Laughs at being dumped!
MUSICAL REVIEW: It’s easy to laugh at the heartache of being dumped when you see Dumped! The Musical, set around a meeting of Dumpees’ Anonymous, where the women bare their souls.
With minimal props on the stage of the Athenaeum Theatre, it is left to the acting, singing and dancing talents of Amanda Levy, Emma Powell and Mandi Lodge to carry the show as they relive their heartbreaking experiences to group facilitator Harmony (played by Jennifer Vuletic).
While the act of being dumped in a relationship may seem somewhat limiting on which to base a two-hour show, through humour, clever lyrics, character development and some surprising plot twists, it proves to be entertaining, even for the men in the audience.
The three dumpees are Vera (Levy), a no-nonsense corporate stockbroker dressed in her trademark black. She has a tough exterior with a love for the martial arts. Levy also has a delightful cameo as the owner of a Chinese restaurant grappling with the English language. And watch out for her cartwheel on centre stage!
Sharon is a woman in her late 30s who was dumped before she had time to have a baby, while Sue is a housewife who was dumped after 35 years of marriage.
Trying to help the women through their personal crises is Harmony, a hippie type with a calm exterior that hides her own problems, not the least of which is a sign-writer she employed who cannot spell.
There are plenty of catchy songs, with titles such as Sweet Revenge, Not Responsible, Turn Back Now and I Will Survive, some of them set to well- known numbers.
There are some surprises in store as a member of the audience is called up to join the action, and the elusive sign-writing tradesman finally turns up for the job. And the stalking scene turns into an amusing highlight.
Dumped! The Musical is the brainchild of Powell, who has created an energetic and engaging show that is easy to sit back and enjoy. Like Motherhood The Musical, it primarily appeals to women.
Dumped! The Musical is at the Athenaeum Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne until September 25.
REVIEWED by Danny Gocs
PHOTO: Dumped! The Musical stars (from left) Amanda Levy, Emma Powell, Mandi Lodge and Jennifer Vuletic.
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