[title of show]  [title of show] is “a music­al about two guys writ­ing a music­al about two guys writ­ing a music­al”. First per­formed in 2004 it was nom­in­ated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Show in 2008. Energy Theatre have giv­en it a lively NZ premiere.

There’s a table to one side of the stage which is lit dur­ing the scene changes as an answer phone mes­sage plays. Larry the pian­ist (Hay­den Taylor, also music­al dir­ect­or) is on the oppos­ite side of the stage. There are four chairs for the sing­ers.   Oth­er­wise the large space is bare.  Dir­ect­or Tabitha Arthur and dance coach Sam McLeod make great use of the space. They send the sing­ers to oppos­ite sides of the stage, right down to the front and up to the back. Light­ing (by John Mahan) accen­tu­ates the nar­rat­ive. The sing­ers wear simple cos­tumes with great little details – badges and brace­lets. (Cos­tumes by Louisa Pater­son.)

Wil­li­am Duig­nan and Waylon Edwards play the two men (Hunter and Jeff) writ­ing a music­al. Duig­nan has a light voice which can be too quiet at some points. His phys­ic­al­ity is good – when he slumps in frus­tra­tion I know exactly what he means.  Edwards has a stronger voice and is nicely under­stated.  (Although, I’m afraid I had a giggle fit dur­ing one of his poses in Die Vam­pire Die.)  Sarah Andrews Reyn­olds and MaryL­ouise Thomas play the two friends (Susan and Heidi) roped in to help cre­ate the show. Andrews Reyn­olds has a real belt­ing voice which she com­bines with fant­ast­ic phys­ic­al com­edy. Thomas’s voice is sweeter and she’s par­tic­u­larly lovely dur­ing her solo. Taylor is almost hid­den in the dark but he provides some great com­ic moments. They work well as an ensemble.

Hil­ari­ous music­al fun.