Flat Earthers: The Musical - Hayes Theatre Co & Griffin Theatre (NSW)
Book & Lyrics Jean Tong & Lou Wall. Songwriting Lou Wall & James Gales. Music Production James Gales
A truly unique (Flat? Curved?) world premiere that is unapologetic in its queerness and absurdity, featuring award-worthy video and lighting design
Reviewed by Justin Clarke
Hayes Theatre, Potts Point
Until 9th November, 2024
In a technologically modern Romeo and Juliet love story, Ria (Shannen Alyce Quan) and Flick (Manali Datar) meet online after a heated online debate on the forum Debunkers where Ria and friend Heather (Milo Hartill) call out the conspiracists of the world. The two swiftly develop an online romance that very quickly becomes complicated when Flick reveals herself to be a Flat Earther living in a bunker somewhere in Perth. Their IRL romance seems already doomed.
Flat Earthers, Debunkers and The Illuminati are at the absurd centre of this new queer, technologically heavy production from the zany minds of Lou Wall, Jean Tong and James Gales. To even begin to describe the insanity in writing is a challenge in itself, because Flat Earthers: The Musical is one that is best seen to be fully appreciated.
Direction by Declan Greene deserves an award for the sheer ability to wrangle the many plot strands and storylines that take place against an Act 1 set that consists of intense choreography (Fetu Taku) in collaboration with jaw-dropping video design (Xanthe Dobbie) and lighting (Brockman). Those who are familiar with Wall’s catalogue of shows (That One Time I Joined The Illuminati, Lousical the Musical, The Bisexual’s Lament) will recognise their DNA that is embedded into the overall video design that turns the Hayes Theatre into a meme-filled online world of pop-culture references, cameos and disdain for boomers.
Flat Earthers: The Musical - Hayes Theatre (2024). Images by John McRae
The three creatives, Tong, Wall and Gales combine their minds to create a production that is guaranteed to be unlike any you’ve seen before. References to musicals feature in lyrics and costumes (Emma White), from Hamilton, to Hadestown, and Heathers, all three of whose inspiration can be found throughout. Under the one-person musical direction of Jude Perl, the music of Flat Earthers ranges from pop-esque rap, to musical duets, and powerhouse ballads, all the while intertwining with an incredibly risky but never restrained premise.
Alyce Quan and Datar make a believable coupling onstage from their initial online romance, to their struggle to reconcile each other’s (literal) world views. Alyce Quan continues to prove why they are the current “it performer” of the Australian music scene as she delivers soaring tunes in a continuously grounded performance. Datar too shines in her Act 2 ballad, her ability to pull puppy dog eyes will melt the heart of any would-be critic of the show’s premise amidst her beautiful riffs.
It’s safe to say that [Michelle] Brasier’s performance is a showstopper.
Zarif and Hartill provide a cavalcade of characters that bounce between the highs and lows of the plot, from online Debunkers to actual Bunkers and hooded, pineapple slushy sipping Illuminati. Their chemistry is a highlight.
It’s not until the end of Act 1 that the powerhouse presence of Michelle Brasier enters, literally expanding the stage as she does. If you weren’t already familiar with her name, she will be your new obsession after witnessing her villainous Ms. Prizm. The creatives give Brasier plenty of room to play from her initial entrance of ‘Illuminati Party’ as the head of the hidden Illuminati. Brasier is never one to be contained; soaring soprano highs give way to growling alto belts amidst a smattering of improvisation that gives the show its most memorable moments. It’s safe to say that Brasier’s performance is a showstopper.
In the same vein that The Book of Mormon poked fun at Mormonism, whilst also uplifting the Mormon faith and colourful people within it, Flat Earthers doesn’t seek to condemn, instead choosing to explore the crux of why these communities come together. It fights to do this however against the sensory overload of the show’s technical aspects with its deeper messaging sometimes becoming lost in the void.
Flat Earthers is unapologetic in its Australiania references, queerness and utter absurdity.
The first Act’s online world feels correctly two dimensional, but makes the performance - ironically- flat. The expansion of the set in the second act allows for Brockman’s sharply choreographed lighting design to feature prominently and suits the ballsy plot direction that soars into the stratosphere.
There are only so many words in which to correctly explore Flat Earthers: The Musical, with so much occurring at any one time it requires a second watch. Much like its co-production between Griffin Theatre Company and Hayes Theatre Co, Flat Earthers is a mashing of millennial and Gen Z humour, that may not suit the taste buds of everyone, nor does it entirely seek to.
Flat Earthers is unapologetic in its Australiania references, queerness and utter absurdity. Although it requires some trimming around its rougher edges, this is a truly unique and fun (flat? curved?) world premiere.
Cast & Creatives
Starring Michelle Brasier, Lena Cruz, Manali Datar, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Milo Hartill, Amanda McGregor, Mel O’Brien, Shannen Alyce Quan and Zarif
Director Declan Greene
Musical Director Jude Perl
Choreographer Fetu Taku
Set & Lighting Designer Brockman
Sound Designer, Associate Video Designer & Animator Daniel Herten
Costume Designer Emma White
Video Designer Xanthe Dobbie
Musical Dramaturg Clemence Williams
Casting Director Rhys Velasquez
Assistant Set Designer Lochie Odgers
Sound & AV Design Assistant TK Abioye
Stage Manager Anastasia Mowen
Assistant Stage Manager Grace Sackman
Intimacy Coordinator Chloë Dallimore
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