Australia’s first and only Sondheim repertory company Watch This, make their Chapel Off Chapel debut this September with a reimagined production of the classic Broadway musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – featuring a world-first all-female-identifying cast.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.
A nonstop laugh fest in which Pseudolus struggles to win the hand of a beautiful courtesan named Philia for his master, Hero, in exchange for freedom from enslavement. A fast-paced, witty, irreverent farce, it is considered one of the funniest musicals ever written.
After the critically acclaimed production of Into the Woods director Melanie Hillman, choreographer Amy Zhangwith, Music Director Trevor Jones, Set Designer Sarah Tulloch and Lighting Designer Rob Sowinski reunite with Assistant Director Bobbie-Jean Henning and Costume Designer Jemima Johnston joining the creative team.
“I genuinely hope that audiences leave the theatre with a sore belly from laughing! But also, an appreciation of Sondheim’s craft and artistry, as well as an introduction, or reminder, of the joy of the Vaudeville Farce,” says director, Melanie Hillman.
“I hope they see that women can be funny, and that feminine beauty and charisma comes in all different sizes, ages, and colours. And that you can have more than one middle-aged woman on a stage in this country.”
Featuring an all-female cast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum includes Charmaine Gorman (Pseudolus/Prologus Act 1), Milo Hartill (Hero), Jacqui Hoy (Hysterium), Mel O’Brien (Philia), Sophie Weiss (Domina), Luisa Scrofani (Miles Gloriosus), Cathy Woodhouse (Senex), Sarahlouise Younger (Marcus Lycus), Judith Roberts (Erronius) and Kristie Nguy (All the ensemble including Courtesans).
Renowned for their fresh and innovative interpretation of Sondheim’s works in intimate spaces, Watch This will surprise audiences with their ground-breaking approach to this 1962 Tony Award winner.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 9 – 24 September 2023 (previews: 8 – 9 September)
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.watchthis.net.au for details.
Image: (top: l – r) Charmaine Gorman, Milo Hartill, Jacqui Hoy, Mel O’Brien and Sophie Weiss | (bottom: l – r) Luisa Scrofani, Cathy Woodhouse, Sarahlouise Younger, Judith Roberts and Kristie Nguy – courtesy of Watch This