Curtain comes down on BTS – for now

“Here’s a return to old-fashioned musical comedy, complete with rousing production numbers and a book meant only to tickle the funny bone. The show has audiences cheering long before the curtain comes down.”

 

“Here’s a return to old-fashioned musical comedy, complete with rousing production numbers and a book meant only to tickle the funny bone. The show has audiences cheering long before the curtain comes down.”

The above quote was one of many rousing reviews when Curtains, the last musical collaboration from legends Kander and Ebb (Chicago and Cabaret), opened on Broadway in 2006.

Now audiences in Sydney’s south-west will get a chance to enjoy this smash hit musical comedy whodunit when Bankstown Theatrical Society’s production opens this Friday, October 8 at Bankstown Town Hall Theatre.

“The premise of the show is based on a series of murders, being investigated in the style of an Agatha Christie thriller. An ‘off-Broadway’ tryout of a musical based on a Wild West version of Robin Hood provides the scene of the crime where there are a number of possible suspects, all with good reason to commit such a heinous offence,” said Curtains Director James Worner.

“The fun begins when the detective in charge of the investigation (who is a musical enthusiast) tries to fix up the badly reviewed Robin Hood musical while solving the murders. The investigation is marked by further casualties that will keep the audience guessing until the final curtain.

“I first saw this show on Broadway a few years ago and loved the humorous script, up-tempo score and sparkling dance sequences. I was struck by the fact that it would be a challenging show for community theatre as it required so many strong principal roles as well as a demanding plot for an energetic ensemble cast. Everyone in the cast gets plenty of time to shine.”

The show features stunning sets created and built by Bob Peet, with a cast featuring a mix of professional, community theatre veterans and newcomers studying the Musical Theatre Course at the Australian Institute of Music.

Maryann Wright is one of those new to the BTS stage and plays leading lady Niki Harris and says the show has something for everyone who loves theatre.

“This show is very much a homage to musicals and why we do them,” she said.

“We are just like the main character, Cioffi, in the show; we all love performing on stage.”

This sentiment is echoed in the rousing Act One number ‘Show People’: “It’s an honour and a joy to be in show business I feel that spotlight hit me and I’m gone At the last curtain call I’m the envy of all So I know the show must.”

The show will also bring down the curtain for Bankstown Theatrical Society at the Bankstown Town Hall for the immediate future.

Council is closing the Town Hall in 2011 for a major renovation which includes proposed changes to the theatre. BTS will move back into the brand new redeveloped Arts Centre at Olympic Parade in 2011.

The venue has undergone a multi-million dollar revamp including a new theatre, rehearsal space and costume department. Shows schedule for 2011 will be announced later in the year.

Curtains runs for 7 performances only from October 8 to 16 at Bankstown Town Hall Theatre. Bookings: (02) 9676 1191. Prices $30/$35