Presented by Mira Ball Productions
Conceived by Salad Bowl Collective
Produced and Directed by Elodie Boal and Trent Sellars
Mira Ball Productions welcomed audiences into a mischievous world where renowned villains from theatre and cinema competed for the title of ultimate evildoer. In this Halloween-themed cabaret filled with unexpected musical twists, the villains got to shine as they've never shone before, merging familiar tunes with imaginative character interpretations in this irresistibly interactive cabaret.
With the lively Beetlejuice as the evening’s ghoulish host, the entire cast delivered universally strong performances, each actor bringing their own flair to their role. It was that clear they all relished the chance to explore these iconic characters. The audience’s enthusiasm was equally high, particularly during the interactive moments. As we entered the theatre, we were each bestowed with a glow stick, our beacon of willingness to be approached by the villains. It added a sprinkle of extra fun to the mix, and those in the front rows were treated to more up-close antics.
From the get-go, it was clear this production team put great effort into transforming iconic songs with clever lyrical changes tailored to each character's backstory and traits. Each villain’s performance displayed excellent musical direction by Georgia and Matt Leigh, and the choreography by Jennifer B Ashley balanced grandeur and campiness to make every movement entertaining.
Beetlejuice (Peter Wood) summoned this cast of notorious characters from beyond the grave to strut their sinister stuff. Leading the group in a rendition of 'Be Prepared'. Wood’s portrayal of the eccentric host was so convincing that they were unrecognisable—nailing the accent and exuding captivating charisma that set the perfect tone for the night. It wasn't until later that night, when I checked the program, that I realised it was them! BJ's constant, witty exchanges with the audience kept the energy high, creating an atmosphere where viewers were invited to be a part of the action rather than mere spectators. The real-time voting system, which determined a unique "winner" for each performance, introduced an exciting element of suspense and diversity to the evening.
As we moved through the “Awakening” and “Battle” acts, the show maintained a dynamic pace, giving each character their spotlight and steadily leading up to the final showdown. The creative team combined storytelling, music, and comedy to maintain a flow that kept the audience engaged without losing momentum in the majority of the performances.
Highlights from Act 1:
Bonnie and Clyde (Lauren Bensted and Sam Caruana) took the audience on a wild ride in 'The World Will Remember Us.' Their act was a whirlwind of flirtation and ferocity, featuring some epic dance moves and vocal chemistry.
Wednesday Addams (Gabby Ayoub) made a striking impression with her zombie-like delivery of 'Pulled', capturing the character’s deadpan, dark humour flawlessly. She delivered an outstanding vocal performance, standing out among the many talented singers of the night.
Captain Hook (Jaya Fisher-Smith) mesmerised the crowd with a lively performance of the 'Hook’s Waltz', capturing both the pirate's allure and wickedness. I couldn't stop laughing and clapping - their portrayal stood out as my top choice of the night! Thanks to their humour, vocal skill, accent, and the fact that they had to hold that hook the entire time. Bravo, Hook!
The Mad Hatter (Cameron Grimmett) delivered a compelling 'I Will Prevail' from Wonderland, a perfect fit for the character’s theatricality. Their whimsical costume and belting out powerful notes made for a wonderfully chaotic presence on stage; not to mention their habit of flinging teabags at everyone in sight.
The Sanderson Sisters (Kelsey Todd, Kennedy Foley, Samantha Sherrin) performed a harmoniously haunting yet playful remix of 'Come Little Children', instantly transporting the audience to the mystical world of Hocus Pocus. A crowd favourite, these three performers were adorned in fabulously elaborate costumes and wigs and had the audience howling with laughter thanks to their impeccable comedic chemistry.
King George III (Beau Wykes) absolutely slayed the audience with their rendition of 'You’ll Be Back', a Hamilton performance that was fit for a king - both regal and downright hilarious.
Cruella De Vil (Antoinette James) commanded the stage with an edgy, modern version of 'Cruella De Vil,' accompanied by Sam and Jaya as her dancing “puppies”. Singing this version by Whitney Avalon must have been challenging, but she absolutely nailed it!
Regina George (Amelie Clark), another standout vocal display, brought a scathing rendition of 'World Burn', embodying the character's mean-girl allure and fierce attitude quite effectively.
Mother Gothel (Meg Kiddle) really took the character's obsession to a whole new level in her rendition of 'Mother Knows Best'. She hilariously fixated on Regina George's golden locks and teased her for her for being daft.
Mrs Wormwood (Madeleine Ford) brought down the house with 'Loud', her vibrant energy and spot-on accent totally nailing Matilda’s notorious stage mom.
As Act 2 opened, the villains mingled with the audience in character, giving the voters a chance to experience the characters up close. The numbers in this act showcased more competitive flair, with characters squaring off to prove their villainy, with creative interpretations of familiar songs.
Highlights from Act 2:
Mother Gothel, Gaston and Regina George faced off in a “ego battle” where Gothel performed 'Evil Like Me', Regina took on 'Bop to the Top', and Gaston (Toby Redwood) humorously tackled 'Popular' from Wicked, a hilarious twist that saw Gaston parodying Glinda with exaggerated flair.
Captain Hook dazzled the audience with his unexpected rendition of 'You’re a Mean One, Mr. Hook', complete with a saucy striptease that revealed gold underwear, fishnets, and heels, causing the crowd to burst into fits of laughter and cheers.
Wednesday Addams delivered a brooding take on 'That’s Your Funeral', aimed at Beetlejuice as she and the Hatter restrained him, adopting Oliver Twist’s morbid wit as her own.
The Sanderson Sisters pulled off an outstanding parody of 'The Schuyler Sisters' from Hamilton, demonstrating impressive vocal synchronisation and stamina.
Mrs Wormwood brought a dazzling touch with her remix of 'Diamonds', aka 'Bubbles' while the Sanderson sisters enjoyed themselves with bubble machines.
King George III sent shockwaves with a daring rendition of 'Sweet Transvestite', channelling Frank-N-Furter in a way only this monarch could.
Cruella took centre stage with 'See My Vest', a cleverly wicked parody of 'Be Our Guest', featuring the ensemble dressed in different outfits to match the lyrics, making it the most memorable group performance of the evening.
Each character retained their unique identity while seamlessly playing off one another, creating interactions that were as engaging as they were unexpected. The ensemble numbers, like 'Hell Block Tango' and 'Master of the House', showcased the cast’s versatility and cohesive energy. The clever lyric modifications tailored to each character gave the audience a fresh lens on these familiar figures, reinterpreting their motives with humour and insight. To cap off the evening, Mrs Wormwood (Madeleine Ford) emerged victorious in the audience-voted competition. She led the company in a version of 'Thriller' for the finale. Her presence was electric, and her comic characterisation made her a deserving winner.
The production team deserves immense credit for transforming the space into an immersive, villainous lair. The costumes, designed by Jackie Fredericksen, and the makeup and hair by Rosie Humphreys were outstanding. The costume creations were a visual treat, from the whimsical to the eerie, each character was dressed in a way that honoured their original persona while draping them in cobwebs. Rosie Humphreys’ makeup and hair design added the finishing touches, giving each villain an air of authenticity that made them truly come alive, particularly Beetlejuice, Mad Matter, Cruella, King George and the Sanderson sisters. Sound designers Mal Boal and Kym Brown, technical designer Jono Harrison, and lighting designer Tony Kerr further enriched the experience with eerie soundscapes, spooky lighting effects, and just the right amount of jump-scares to keep everyone on their toes.
A Night with the Villains offered audiences a rare opportunity to step into the twisted, entertaining, and oddly insightful minds of the most iconic villains. It was a feast for the eyes, ears, and funny bone—a Halloween experience that was both a treat and a thrill! This performance is likely to become a seasonal favourite among Brisbane audiences, celebrating the wicked, the witty, and the wonderfully villainous!
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