Reality bites in a new true blue Aussie musical
After many years working in the film and television industry, Ian McFadyen has come back home to musical comedy.
Reality – A Musical was an accidental project. A decade ago someone asked me if I would like to write a stage show about home renovations. Odd as that sounds, I actually thought a musical centred on the Australian home was not a bad topic.
Before venturing into prime-time television in the late ’80s, I had spent 15 years writing, directing and acting in theatrical productions in Melbourne. Over the period I wrote 10 musical comedies, sometimes just writing the book and lyrics, often the music as well.
The idea of going back to musical theatre excited me so, for a show opener, I wrote an anthem to the classic Australian suburban home with its big garage, fruit trees and yards front and back. It was called Our True-Blue Australian Home.
I never heard from the people again.
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At the same time, I became aware that many Reality TV shows – the detested genre that put an entire generation of television creatives out of business – were based on teams, or families renovating houses, even entire blocks.
Of course, these shows were not really about nailing and plastering, but the conflicts, dramas, aspirations, meltdowns and final triumphs that the contestants experienced over the course of the series.
What was remarkable was just how many people were willing to take part in these shows in the hope of becoming media personalities. Andy Warhol’s prediction about everybody in the future being famous for 15 minutes was coming true. Or rather, people vying with each other to become famous even for a few weeks.
Gradually, the scenes and songs assembled in my mind. Two families, happy but struggling a bit. A television network looking for a new angle. Their inspiration: to pit two sets of neighbours against each other in a renovation competition; re-editing the video to make it look like the couples are not only at odds with their neighbours but with each other as well.
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The producers also rope their teenage children – a girl and a boy – into being an online influencer and a singing star.
It sounds serious but it’s a comedy, albeit one that does become rather sad towards the end. But that’s part of the standard formula. We have to get sad so we can have a happy ending. And who rescues the two couples from almost divorcing? Their kids, of course.
Rhonda Davidson-Irwin, a choir director, flautist and mentor, has been one of the most significant contributors to musical culture in Brisbane. She has also worked as musical director for many stage musicals. I pitched Reality to her two years ago. She liked the songs and recommended me to the Redcliffe Musical Society, who brought in some of their actors to do a read-through. The table-read went well.
The next step was to get the songs arranged orchestrally. Rhonda put me in touch with a brilliant young composer and arranger Taylee Jurikie-Rofe, who transformed my simple piano scores into Hollywood-level orchestrations.
Now, under the direction of Madeleine Johns, who has staged more than 40 musicals – and after many alterations, inclusions and improvements – the production is only days away from its short premiere/special preview at Redcliffe Entertainment Centre.
It’s Neighbours meets The Block in this true blue, brand new, Aussie musical.
Reality – A Musical plays Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, Downs St, Redcliffe, September 8-9.
redcliffeentertainmentcentre.com.au/Events/REALITY
Ian McFadyen is a writer and director who has written for theatre, radio, film and television. He has also written a series of novels and won two Logie Awards for the sketch comedy series The Comedy Company.
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