Rehearsals under way for latest Benalla Theatre Company production — The Drowsy Chaperone

By Simon Ruppert

Mar 19, 2023

Ready to perform: The cast of Benalla Theatre Company's *The Drowsy Chaperone* have started rehearsals. Photo by Contributed

Rehearsals are underway for Benalla Theatre Company’s hilarious 2023 musical The Drowsy Chaperone.

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Director Molly Craig said she was very pleased with the way the cast had come together.

“It’s wonderful to have a mix of new people, people returning after a few years, and of course our group of BTC stalwarts involved in the production,” Ms Craig said.

“They are working together so well and having lots of laughs.”

The musical is told through the eyes of Man in Chair (Stephen Winkler), who takes the audience on a journey through his favourite musical, The Drowsy Chaperone.

As the record starts to play the show, set in the 1920s, comes alive.

The guests are arriving for the wedding of starlet Janet Van De Graff (Jacqui Creamer) and oil tycoon Robert Martin (Lachlan McNair).

The guests include Janet’s chaperone (Linda Simpson) and Robert’s best man George (Adam McCulloch).

But not everyone is happy for the wedding to go ahead. Feldzieg (Jim Tullberg), producer of Janet’s films, doesn’t want to lose his leading lady, nor do the gangsters (Molly Craig and Lana Kleesh) who work for a certain individual who finances the pictures.

There is mayhem and mirth as the audience waits to find out whether the wedding will go ahead or not.

This very funny musical will be at BPACC for seven performances over two weekends from June 16 to 24. Tickets will be on sale soon.