Simply elegant

I went to see a small little cabaret piece called "Happy Chaps" this weekend.

It's on as a part of the gay & lesbian festival -- but turns out it's also enjoyable by straight people too!

A little cabaret celebrating the gay characters and composers of contemporary musical theatre -- it was 45 minutes long, and had 8 people -- 8 chairs, 4 mics, and a simple stand and deliver approach.

It was produced and directed by my good friend Sunayan Devanesan on a shoestring budget, and thrown together in a week (2 rehearsals). And it was the best thing I've seen in months. Resting solely on the talents of the 8 performers, in a very [Title of Show] moment (who says 8 chairs and a keyboard can't make a musical?), these guys sold it. It reminded me of stuff that I used to see at BATS theatre in Wellington's "Theatre District". Small theatre, small production, small budget, all talent.

Darryn Gatt was the stand out for me, who performed the phone call song from Bare (I don't know it's name...maybe "see me"). He made my heart break, and my girlfriend cry.

Plus, in another eat-my-words moment, the only ensemble number was the baseball song from Falsetto's, which I had, only weeks earlier, told Sunayan that I wasn't keen on having it in Evolutions, because I thought it was a large paper bag of 2 week old dog shit. And, turns out, that the little black bastard is right again, and that the baseball song is GREAT!

"We're sitting, and watching Marty watch Jason
We're watching Marty watch Jason,
We're watching Marty watch
Who did not like baseball, like baseball."

Anyway -- this Happy Chaps thing is on for one more weekend, next weekend at Gasworks theatre. It's only $15, and on next Friday and Saturday night. Book online via this link

And it's really bloody good.