BUTCH MASTERS:

The Alex Theatre was filled to capacity for the world premiere of Butch Masters: Man of Destiny. Introduced by Kiwi songwriter and composer Jamie Burgess, the man who penned the book, music and lyrics and brought this wonderful production to life. Respect! He also introduced a representative of the principal sponsor of the show, Monash IVF. With sperm donation at an all-time low, your help is needed, so individuals and couples can realise their dreams. If you want to find out more about sperm donation or would like to help out and donate, check out Monash IVF's webpage where you can fill out an enquiry form, or phone them on 1800 628 533. Butch Masters is the answer to the prayers of the 3 fag-hags' (Female Appreciation Guild) who want to restore balance to a world that has turned gay. A heterosexual born into a gay world and raised by his adoptive mother Lucretia Smears MD, he's caught kissing Pussy, with whom he's in love. Embarrassed and outed by his best friend Trunch, he runs away to the fag-hags. He manages to stir a revolution among the heterosexuals around the globe due to his popularity. Add to the mix a villain, a murder plot, betrayal, an Asian dominatrix, an Extractula and so much more, and you have a heady mix of fun, mayhem and a colourful musical-cumedy. If you're expecting every moment of this show to make sense, it won't. Don't even try and work out why Butch has an American accent or why one of the characters, Randy has magical powers. There's not enough time to explain everything even though the show is 2.5 hours long, inclusive of an interval. Just sit back, enjoy the ride and be uplifted by this piece of well-produced musical theatre that fulfils what it sets out to do. Entertain. The show has not been compromised by skimping on cast members or production. It's a pretty good out-put, and a whole lot of hard work, no doubt, for a small season. It's colourful, it's fun, it's funny, with a lot of cleverly transparent innuendos, and it's a joy to inhale. Costume choices were fun and perfect for the show, especially the Asian dominatrix. Loved her shoes! The set design was minimal, but the folding panels sufficed on such a small stage with a huge cast dancing and singing their way through the production. Sound had a few teething issues in the beginning, but only for a few minutes, which was a bit distracting, but settled down close enough to perfection for the rest of the show. Lighting is what made my heart sing as it was visually stunning. Kudos to lighting designer Jason Bovaird of Moving Light Productions who enhanced and supported the acting, story-telling and every move of the fun choreography and direction, giving it the impact it required in any given scene. It was definitely more than satisfying. It was downright brilliant. Never a dull moment on stage. The actors were well-schooled by choreographer Jason Teasdale. No one fell down or fell off the stage. As if the magnitude of so much to like was not enough, there were some superb vocals, the fag-hags themselves (Natasha York, Belinda Hanne-Reid and Natasha Guzel) singing some great harmonies. Trunch (Justin Clausen) astounds and surprises with the song 'Cold Hard Love'. It makes you sit up and take notice. I thought Butch's mum Dr. Lucretia Smears (Amanda Buckley) also had outstanding vocals, and you can't really fault the rest of the cast with their singing and dancing or the casting. It was all rather joyous to experience. Saving the best for last, I particularly enjoyed the Asian dominatrix Mitzi (Eden Swan) who fascinated me with her accent, her performance and her portrayal of her underlying desires, controlled, contained, yet occasionally seeping out just a little that sends out a subtle message of the erupting volcano within. Now that's a performance, and she makes you laugh! I urge everyone not to miss it, for to do so, you'd be doing yourself an injustice.