Perth audiences got to witness the conception of a brand new musical last night. Man Up! The Musical, written by Robert Dale and directed by Drew Anthony, is men’s answer to Menopause The Musical.
And this testosterone filled production is hilariously funny, poignant, thought provoking and most importantly might just help save a life or two! The show is not scared to address all the hang ups and fears lurking in men’s brains, and no subject is off limits. It covers everything from anxiety over the size of the family jewels to men’s mental health.
With a cast that covers four generations, the script is able to explore and examine the thoughts, feelings and ideals of various topics across the ages. In doing so it enables these differences to be a bonding experience rather than a fracturing one. Despite the age differences these men, they become friends who genuinely care for one another.
Four men meet at a bar. Brad (Ethan Battle) is a young man starting out on the journey of manhood, while Terry (Chris Gerrish) is a man at the other end of the journey. Jim (Jamie Rolton) and barman Stan (Jamie Papanicolaou), fit in the middle of the manhood journey.
These four men have a great rapport on stage and manage to convince the audience that after meeting at a bar and sharing their stories, they can become friends who actually care about each other.
Topics such as premature ejaculation and prostate health are treated with side splitting hilarity. Giant pointed fingers dance across the stage as the men encourage Terry and remind the audience of the importance of a rectum prostate exam.
On a side note: while very funny the prostate test today is a simple blood test. And who knows it could have encouraged one man in the audience to have the test.
Choreography, by Jamie and Suzi Rolton, is clever and adds to the hilarity of the show.
As a first draft, Man Up! The Musical has a lot to offer. The character of Terry is well written and developed. The audience gets a sense of who Terry is as a man and what has shaped him along his journey.
I look forward to future productions as the other characters back stories are developed and fleshed out. Their stories are there. They now just need a greater voice within the production.
The body is an ever-changing organism and just as Menopause The Musical brought to light the plight of women as they age, Man Up! The Musical manages to do the same. It manages to speak to young men entering manhood to those reaching the end.
It’s a show that is full of hope. It has the potential to open up conversations that need to be started. Addressing men’s health and the loss of young lives.
Man Up! The Musical needs to be fast tracked to the professional circuit so it can reach audiences young and old and possibly help save lives.
As Drew Anthony introduced the show he explained the performance was really a trial’ to see if they as creatives have something worthwhile pursuing? And after seeing the production and witnessing the audience reaction, the answer is a resounding, YES!
Man Up! The Musical
Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge (Perth)
Performance: Friday 1 August 2025
Season continues to 2 August 2025
Information and Bookings: www.drewanthonycreative.com.au
Images: Ethan Battle, Chris Gerrish, Jamie Papanicolaou and Jamie Rolton in Man Up! The Musical – photo by Amanda Humphreys | Jamie Rolton, Chris Gerrish and Jamie Papanicolaou in Man Up! The Musical – photo by Amanda Humphreys
Review: Craig Dalglish