| “Reminded Me of ‘Operation Mincemeat” and Look Where That Ended Up" |
The Emu War |
| Pearl Whirl Productions , Pleasance Courtyard- Pleasance Two , August 24, 2024 |
The description read: “We follow six characters caught up in the battle. Get your tail feathers ready for some dancing birds, catchy tunes and a bonza tale of human futility. This is The Emu War! Get your tail feathers ready for some dancing birds, catchy tunes and laughter! Inspired by true events of the Great Emu War of 1932, our comedy musical follows the Australian government's futile attempts to fight some mischievous emus… “This is the Bristol-based, half-Welsh cast’s debut at Cabaret. Helo! The Emu War has already been featured by Playbill as one of their top international pics for the Fringe – if that and dancing emus can’t convince you to come along, we don’t know what will.” * * * * From Broadway Baby: “The story is rife for mockery, and the cast do it brilliantly. Tom Brace-Jenkins and Violet Morris as protagonists Steve and Greg play the confused Australian farmer perfectly, baffled by the actions of the increasingly insane Sir George Pierce, Minister for Defence (Lotte Pearl) and Major Merideth (Lili Mohammad). This all supported by the two excellent Emu’s and Ensemble Members Ellie Spooner and Spike Maxwell’s, whose Emus are both hilarious and weirdly enchanting to watch. “This score that supports it is every bit as absurd, from an upbeat number on how the government can always help, to a villain song about how every Emu must be wiped from the face of this earth, to a romance between me and Emu (yes really). “...What is truly surprising however, is the heart this musical also contains, with Brace-Jenkins’ struggles with shell-shock after Gallipoli and laments over his lost love William being incredibly moving.” * * * * From Musical Theatre Review: "Writer Lotte Pearl (music, lyrics and book) together with Toby Little (music) have shaped this potentially serious subject into a fun, comedic musical. Their emotive messaging not only expounds about the futility of any type of conflict but subtly brings contemporary discussions about conservation, ecology, environment, mental health and LBGTQ+ rights into a story – set in 1932 – without detracting from the historical facts. “Utilising sock puppets who pop up like mini Audrey IIs in the most unlikely of places is resourceful ingenuity and Spike Maxwell’s expressive and witty choreography provides the puppets with their own wicked personalities. “The cast comprising Pearl and Maxwell, as well as Lili Mohammad, Ellie Spooner, Alyssa Thabisile Sibanda, Tom Brace-Jenkins and Violet Morris supported by musician Tyler Pringle, is phenomenal.” * * * * From The British Theatre Guide: “Aidan Toombs’s set design features a dilapidated wooden farmhouse on the edge of the outback where the farmers try to eke out a basic living growing crops, but they have a problem: the pesky emus are eating their produce. “...All of the cast perform with panache, energy and so much enthusiasm. They are extremely accomplished singers, creating beautiful harmonies and performing ballads, romantic duets with haunting melodies and rousing ensemble work with aplomb. “There is a charming and poignant gay subplot that is particularly moving and even may bring a tear to your eye. “Then there is the clever puppetry: sock puppet emus who have a life of their own and interact with the humans. “Inventively directed by Jessie Milton, who has captured the playfulness and tomfoolery of the story, and with imposing choreography by Spike Maxwell, this fast-paced, highly enjoyable production oozes exuberance and should not be missed.” * * * * From Theatre Weekly: “As funny as it is that there was an unsuccessful Australian military operation fighting emus, it isn’t necessarily the first story you think of to adapt into a musical. But The Emu War: A New Musical takes this silly historical trivia and turns it into a funny, quirky tale about love, war, and wheat. “Our heroes are Greg and Steve, two World War One veterans trying to run a farm in the Australian outback, but emus keep eating their wheat. Greg writes to the Australian government asking for help (and some automatic weapons), and against the odds, the Minister of Defence accepts. Soon Greg and Steve find the Australian military on their farm engaged in bloody combat with these seemingly unstoppable emus. But amid the futile carnage, Greg and Steve wonder if this is what they really want. “...But who really steals the show is Lotte Pearl as the extravagantly evil character, who has fun playing someone who becomes all-consumed with a hatred of emus.” * * * * From the Quintessential Review: “...Lotte Pearl has crafted a splendid new show, richly comic, mad as a box of frogs, and rather touching. Toby Little’s memorable score holds the promise of what could be if this gorgeous little show is expanded. “...Greg and Steve, two farming buddies, and Gallipoli survivors, face emu-facilitated armageddon of their vital wheat crops. They make the mistake of writing to the government for help: because they get it. Cue the appearance of Secretary of Defence Sir George Pearce, and his military side-kick, the trigger-happy Major Meredith. Early confidence turns to despair as the Emu’s outlast their supply of bullets. Faced with existential crises, Sir George loses his mind, while Meredith decides to join the enemy (yes, the emus.) “...The comedy is laugh-out-loud funny, whether it’s Steve’s well-timed ‘What’s? when bemused by the spiralling situation, or due to an invasion of very sassy emus.” “...Utterly entertaining and genuinely original, ‘The Emu War’ must be one of the musical theatre events of this year’s Fringe.” * * * * Audience reactions read: “A really fun show with touching moments and some hilarious lines.. “A bizarre concept for a musical but boy it works! This was so funny and charming with an excellent cast. The songs, singing and dancing were all first rate. It reminded me a little bit of ‘Operation Mincemeat’ and look where that ended up. For me, this show is what the Fringe is all about. “This was an energised, fun and light-hearted musical. The cast are talented and vocally brilliant.” One of the best things I saw this year.” “By far my favourite show at the fringe! This show is a must-see, with something for the whole family. The music is both fresh and well structured, which is complemented by the extraordinary voices of each cast member, giving the performance a truly unique sound. It was refreshing to watch a musical that sounded a little different than the rest. The cast put on a spectacular and polished performance that kept the audience thoroughly engaged from beginning to end. The choreography and direction was superb and executed with finesse adding to the show's quirky charm. This is a production not to be missed at the Fringe—it will make you both laugh and cry.” “Bravo to the cast and creatives of this show! Wonderfully written script executed by actors with a great comedic timing, a beautiful score that was both well paced and touching sung by some of the best voices in musical theatre I have heard in a long time.“ * * * * Extracts with thanks and acknowledgement from source: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/emu-war-a-new-musical |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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