Performed in the gorgeously ruined Queens Theatre in Adelaide (the cleverly lit crumbling walls of the former theatre were enough – along with a fire and some old clapped-out vehicles - to evoke a society which has chaotically ground to a halt several months after such a worldwide shock), and accompanied expertly by Adelaide’s premiere baroque ensemble Ensemble Galante, this was a really special rendition of this work.
The drama was not entirely on the stage either: during (my) first week of rehearsals South Australia suffered a state-wide power cut during crazy storms! We ploughed through one afternoon rehearsal with no lighting or tea (the horror!) but had to pull the plug on the evening rehearsal for the safety of those trying to travel in. It was a nightmare trying to get out of the city with all the traffic lights out, and gave us plenty of food for thought for our apocalyptic scenarios. Back at home, we then had 16 hours without heat or light and I was coping with my precious 4.5 month old baby. So it was a tough gig! But worth it.
This was a really magical musical and theatrical experience for all of us involved, and three sold out audiences agreed with us.