Presented by the Blue Roo Theatre Company and the Queensland Multicultural Centre, Midnight at the Cemetery was a delightfully eerie and entertaining original production devised and performed by Blue Roo’s inclusive ensemble. This hilarious melodrama invited the audience into a moonlit cemetery, brimming with spooky charm and eccentric characters, for a memorable night of theatrical fun.
The story, written by Sarah Jackson and the Blue Roo ensemble, explored themes of trust, scepticism, and the timeless lesson that “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Directed by Lachlan Driscoll, Oriel Halpin (mentored), and James Loakes (mentored), the production celebrated collaboration and inclusion, bringing together a diverse cast of performers who shone in their roles.
We were warmly introduced to the company and given a glimpse into the unique accessibility features of the show. With Auslan interpretation provided by Deaf Connect, audio description by Vivien Whittle, and dialogue projected on the back wall, every effort was made to ensure the production was inclusive and engaging for all.
The cast of eight brought immense energy and charm to the stage. Benjamin Cox as Mystic Zoltan-the scam artist, opened the show with a lively back-and-forth alongside Stephanie Collas as Kelsey. Ben Halpin’s Mr Grumbles-the grave digger, had wonderful comedic timing, while Sarah Johnson’s Not Igor and James Loakes’ Doctor Twizzle made a wonderfully dynamic duo. Sarah’s understated delivery was a perfect contrast to her zinger lines, and James’ exaggerated expressions, especially during a moment of terror when he cried out for his mummy, had the audience in stitches.
Matt Southgate as Nick oozed attitude, practically rolling his eyes in every scene, while Cameron East as the Mummy brought a delightfully spooky charm. Brigid Coote as Mrs Twizzle kept appearing and making everyone laugh with her adorable offering of tea. The choreography by Maureen Bowra was showcased beautifully in the ensemble’s energetic performance of “Monster Mash,” which was a definite crowd-pleaser. The costumes, designed by Catherine McNaught, were both spooky and detailed.
What stood out most was the cast’s camaraderie and enthusiasm. Despite the challenges of memorising lines, blocking, and staying in character, the performers excelled, occasionally leaning on improvisation and gentle prompting in a way that felt seamless. The humour and joy radiating from the stage were infectious, and the audience responded with cheers and laughter.
The Q&A session following the performance offered a heartwarming glimpse into the cast’s experiences. They spoke about how performing has boosted their confidence, improved their social skills, and allowed them to thrive as a team. One performer shared how theatre had even helped her with their stutter, highlighting the transformative power of the arts.
Blue Roo Theatre Company continues to provide life-changing opportunities for performers with disabilities, fostering creativity, confidence, and connection. This talented ensemble will be back in 2025 with theatre programs in Paddington and Kingaroy, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what they create next!
Photo Credit: Creative Futures Photography
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