Zanna, Don't!

Editorial

30 January to 14 February, 2009
Wed – Sat, 8pm, Sun, 5pm
Mon 9 February, 8pm
Fri 13 & Sat 14 February, 7.30pm & 10pm

It's hard to imagine a world without fag hags, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Will and Grace. And what if sequins were de rigueur for men's outfits and chicks were the ones who went nuts over power tools?

In this chaotic hypothetical, everyone's gay and heterosexuals are society's maligned. Zanna is the local matchmaker who decides to champion the issue of heterosexuality in the annual school musical - which sounds great in theory, but when a boy and girl dare to fall for each other it exacerbates tensions and phobias within the tight-knit community.

Leaping from the barriers at breakneck speed, this loved-up musical almost buckles under the energy and wit in the first half of the performance. Its beatific enthusiasm is palpable, and the set sparkles both literally and figuratively with a cast that tackles its songs and dances with zealous gusto.

The second half seems to lack momentum - perhaps only relative to the dynamism of the first - though the audience members barely seem to mind. As colourful as the cast, they dutifully play their role as an incredibly appreciative claque and actively embrace this refreshingly vibrant performance.

While it ultimately conveys a serious message, the manner in which this award-winning musical goes about it is anything but. This is one piece of theatre you definitely Don't! want to miss.

Penny Wedesweiler (30 January viewing)