Director: Ella Veitch
Musical Director: Ye-Gon Ryoo
Choreographer: Rachael Bloemendal
Producer: Bold Theatre
The Meteor, 23-31 August 2024
In 2023, Bold Theatre ran a “Dragon’s Tank” whereby local creatives could pitch their ideas for production in 2024. Charlotte and Kyle Chuen with Ray Powell were astonished at the number of pitches they received from plays to full blown musicals, individual to collaborative projects, and the calibre of applicants. Ultimately Bold Theatre selected Be More Chill with Ella Veitch at the helm as director. Veitch was joined by Ye-Gon Ryoo as Musical Director and Rachael Bloemendal as Choreographer for Bold's second production of the year.
Be More Chill is a hilarious sci-fi musical less than a decade old based on a book only 20 years old. Social outcast Jeremy Heere is desperate to be popular at his high school so takes a pill that allows a nano-computer to be implanted into his brain. The Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor (SQUIP) aids Jeremy in becoming chill in the eyes of his peers but in doing so his relationships with his father and best friend Michael begin to suffer.
Ever reliable and multi-talented performer Zac Clarke was the perfect choice for the role of Jeremy. As Clarke finishes up his final year of study at Te Kawau Toi, Wintec he has balanced his tertiary education with a myriad of roles. Clarke was utterly convincing as unpopular Jeremy with appropriate awkwardness, poor posture, and lack of confidence. Clarke’s vocal abilities matched his technical acting chops, and he shone in the role.
Jonty Climo as The SQUIP was superb. From the moment Climo entered, he was captivating. Often found directing or as a musical director, Climo proved that he has the skills to also nail onstage roles. Clarke and Climo were a fantastic duo and both were faultless.
Across the cast, there were some fantastic performances including Georgia Willats as Chloe Valentine, Eckard Becker as Rich Goranski, and Brianna Haddock as Brooke Hohst. Kate Scotting was entertaining as the wacky love interest Christine, and Harrie Marshall as Michael got to showcase a great voice and believable vulnerability.
Tracey Wilson’s costume design was bright and cheerful. The Halloween scene was a visual delight. Wilson has the knowledge and resources to dress any cast and she added texture and shapes that made the wardrobe pop.
Choreographer Rachael Bloemendal is becoming known for her entertaining routines. Under Bloemendal’s keen eye, the cast were confident and well-rehearsed with some of the best spacing I have seen in a long time. Even when travelling across the set or moving into different formations, the cast worked in splendid unison.
Ye-Gon Ryoo conducted and played in a band of eight that was unfortunately hidden stage left. The band was so tight that audiences must be forgiven if they think the cast were using backing tracks. Hats off to both recorder players, you made them sound super cool.
Ella Veitch has taken every opportunity afforded to her over the past few years and has excelled. It is no secret that her work ethic is inspiring and that she goes into every project whole-heartedly. Aside from directing, Veitch designed a functional and versatile set that complimented Courteney Mayall’s appealing props (shoutout to the t-shirts) and Guy Coker's interesting and futuristic lighting design. If Be More Chill is at the outset of Veitch’s directorial career, imagine to what heights she will soar with the opportunity to develop in this space.
I absolutely believe in the next generation of Kirikiriroa’s practitioners and performers, and after seeing Be More Chill I am elated that Bold Theatre does too.
Photo: Mark Hamilton
Comments