Muriel’s Wedding
(Made at Curve and Global Creatures Co-production in association with Sydney Theatre Company)
Original book by PJ Hogan Music & Lyrics by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall with additional songs by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson (originally written for ABBA) Directed by Simon Phillips.
Curve, Leicester (until Saturday 10th May)
Meet Muriel. Just your average Australian ‘sheila,’ living in the aptly named Porpoise Spit and dreaming of a life beyond the everyday. She has no job, her ‘deadbeat’ family don’t really take an interest in her, and her dad is up to his neck in corruption and infidelity. Is it any wonder that Muriel longs to escape?
Making her Curve debut, Megan Ellis plays Muriel and what an astounding performance she gives. The 1994 film made a star of Toni Collette in the title role, and I had my doubts that anyone could ever live up to that cult performance. Happily, I am proved wrong.
Ellis is simply wonderful. Like a lodestar, she leads and guides the entire production and is truly magnetic. She draws you in to her crazy world and has you rooting for her all the way, even when she is lying, deceiving, and stealing. She is an anti-heroine with a dazzling smile, and mayhem ensues when she runs away to Sydney to begin a new life.
Ellis has strong support from Annabel Marlow as new best friend Rhonda and Laura Medforth gives a beautifully nuanced performance as Muriel’s mum, Betty. Ethan Pascal Peters plays it perfectly as potential love-interest Brice, whilst Stephen Madsen makes Alexander his own, displaying excellent comic timing with just the right amount of emotional depth to prevent his character from being a type rather than a person. In fact, the whole cast is to be commended for its commitment and verve.
Costumes by Gabriela Tylesova are terrific fun, ranging from gaudy beachwear and striking steampunk, to retro-1970s’ glam rock. It’s a feast for the eyes. Hair, Wigs and Make Up Design by Campbell Young Associates deserve a special mention too as they have clearly relished bringing the vision to life.
Set Design (Matt Kinley) is a joy. We segue seamlessly between churches, swim meets, bedrooms and sign shops. Each is designed imaginatively and is enhanced by the creative use of video design (Andrzej Goulding). This version of Muriel’s Wedding has been updated to incorporate mobile phones, social media, ghosting, and the attendant pressures they bring. It is a welcome addition, touching on the zeitgeist.
Audience participation is also a feature of this production with the opportunity to take to the stage as a guest during the show’s wedding ceremony. Following a short pre-show briefing, a select number of ‘Wedding Guests’ are invited on stage by the production team, handed a kazoo and get to see Muriel walk down the aisle from perhaps the best seats in the house, before being escorted back to the auditorium. Tonight’s audience have read the memo, with plenty of suitably attired guests having their own unique moment in the spotlight.
If you love the music of ABBA and fancy seeing a heartwarming show, full of emotional highs and lows, then Muriel’s Wedding is just the ticket. Don’t miss the chance to see Megan Ellis in full flow. She really is a star in the making.
Running Time – 2 hours 45 mins (Including 20-min interval)
Parental guidance is recommended for children under the age of 14
