Book by Rob Robson
Music by Gary Wong Lyrics by Rob Robson & Gary Wong “In Your Dreams” a STUNNING SUCCESS here and overseas! The release of Castabout’s exciting romantic musical comedy based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", was met with an incredible response in Australia, as well as overseas. In its first 3 years, 40 productions of “Dreams” were mounted, all to rave reviews. Synopsis/Notes Set in a modern day high school and written primarily in modern English, In Your Dreams builds on and pushes the thematic envelope of Shakespeare's original work, becoming a "rites of passage" story for modern adolescence with a strong underlying theme of the environment and its importance in all our futures, but with all the original play's merry mayhem intact! It follows the tribulations of star-crossed lovers who defiantly escape to the forest adjacent to the school grounds when their desires to partner their “true love” to the annual debutante ball are denied. Their fates become unwittingly entangled in a conflict between two warring “feral” spirits whose normal role is to care for, and keep harmony in, the natural world. Add to this the “buffoons” of the school drama class who have ventured into the forest to rehearse their play for the debutante ball, and the recipe for chaos and confusion is complete, with hilarious and magical consequences. Robson’s smooth and snappy script is primarily modern language, but all the sung roles of the “feral” spirits borrow generously from Shakespeare. This, in concert with Wong's brilliantly constructed score and world class orchestrations by WAAPA’S Graeme Lyall (M.Mus), provides the genius of the bard exposure to a whole new audience.
Reviews “The work comes across as young and fresh, in the vein of "Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat". The music is very accessible and with songs like “Helen”, and “You’re a star”, Wong’s talent is obvious.” Peter Pinne, leading American theatre magazine, SHOW MUSIC. "This show should become part of the repertoire of high schools throughout Australia. A fun, contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer!" Review of Downlands College production, Toowoomba QLD. "People mentioned that they heard bits of Superstar and Cats and other musicals in the score. I just adored it and so did our kids - and suddenly they all love Shakespeare!!". Sue Hurst - Director, Mount Austin High, NSW. |