The Point of Light at The Butterfly Club - Review

The Point of Light at The Butterfly Club - Review

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Posted 2016-06-02 by Fiona Andersonfollow

Tue 31 May 2016 - Sun 05 Jun 2016

Amberly Cull, the performer behind this amazing one-woman show, is jaw-droppingly talented, and that shone through from her first song. I found myself sitting in The Butterfly Club , looking around at the small audience, and wondering why the heck Amberly wasn't performing in some major musical. Perhaps it's by choice that she is performing this quirky, unique puppet show - The Point of Light - instead of taking a lead or major support role in a bigger production. But such is her potential that surely she is a star in the making.



Not only does Amberly sing like an angel, she somehow manages to perform almost single-handedly what's described as a 'full-scale musical miniaturised'. When I say 'almost single-handedly', she is very capably supported by pianist Greg Lavell, who also wrote the original score. There is also a support person who hands puppets and props to Amberly throughout the show; alas I don't know his name and can't properly give him credit, but suffice to say, he ensures the performance runs like a well-oiled machine.

In The Point of Light, we learn of the mythical tale of Gerda as it is related to a young boy by his father (both played by Amberly). Gerda has the monumental task of saving her entire town by embarking on a dangerous journey to the eye of a huge storm. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters.



All up, Amberly brings to life 20 characters. She is as much a part of the show as the puppets; this is not a 'puppet on a string' type show, it is Amberly hand holding the characters and props to tell the story. We learn along the way that she is proficient in using different accents, and somehow manages not to get confused as she swaps and changes between the various characters.

Her background in improv also comes in handy at one point - when a light that is meant to come on fails to do so. But that was a small glitch in an otherwise masterful production.

Amberly seems to genuinely be having fun during the performance, and that lightness shines through.



Sold out for its premiere performance in Perth, The Point of Light has received award nominations. It is an innovative, creative and original one hour of entertainment packed with pathos, humour and whimsy.



The Point of Light is playing at The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne, at 8.30pm each night until Sunday 5th June. Click here to buy your tickets online, or call The Butterfly Club on (03) 9663 8107.

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!date 31/05/2016 -- 05/06/2016
%wnmelbourne
126347 - 2023-06-13 03:13:41

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