Music-hall magic in Lilydale

By Kath Gannaway
“WELCOME to this cavern of conviviality, this emporium of Edwardian myth, wit and, above all, entertainment,” are the welcoming words of Chris McKenna.
When Chris, the chairman, walks onto the stage and articulates this flamboyant invitation, you know you’re in for a great night of music hall entertainment.
Promac Productions’ Australian tour of ‘The Magical Music Hall’ will conclude with three performances at The historic Athenaeum Theatre in Lilydale in July.
The show recreates the great days of the music hall era – 1890 to 1910: “Not to be confused with vaudeville,” said Mr McKenna.
Set at The Players Theatre Leeds in 1895 the audience is taken on a trip back in time to the ‘good old days’ of the traditional music hall – the chairman in his box with the gavel, the ladies in crinolines and men in their top hats, white ties and tails.
The show is packed with all the wonderful music hall and parlour songs of the era, as well as the ever-popular ‘fruity melodrama’, where the villain is booed and hissed and the hero cheered with gusto by the audience.
Performed by the talented Gaslight Company – Chris McKenna, Michelle Fitzmaurice, Cheryl Darvidis and musical director, Adrian Kirk, with guest performer, Brian Hannan, ‘The Magical Music Hall’ is great, uncomplicated fun.
For lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan, Mr McKenna said Brian Hannan, well-known by Athenaeum audiences for his sell-out performances in Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, will slip in a little bit of ‘A Policeman’s Lot’ from Pirates.
Mr McKenna said that after an outstanding Australian tour, the company was looking forward to performing to Lilydale audiences.
“As producer, I specifically chose to finish the tour at the Athenaeum,” he said.
“Apart from Her Majesty’s in Ballarat and the Theatre Royal in Hobart, there is no theatre which is more appropriate to do music hall in than the Athenaeum in Lilydale. We just love it.”
‘The Magical Music Hall’ will start with a morning session at 11am on Thursday, 13 July, with evening performances on Friday, 14 and Saturday, 15, July at 8.30pm.
To book, phone the Athenaeum on 9735 1777 or a.t.c@bigpond .net.au on email.