Ride The Cyclone | Vox Theatre
Step into Vox Theatre and Phoenix After Dark’s production of Ride the Cyclone and you'll immediately be transported to a quirky and captivating carnival.
From the moment you enter the quaint space, you are welcomed by the sounds and vibrant lights of a bustling fair, creating a sense of anticipation for the musical journey ahead. The show plunges into the afterlife with the St Cassian High School Chamber Choir following their tragic deaths after a roller coaster malfunction. Finding themselves in a surreal limbo, the choir meets an animatronic fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak, who offers them a chilling deal: a chance at resurrection, but only for one of them. As each character steps forward to argue why they, above the others, deserve a second chance at life, the musical truly shines with brilliant use of diverse musical styles that perfectly reflect the unique personality of each character. Achieving such swift and effective shifts between musical genres is no small task; the cast and band deserve significant applause for their impressive versatility and execution through these transitions.
Photography by Tayla Simpson
Assembling this production was a significant undertaking, evident in the extensive list of cast, band, production, and creatives involved. This team is to be commended for their impressive ability to achieve such strong cohesion across all elements of the show. Director, Rhona Bechaz, delivered a clear vision and unique concept through every facet of this production. Audiences could clearly see her profound understanding of the script's text and subtext, as she accurately conveyed each character's distinct emotional arcs. The rapid transitions between musical numbers were expertly handled by choreographers, Hannah Macri and Kirsten Brown, who created dynamic and engaging choreography that expertly utilised the entire space, giving each character a moment to shine. Intimacy Coordinator, Tammy Sarah Linde, neatly wove numerous intimate moments into the choreography and blocking. These interactions felt relaxed and comfortable to the audience, and added a layer of authenticity to each character's story that the cast explored with apparent ease.
Musical Directors, Maddy Simons and Alex Angus, mentored the performers in a way that resulted in every vocal track being delivered with a clear understanding of each and every note. This was especially evident in the impeccably executed harmonies during the group numbers. Their exceptional direction also shone through the band, which was conducted with precision. Taking on two of the production's most crucial and pivotal roles, Hayley Gervais made a significant impact as both Stage Manager and Producer. From development to management and logistics, this production achieved a high standard. It was clear that every detail was carefully considered to ensure a seamless show. As Stage Manager, Hayley led the production through each moment without missing a beat, a challenging task realised with the assistance of the dedicated Stage Management Team, Angelina Mustafay, Isabelle Hardwick, and Rhys Schwarten.
This cast worked incredibly well together, with a clear and natural understanding of how to weave in and out of the spotlight. This on-stage generosity ensured that each individual storyline was easy to follow, preventing the overwhelm of six concurrent stories. With charisma, confidence, and impressive stamina, every performer commanded the stage. As Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg, Cameron Grimmett delivered an energetic performance that was meticulously thought out, seamlessly illuminating her character's evolving journey for the audience. Isaac Brown's portrayal of Noel Gruber was powerfully vulnerable, showcasing the character's profound emotional truth. Eloise Newman, as Constance Blackwood, marked her portrayal through natural and engaging responsiveness to the ensemble, making every interaction feel genuinely authentic. As Mischa Bachinski, Dom Bradley seamlessly integrated their acting choices into their musical numbers, creating vivid and evocative story telling. Jack Barrett delivered a hilarious performance as Ricky Potts, bringing an immense amount of fantasy and thought to the role. Playing Jane Doe, Makenzi Goodwin captivated with her standout operatic vocals executed with immense control. Dan Konstantinos personified The Amazing Karnak with such conviction that his appearance in the curtain call was a complete surprise to the audience. A notable mention for Erin Hall and August Cocks, the swing performers, who have each mastered a large number of tracks and will be hitting the stage this Friday, June 13th 2025.
Photography by Tayla Simpson
The Band delivered an exceptional performance, dynamically matching the emotional arcs of each character in every moment. They expertly supported the vocalists without ever overpowering them, and showcased remarkable versatility, competently navigating the diverse styles that the score demanded. The talented Band featured Alex Angus on Keys 1, Sean Alan Fagan on Keys 2, Ally Quin on Drums/Percussion, Hayley Gravina on Guitar, and Sari Rangiwai on Bass and Cello.
Photography by Tayla Simpson
This production's atmospheric vision was carefully crafted, thanks to the support of its talented creative team. Luke O'Hagan's Sound Design accurately depicted the world of the play, utilising carefully rendered soundscapes and effects to immerse the audience. Lighting Designer George Pitt skillfully guided the audience's focus, using follow spots and backlighting to reveal and conceal crucial moments throughout the production. Costume Designers, Lachlan Hall and Tamzen Hunter, achieved excellent results in creating six distinct school uniforms. These designs not only felt cohesive to the choir's overall identity but also cleverly allowed each character's individual personality to shine through. Puppet Designers, Celeste and Dan Konstantinos, perfectly crafted The Amazing Karnak, creating an animatronic carnival fortune teller so meticulously detailed it truly appeared to be a pre-loved fixture of an old fair.
The Set Design was a true standout, with the team doing a fantastic job at immersing the audience into a dark, haunting corner of a carnival. The onstage revolve, designed and constructed by Wilson Kong, was impressive. Its engineering was so seamless, it took moments to even realize it was an added feature. A striking focal point, the arch, designed and constructed by Rhys Schwarten and Nikki Pearson, was captivating as the stage's main feature. The quintessential carnival icon, the carousel horses, designed and constructed by Jay Reed, Kerry Simons, and Maddy Simons, also proved to be a charming classic inclusion.
Ride The Cyclone’s Marketing Team did a stellar job at capturing the magic of this production. The team featured the talents of Jessica Evans in Marketing and Social Media; Pavitra Tandon and Antoni Torrisi at Lavender Production for Promotional Photography; Talya Simpson for Stage Photography; Emma Erdis for the Program; Emma Perry for the Cover Artwork; and Clare Thompson credited for the film used in the production.
Photography by Tayla Simpson
This was a meticulously constructed production, and the immense effort and passion from its large team sparkled on the stage. Each person involved deserves applause and hearty congratulations for bringing this entertaining and fun-filled production to life.
Production: Ride The Cyclone
Playwright: Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Company: Vox Theatre & Phoenix After Dark
Dates: 6th June 2025 - 14th June 2025
Venue: The Tin Shed