Bronwyn Fullerton

LITTLE ORPHAN TRASHLEY

Comic mayhem in LITTLE ORPHAN TRASHLEY. Pic Prudence Upton

The writing team of Trevor Ashley and Phil Scott have created a new and raunchy underground ‘adults only Panto, fresh off the heels of their previously successful FAT SWAN.

The Studio at the Sydney Opera House has been transformed into a comfortable cabaret setting with an effective, minimalist set by James Browne.

Director Craig Ilott has presented a sharp, funny and irreverent show with an exceptional cast of talented singers and actors.

The story, based loosely on ANNIE with Dickensian themes, and suitable in-jokes, opens with Tina Jackson’s and Coral Mercer-Jones’s gleeful song as the orphans of the Sutherland Shire Girls’ Orphanage. They also play other wonderful supporting roles.

Enter the drunken “Miss Trannigan” (Rhonda Burchmore), who rocks the audience with her evil and hilarious, vodka-swigging character, reminiscent of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS’s Patsy. Rhonda’s other memorable character is the evil talk-back radio personality, “Ellen Jones”.

Enter the protagonist, the fabulous, engaging Trevor Ashley. Ashley plays ten year old orphan “Frannie”, who arrives at the orphanage with a terrible secret. She adopts a trusty ex-sniffer dog, the lusty and degenerate “Bullshit”, played exquisitely by Rhys Bobridge, a formidable dancer, assisted by choreographer Cameron Mitchell.

Gary Sweet makes a grand entrance as multi-millionaire and lewd photographer, “Daddy Warhorse” and strides the boards with grace and humour.

The opening night audience never stopped laughing and their willing audience participation helped to make LITTLE ORPHAN TRASHLEY an extremely enjoyable show.

Craig Ilott’s production of LITTLE ORPHAN TRASHLEY opened at the Studio, Sydney Opera House on Thursday 6th December and runs until Sunday 23rd December, 2012

© Bronwyn Fullerton

10th December, 2012

Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- LITTLE ORPHAN TRASHLEY, The Studio Sydney Opera House, Trevor Ashley, Phil Scott, James Browne, Craig Ilott, Tina Jackson, Coral Mercer-Jones, Rhonda Burchmore, Rhys Bobridge, Cameron Mitchell, Gary Sweet, Prudence Upton, Sydney Arts Guide, Brownwyn Fullerton

Published by Bronwyn Fullerton

Bronwyn Fullerton worked as an actress and singer for over 20 years after training with Hayes Gordon at The Ensemble Theatre Studios in Sydney in the 70s. She has worked for The Ensemble Theatre, Stables Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Theatre-in-Education touring, Rocks Theatre at The Sailor’s Home, Balmain Loft, North Coast Theatre Co., Giniby Theatre Co., Bondi Pavilion Theatre and two years with the Marionette Theatre of Australia, including a tour from Alice Springs to Arnhem Land. As well as Film and Television (Chopper Squad) and Voice Overs, Bronwyn worked for the Gate Theatre Club in London and studied mime in Paris. She now teaches ESL English to foreign students and completed a Post-Grad in Film & Video at UTS in 2009/10.