If you are on the lookout for East Gippsland’s biggest, most enjoyable musical theatre extravaganza of 2024, then look no further – we’ve found it for you. Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Company (BPLTC), the region’s undisputed leading producer of musicals, dramas and comedies will be bringing the timeless Cole Porter musical Anything Goes to the stage of the Forge Theatre in May, for a strictly limited season.
Set aboard a luxury line travelling from New York to London in the 1930s, Anything Goes is a non-stop parade of Cole Porter hits and outstanding dance numbers, including some show-stopping tap routines featuring a huge all-singing, all-dancing cast.
Long-time performer and director Beverley Campbell will be at the helm of this latest version, assisted by up-and-coming director and lighting whizz, Haylee Treasure, along with veteran choreographer Jan Pianta, well-known and respected musical director Serena Jefferis, BPLTC’s resident choral director Rebekah Axe, and master set-builder Peter Martignoles. They are promising a show to remember.
Beverley Campbell has lost track of how many shows she has directed or appeared in locally since the 19602 – but it’s a lot. She said “Every show is special, but I dare say this is one of the biggest and best cast and crew we’ve assembled. There are simply too many to name individually, but suffice to say, there’s not a weak link anywhere”.
Assistant Director Haylee Treasure is equally enthusiastic. She said, “I’ve worked on a number of musicals and plays for BPLTC and on a scale of one to 10 on the fun scale, I reckon this could be an 11”.
Rehearsals for Anything Goes have already started, with the principal cast beginning the gruelling task of ‘blocking’ all the on-stage moves, while dancers and singers lock in the big production numbers that made the show a huge hit on Broadway and in the West End.
In all, nearly 40 performers will take to the stage – possibly the largest cast of any BPLTC show to date – as well as 17 musicians in the pit.
Among the familiar faces in the cast will be Michaela Keddie (Rizzo in 2022’s ) as good-time girl Reno, Kyle Mandy (Dewey Finn in School of Rock, last May) as the lovelorn Billy, Robert Leggett (who has starred in more shows than anyone can count) as the hilarious Moonface Martin, and Kerri Fleet (another star of many shows) as the not-so-dumb blond Erma. Supporting them will be a raft of experienced actors, both familiar and new to local audiences, including Susan Hawton, AJ Manuell, David Cubley and Time Carter.
Anything Goes opens on Friday May 3, 2024 for a 10 show season. Bookings will open in early 2024 but keep up to date through the BPLTC website , Facebook page or on Instagram.