The Beautiful Game premiered at Chapel Off Chapel on Saturday 14th September 2019 and I for one was not at all disappointed.
Based on Ben Elton’s book, The Beautiful Game, this production is presented with true heart and soul while his song lyrics and dialogue script whilst addressing the socio-politics of time are truthfully hard-hitting as well as funny. This combined with another fantastic Andrew Lloyd Webber score that combines heartfelt ballads and thought evoking numbers with the sounds of Ireland.
Set in Northern Ireland in the troubled 1970s, The Beautiful Game tells the story of the people and the conflict at the time of the “Troubles”. The story is centered on local football team players and friends, who attempt to overcome the emerging political and religious violence that has engulfed their community, with understanding, adolescent love and friendship.
Leading the cast as the character John is Stephen Mahy, who gives a fantastic performance throughout and Stephanie Wall cast as Mary, has an awesome voice and does nothing to disappoint. Sam Ward is also outstanding in his role as Del and Ellie Nunan as Christine has a great stage presence and fantastic voice. Nicola Bowman as the love found love lost Bernadette is also a great young talent with a vocal quality to match. These fine young artists along with the musicals main ensemble with Des Flanagan as Thomas, David Meadows as the football-loving Father O’Donnell, Sophie Loughran as Mary’s counter, the ‘Protestant Girl’, Oscar Tollofsen as Daniel and the unfortunate Ginger performed by Samuel Skuthorp combine to present a great piece of Elton humour and Lloyd-Webber music.
Directed by Karen Jemison, with musical direction by Daniele Buatti and choreographed by Sue-Ellen Shook this production is presented and performed with seamless continuity with cleverly constructed and produced lighting and perfectly faultless sound.
The all-important musicians led by Daniele Buatti, can’t have a musical without them, play you faultlessly through this beautifully produced stage show.
This smartly adapted and extremely well produced and presented stage play of the Ben Elton book, The Beautiful Game, along with his script, song lyrics and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical score made this for me, without a doubt this best musical production I have seen this year.
13-29 September 2019
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
http://www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Pics by Jodie Hutchinson
