OBSERVER: Trio of Showtimes
Many would not know that the eastern side of Melbourne is home to three of Victorian Scouting and Guiding’s vibrant showcases titled Showtime.
It has been the season where some 350 budding young thespians have hit the stage to perform their original works to the general community and to their peer groups.
Why review the three very local Showtimes? Because they have gone under the radar as far as community theatre is concerned. Showtimes are no ordinary performances. All three are inspired by the long-running Melbourne Gang Show, each spending up to a year in conceptual writing, musical compositions, vocal renditions, choreography and rehearsing and then performing in professional theatres. No mean feat considering all are volunteers.
So first to strut the boards in August at The Round, Nunawading was Camberwell Showtime with its beginnings in 1965.
Camberwell looked to quantity with some 160 cast rather than quality, although there were times there was a connection to the theme of Riffs ‘N Roadblocks. Often the band overwhelmed the cast, who were not helped with head mike failures.
A younger Showtime now in its 40th year is South Metro Showtime, where a group of enthusiastic leaders started SMS against odds in creating the opportunity for young people to gain confidence on stage, self-esteem and learning technical aspects of theatre performance. Their season offering the computer theme of Control+ Alt+ Defeat, was well received.
Last to perform this year’s season was the friendly rival to Camberwell, that of Whitehorse Showtime also starting in 1965, while performing on line during COVID has just completed their 61st performance at The Round Theatre. Limiting quantity, they exuded quality with the cast of 89, uniformity of choreography, a well devised set and visuals, value scripting, appropriately themed costumes and with many clear vocals gave us The Cosmic Chronicles. All complimented by a well-balanced band of over twenty members.
How does one rank these – Whitehorse Showtime just ahead of the other two by using the criteria of quality and not quantity, with each Showtime showing their community what can be achieved by harnessing the energy and creativeness of hundreds of young people today.
Review by Graeme McCoubrie