The Gathering

The Gathering is a brand new Australian musical bought to us as part of a double whammy of fantastic theatre from Vic Theatre at Fortyfive Downstairs. This show is a perfect combination of heartwarming and heart wrenching; as the story of six young friends reunite in an old house and their stories and secrets unfold, all told through energetic well delivered and well performed songs and scenes.

Written by Will Hannagan and Belinda Jenkin, The Gathering is set on a stormy summer night in an old house; where Tom (Joel Granger) has reunited a bunch of old friends to party till dawn, just like the old days. The stakes are high as none of the group have spoken for five years after Tom’s mysterious disappearance. The young energetic cast (Joel Granger, Shannen Alyce Quan, Hannah Sullivan McInerny, Daniel Cosgrove, Olivia Charalambous) do great justice to a story that has bits that resonate in all of us; longing for connections that once were, the feeling of being young and not having any idea of what is around the corner, having 1000 questions and no one direct answer and supernatural undertones that have us searching for what we believe in. The musical’s journey takes you from a smile to the end of your seat and all other stops in between.

Industry staple director Chris Parker has done an incredible job bringing authenticity and connection to the story and the acting and the dynamic range the tight 75 minute show explores is unforgettable. Musical director Daniel Puckey and the offstage orchestra wonderfully lead the sweet, poppy-indie music which tells the story without being too cheesy classic over dramatic musical theatre. The group numbers gel, harmonies blend and everyone in the cast has strong, unique voices and moments to shine. I couldn’t take my eyes off Shannen Alyce Quan and Hannah Sullivan McInery’s voice is incredible. Joel Granger carries the story well – the casting is bang on- a cast of talented well rounded individuals who bring a fresh energy to this fresh show.

Designer Daniel Harvey’s design is so aesthetically and cleverly in tune with this production. The set with mismatched carpet, boxes, suitcases and Fortyfive Downstairs’ brick wall and individual costumes are a stellar fit. It’s wonderful in white box theatre spaces like these how they can be transformed from one production to another and design plays a pivotal role in this so Tom Willis’ lighting design cannot go without commendation – it gives an eerie feeling as the plot thickens.

It’s inspirational and exciting to see what fantastic work is being produced in Australia, by Australians. There’s something incredibly rousing about a group of talented people fusing all their skills and working hard to deliver a piece that makes you think, something to your teeth into. It’s modern musical theatre at its simplest, rawest, best. See it, support it, share it.

The Gathering
Fortyfive Downstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Saturday November 26 – Sunday December 11
fortyfivedownstairs.com/wp2016/event/gathering-new-musical/all