now! - blue roo theatre

In the lead up to their appearance at the 2017 Commonwealth Games, the Blue Roo Theatre Company have wrapped their annual performance at the Judith Wright Centre. The troupe closed out the 2016 season with the super-serious Opera Queensland collaboration of the tragic tale of Orpheus & Eurydice, and so opted to entertain their 2017 audience with a variety-styled gala penned and devised by the performers themselves.
 
The Now! festivities were launched by Blue Roo favourite, Caitlin, who led the opening ensemble in a vocal piece to get the bagpipes a piping. Now! gave the Roos an opportunity to showcase their comedic nous with an all dancing, all singing extravaganza. It’s hard to pick favourites however, impressive performances from: Nicole in a Tick Tock rap who had the house cheering, Liam and Ben at the Bus Stop delivered cracking Shakespeare with ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow”, orated by Liam, and Ben responding with As You Like It, 'All The World's a Stage'. And Nick’s humourous reflection on falling in love with The Sound of Music was utterly joyful.
 
The show was woven together by a news studio mock-up hosted by Maggie Moment (Bridget) and Tony Today (Brendon) who deliver a pun-filled introduction to each sketch. Such delights as Moreton Bay, a fishing story with Daniel at the helm. The crew, Daniel, Marisa, Joel, Emily, Laura and David are stranded, and sinking; well-trained comedic timing on the part of Daniel and Laura, sees them hitting their mark as the ensemble tries to think and cheer their way out of sinking.
 
A Flashmob busts up the silence with an energetic sequence; the embodiment of energy, a rocking soundtrack for this performance adding an edge but perhaps the most sensational moment in the show was the transformation of Nick Thorly into Rosie Rhubarb, the sparkling social commentator who delights us with her Hollywood Happenings. With all the fun and frivolity well received, the show winds up with a touching tribute to Carlos, a cornerstone of the Blue Roo family who passed away last year and is sorely missed by the team. A piper plays You’re the Voice, by John Farnham and we are left to contemplate such wonderful images of Carlos at his performing best. A true gift for all in attendance.
 
As always, Blue Roo take you in for an hour long show and return you to the world a little better off than when you handed in your ticket stub. A journey into the bleachers that never disappoints.