Presented by Phoenix Theatre Inc. and Dark Psychic Productions at the Phoenix Theatre, within the Memorial Hall, 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill; this lively two-hour musical, with almost two dozen number, starts at 8.00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 26^th September. There is a matinee on Sunday 20^th September at 2.00 pm.

All funds raised from the programme and raffle sales each night will be donated to Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA and the Perth Zombie Walk.

     It is Prom night in the 1950s at the Enrico Fermi High. The class heartthrob, Jonny (Oliver Kaiser) is a bit of a rogue. He was called Johnny, until the ‘H’ dropped off the back of his leather jacket. He falls for Toffee (Kathryn McCarthy) and gives her his treasured jacket as a love token. The miserable Principal, Miss Strict (Bethsaida Tapsall), who seems to have a big chip on her shoulder, supervises the Prom. The Prom ends and the janitor (Pat McMahon) cleans up the mess.

     Toffee’s mother (Emma Muller) and father (Daniel Rooney) know of Jonny’s reputation and so ban their meeting again. Furious, Jonny rides off to the local nuclear power plant and commits suicide by throwing himself into the nuclear dump. Months later, Jonny returns as a green, glowing Zombie, repulsing all who knew him.

     The local press are looking for a story and find Jonny. TV reporter Eddie Flagrante (Glenn Scott) does an exposé. On hearing this, Miss Strict threatens Toffee that she must never bring Jonny to a school celebration again. However, Toffee’s friends, Candy (Megan Kerr), Ginger (Jayde Clark) and Coco (Gabrielle Guidone) try to console her. The schoolboys in the group, Jake (Karl Smith), Joey (John Gray) and Josh (Luke Williams) are of course pleased to see Toffee back on the ‘available’ list.

     The TV station has the ‘phones running hot, with the secretaries (Ruby Reye, Maggie Meyer) working overtime. Singer, Ramona Merengue (Sara Urban) is finishing her TV show, as the Motorwise Dancers (Kate Searle, Charlotte Williams, Jasmine Glenister, and Bernadette Ward) finish their routine. As the announcer (Jessica Sullivan) tells of some breaking news, the TV’s floor manager (Ebony Uetake) shows in a special guest.

     Will Jonny find a new love? Why is Miss Strict so miserable? What will happen at the next Prom?

The lively ensemble comprised Noah Slater-Gauci, Nichola Balestri, Jacob Spinks, Sarah-Rose Kelly, Aiden Mellor, and Daniel Muller.

The lighting design (Kate Lloyd, Alex Coutts-Smith) was exceptional, with the new LED lamps being used to their full potential. The musical numbers had numerous lighting changes in time with the beat, coupled with various pattern effects. The smooth sound design and operation was by David Hardie.

With massive casts, the entrances and exits often result in a line building up to get off stage and into the wings, this time the cast were quick, slick and did not impede the set changes.

There were a couple of fun numbers, ‘Rules, Regulations and Respect’ that had a particularly good, complicated dance routine (choreographer Kate Lloyd), and the saucy number ‘Exposé’ which brought a smile.

Once again the director is the wildly adventurous, Ryan S McNally, who with his regular team of Musical Director, Maree Andersen and Choreographer, Kate Lloyd has given us a wonderfully colourful, dynamic show. The story lines are a bit thin, although there a couple of twists at the end, however, the singers and dancers put every drop of enthusiasm and strength into their well-rehearsed performances.

Sheryl Gale and Alison Kovacs created the bright and colourful 1950s costumes, designed by Ryan S. McNally, especially for the show.

This review relates to the final rehearsal, which was admirable and flawless.

Despite the title, there is no gore or horror in this show, and so it is suitable for all of the family. Full of energetic, sparkling songs and good fun.

This ‘Psycho’-like play, although a bit grizzly only has the violence inferred. It is being presented by the very successful Dark Psychic Productions at the Phoenix Theatre, Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall at 435, Carrington Street in Hamilton Hill. The 90-minute performances are at 8.00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until Friday 5^th June, with a 2.00 pm matinee on Sunday 31^st May and another on Saturday 6^th June.

Generously, the proceeds of the raffle and programme sales go to the Autism Association of WA.

On the stage is Walter’s apartment, part of a block of flats. It is scruffy and typical of a young man’s pied-à-terre (designed and built by Wayne Gale and Pat McMahon).

In front of the stage, on the floor of the auditorium, is a very well furnished, chic café with several gingham-clothed tables and a main serving counter. The abundance of first-rate props and original artworks were supplied by Emma Muller, Alison Kovacs and Ryan S McNally.

       Nervous and introverted Walter (Zachary Inglis, excellent) is a busboy – a catering worker who has all of the jobs too dirty for a waitress – working at the chic beatnik café, ‘The Yellow Door’. The café is managed by Leonard (Glenn Scott) and aided by his two capable waitresses, Carla (Maree Andersen) and Sylvia (Bethsaida Tapsall).

      Pacing around the coffee shop, wearing a yellow beret and reading from a book of his latest poetry is Maxwell (Daniel Rooney). In a dark corner is a suspicious character, Al (John Grey) who is whispering on the public ‘phone to his partner Lou (Adrian Archer). A couple of hippies, dreadlocked Will (Sean Drill) and his more refined friend, Buddy (Kane Anamwong) are smoking a joint and plotting their next crime.

       One day, on his way to work, Walter meets his landlady, the interfering and annoying Mrs Swickert (Devetta Ridgwell) who is looking for her lost cat.

      At the café, Walter asks Leonard if he can exhibit his artworks; within minutes, Mr Hughes, a local millionaire (Pat McMahon) enters with his gold-digging wife (Kate Lloyd), who immediately falls in love with Walter’s new masterpiece and must buy it. With the promise of an exhibition, the now famous Walter has attracted the attentions of both the voluptuous Alice (Kayti Murphy) and the local, influential art critic (Ryan S. McNally).

      Will Walter’s career bloom? For which work will he become most famous?

Following on their success with Mitch Brian’s horror/comedies, ‘Maul of the Dead’ and ‘Sorority House’, Dark Psychic Productions’ have chosen yet another of Brian’s creepy tales. The play has been described as a comedy noir, but I am not too sure about the term ‘comedy’. The experienced director, Shaun Griffin and his most capable assistant (directing for the first time) Alison Kovacs, have gathered their regular, skilled troupe of actors. This is a very unusual play, but the cast have bonded well, and created a chilling atmosphere. The acting was well up to standard, but some of the entrances and exits although well planned, were a little slow; however, I saw the final rehearsal and have full faith that this will correct itself.

From arriving at the theatre, it becomes very obvious that the ‘Yellow Door Café’ theme is being carried throughout the show. The colour scheme of rich canary yellow and black is carried through the entrance hall artworks, to the furniture, props and the many costumes. Ryan S McNally has created some wonderful costumes in the colours.

Assistant director, Alison, is also the stage manager for this large cast. Alex Coutts-Smith’s lighting design works very well, although at times a little less light could enhance the mood. His lighting is operated by Daniel Muller, with brother Brett Muller operating the sound.

This weird thriller will appeal to the Dark Psychic Productions fans, but with only a few shows you will have to get in quickly. PS don’t smile at Walter!