. Yes, someone is chosen to be the leading male, Dreynden, the Swan Prince. And yes, that may involve participating in a dying swan scene!



In between 'auditions', there is spirited banter between Roger and Victoria, as well as the odd creative spat over the direction of the play. Each performer provides a musical interlude also. And in an unexpected twist, it seems Roger may have found true love.

This summary doesn't capture at all just how uproariously FUNNY this show is. Roger and Victoria are fabulous characters; Roger is the intense foil to Victoria's over the top glamour. The writing is brilliant, the show is sharp, unpredictable, edgy and highly entertaining. It's no surprise to learn this duo won an Adelaide Fringe 'Pick of the Week' Award earlier this year.



As well as Roger and Victoria, be prepared for some guest performers to pop in for an 'audition'. 'The Bee Jays' (aka The Travelling Sisters ) performed a very clever and funny musical spoof of the Bee Gees for their 'audition', and were instantly offered roles in the play.



I haven't laughed so much in ages! I was literally in tears I was laughing so hard. I highly recommend putting Cattle Call on your MICF 'must see' list.

Cattle Call continues at The Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, until Sunday 9 April.

Session times are:

Saturday 1 April: 7.45pm
Sunday 2 April: 6.45pm
Tuesday 4 April - Saturday 8 April: 7.45pm
Sunday 9 April: 6.45pm.
(No show Monday 3 April.)

Ticket prices are:

Standard: $35
Concession: $32
Group 4 : $28.

Click here for tickets.

The running time is 60 minutes (no interval). Parental guidance is recommended. Contains coarse language (swearing).

The images in this article were taken by the writer.

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!date 30/03/2023 -- 09/04/2023
%wnmelbourne
148828 - 2023-06-14 02:16:34

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