Vaudeville, as a genre of entertainment, is not quite as prominent as it once was. Every show featured a bill of comedians, dancers, magicians, trained animals, acrobats, and minstrels, to say the least! Though the essence and influence of vaudeville can still be seen today, its original form has faded. Underground Productions’ second mainhouse show of 2012, Goodbye Vaudeville Charlie Mudd, explores the end of an era.
Dancing on the edge of wartime, a troupe of vaudevillian performers are suspended in the year 1914. Lead by Charlie Mudd, the haphazard crew gathers together to perform to nobody, save perhaps the odd passer-by who happens to stumble across the eerie ensemble. Newcomer Violet is one such unfortunate, who joins the gang of misfits, only to become trapped in limbo as the performers descend into violent parody. As the fictitious realm of the vaudeville house becomes dangerously intertwined with reality, Violet embarks on a journey to solve the mystery and free the actors from themselves.
The play was written by Melbourne-based playwright Lally Katz in collaboration with original director Chris Kohn. They were commissioned by Malthouse Theatre Company to come up with a brilliant idea, and voila! Don’t miss the Brisbane premier of Goodbye Vaudville Charlie Mudd!