Combine flapper dresses, a hilarious script and some stellar tap-dancing routines and you’ve got the perfect musical, according to Wollongong performer Allegra Wilson.
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The long-time dancer and musical theatre star has turned her hat to directing, taking her second stint behind the scenes to oversee the Arcadians Theatre Group’s latest production, Thoroughly Modern Millie.
After successfully directing a season of musical Company in 2012, Wilson knew she was ready for a bigger challenge – and Millie was the perfect vehicle.
“It was the first musical I ever performed in – it was a school production,” she said.
“I played Mrs Meers and ever since then it’s been my favourite musical; it’s what really lit my passion for musical theatre.”
Based on the 1967 film of the same name, the Tony award-winning show tells the story of Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York in 1922 to marry for money, instead of love.
She soon becomes embroiled in the “flapper lifestyle”. But problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China.
Cue one-liners, a zany plot and some classic comedy pastiche.
“The humour is just fantastic, it’s a very funny show,” Wilson said.
“It’s great because it’s perfect for people who might not be that into theatre – you can just sit, enjoy and not have to think too much; it’s just a bit of fun”.
The Arcadians production features a cast of 40, including Lauren Thrift as Millie and Anne-Marie Fanning as Mrs Meers.
Wilson said many of Millie’s costumes had been created specifically for the show and were direct replicas of outfits from the film.
“I’ve been so lucky to have such a great costume team in Ricky Milne, Alexis McCaughtrie and Robert Manzini,” she said.
“They’ve made so many costumes from scratch, which is quite rare for a production like this and they’re designed from the original film so they’ve got that real ’20s look”.
Wilson has also had help from her mother and choreographer Linda Shaw, who she describes as her “saviour”.
“A lot of people have said to me ‘how do you go working with your mum?’ but she’s been so good,” she said.
“She’s my best friend and she’s just helped me so much, she’s gone above and beyond.”
But is Wilson considering permanently swapping her dance shoes for a director’s cap?
“Um, no, I don’t think so,” Wilson laughed.
“I love directing and it’s taught me so much about myself as a person but I’ll always be a performer. It’s really reminded me why I love performing and being on stage.”
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Miner’s Lamp Theatre, Corrimal
Friday to December 6
Tickets: arcadians.org.au or 4284 8348
