OBSERVER: All Shook Up


What do you do with teenagers who have too much time on their hands?
Community theatre group Diamond Valley Singers has an answer – you put them in a youth production and get them on stage or behind the scenes.
The latest DVS Youth production is the musical All Shook Up, set over a 24-hour period, during the summer of 1955.
Somewhere in the Midwest in the 1950s, Chad, a hip-swivelling, guitar-playing roustabout is being released from jail – cue the song Jailhouse Rock.
The warden doesn’t appreciate a guy like Chad “ridin’ into town, playin’ his music and excitin’ the locals”.
So into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Featuring classic hits such as ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘Hound Dog’ and many others, All Shook Up is sure to appeal to the inner Elvis Presley in all of us.
Director Scott Patton sounds as keen on the show as his young cast.
“I am excited to be directing All Shook Up DVS.  I have previously performed in Broadway productions with DVS and have now come full circle.  I am really honoured to be moving into a creative role with this wonderful company.” 
As is its tradition, Diamond Valley Singers will donate the proceeds for the show to charity – in this instance the beneficiaries of the youthful cast’s efforts will be International Needs Australia and Open House in Macleod.
Help the eight-season show be a huge hit by buying a ticket to performances that run at Warrandyte High School Theatre, Alexander Rd, Warrandyte, between March 23 and 29. Tickets are available through trybooking.com and for more information visit www.dvsingers.org
Julie Houghton

Pictured: Chad is played by Seth Fiteni.
Natalie is played by Rhiannon Turner.. Photo: Louise Archer