by Holly Champion, 4 August 2018. Three out of five stars ***
The Sydney-based director-composer duo Coco Grainger and Ludwig van Distortion (a stage name to end all stage names!) have now, trading as the bootstrapped Distortion Forever Productions, created and staged their third original musical in less than two years. My hat is off to them. This an incredible feat, especially given Sydney’s ragingly expensive cost of living and the resulting few hours that are left each week after earning one’s keep, for making (non-commercial) art.
This time Distortion Forever are presenting the über-intellectual and often very funny new show TYRANNO, at the Erskineville Town Hall. I have seen all three of their shows, including the two productions of their debut, the Aussie Christmas musical Somewhere Else Today. It is interesting to chart their progression. I note that the vocal writing is becoming much more voice-friendly and the staging is becoming more assured. Despite my longing for a real band and conductor, all four productions so far have been accompanied by pre-recorded accompaniment that seems to have been synthesised in Finale or Sibelius. (Blame the cost of living.)
Overall, it has to be said that I am not so keen on TYRANNO as I am on the other two shows, even though the concept is if anything, more interesting. I have to make the disclaimer at the outset here that I am friends or acquaintances with several of the cast and creative team, which makes the criticisms I have to make all the more difficult to write. The show has many good points, however, and plenty of potential. You can see a trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP4L4PnbPS0
