Seussical: Oh the thing we can think, and we were willing to try!
“Anything’s Possible” as the song goes and that was exactly the driving quote for Camden Musical Society’s first major production in March 2021.
Having started the Camden Musical Society four months before the pandemic in 2019, to get a major production launched was ambitious, to say the least. There was a window between the two COVID lockdowns where we had just run our One Night on Broadway and felt confident to audition and start rehearsals for Seussical.
A Dr Seuss musical where Cat in the Hat meets Horton the Elephant and Jo Jo and the Whoville characters, Seussical was bright and bubbly and just what we needed after the year that 2020 had everyone worried about getting too close and out and about in the community.
We rehearsed at Mawarra Public School Hall in Elderslie, where our singing sessions were out in the open air under the musical direction of Sally Quinnel for COVID protection; choreographer Joy Pennock put her skills into action trying to ensure the dancing was COVID safe, and Director, Melissa Musgrave pieced together the crazy storylines with a double cast of outstanding performers, all eager to put on the first significant show of our society. Christina O’Donoghue (Production Manager) and Shona Wallace (Stage Manager) rounded off the management team.
Taking inspiration from production photos from a UK version of Seussical, Melissa wanted levels of staging and lots of colour. The set utilised a platform with two levels of boxes created by Wayne Whitley and his army of volunteer set builders and painters who dedicated hours on scorching weekends to create the magical atmosphere. The colour was a kaleidoscope of LED lighting attached to the boxes that Craig Davidson programmed to provide striking illumination.
We had the “Seussical Box”—an all-things rolling box, fantastic light-up jellyfish umbrellas, and intricate fish headpieces. And who could forget the massive 6-person run octopus in McElliot’s Pool and the Whoville illuminated houses?
Our double cast consisted of two equally exceptional lead performers and ensemble members. There were no weak links in this lot. Their costumes were truly brilliant and a testament to the individuals who made sure they were looking their best for a show that was being funded on a shoestring, something you would never have known.
Camden Council, Hayters Timber, Handprint Photography were some of the key supporters of us for this production. We truly were running on the smell of an oily rag to get our first show on the stage, but we had the will and were able to find a way and as Director of this crazy production, I was so proud and exhilarated to see it all come to life, and for it to set our group up for years to come.
– Melissa Musgrave
