An electrifying night of epic performances from a stellar cast for Ride the Cyclone

THE OPENING night of the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group (WTG) production of Ride the Cyclone thrilled an enthusiastic audience at The Shed, marking an electric start to a highly anticipated twelve-show season.

As the house lights dimmed and the band struck its first notes The Shed at the State Coal Mine was transformed into a supernatural fairground instantly captivating the enthusiastic audience who later praised the launch as a fantastic opening night.

The eerie, captivating narrative began with Karnak the fortune teller welcoming theatregoers aboard the fateful cyclone ride. "I have told you their stories, I have warned you of what was coming," the mysterious narrator intoned. "I am the Keeper of the Midnight Train and the only one who knows how this story ends. You may think you know what happens next. You don’t. But you will. The cyclone is waiting."

Speaking to the Sentinel Times just moments before the curtain went up, Director Karen Milkins-Hendry shared her pride in how quickly the ambitious project came together.

"We had a relatively short rehearsal period," noted Ms Milkins-Hendry, a veteran of school and community theatre who is also Director of Learning at Newhaven College.

"The cast have been ready for a few weeks as the production elements such as the sets, props and costume pieces came together. The excitement has been sustained right from day one, they have been very committed and passionate,” she said.

Ms Milkins-Hendry highlighted the technical complexity of the staging, noting that the musical featured quite a few moments of breathtaking effects and one particularly dramatic special effect.

Praising the incredibly high standard of the entire cast, the director emphasised the unique structure of the musical, where each character has their moment in the sun and a signature tune with eclectic genres from opera to hip hop.

This artistic triumph was steered by a stellar creative team including Vocal Director Elly Poletti, Choreographer Linda Hamilton and Musical Director Nick Carver.

The result was a night of truly memorable individual signature numbers and powerful ensemble group performances that left the Wonthaggi audience thoroughly spellbound.

Who could forget Jade Dalton as the irrepressible Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, or Finn Farley as Constance Blackwood, Lachie Trappett as the surprisingly tender Mischa Bachinski and Coby Fowles as the equally passionate Noel Gruber, Rafal Pyka as the very imaginative Ricky Potts, Jayde Trapett the enigmatic and entrancing Jane Doe and Jay Nelson as the wise voice of The Amazing Karnak.

Characters so faultlessly performed they stayed with you long after the stage lights had gone down, a true testament to the talent of both the actors and the supporting crew including Mark Harrison (Head of Technical), Mayumi McPhee (Costume Designer), Emlyn Blackman (Lighting Design), and Steph Thornborrow and Jasper Slavin (Props Design).

Actor Rafal Pyka assisted with hair and make-up, designed the program booklet and assisted with the digital assets with everyone assisted by a large and talented team.

“There’s a time to laugh, a time to cry and time to reflect,” said Milkins-Hendry.

Heavy on dark comedy and brimming with eccentric charm, this unique production is one of the must-see theatrical events of the year, staged in WTG’s wonderfully intimate performance space at The Shed at the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine.

The narrative follows six members of a Canadian high school chamber choir who meet a tragic end in a freak rollercoaster accident. Instead of passing on immediately, they find themselves suspended in a bizarre, transitional space between life and death.

What unfolds is a surreal, hilarious, and often heartbreaking competition offering them a final chance to return to the land of the living, but there is a catch, only one of them can go back. Each teenager is forced to present their case for survival through an eclectic mix of song, memory, and vivid imagination.

Because The Shed offers such a close-up, immersive setting, the audience feels completely embedded in this carnival wasteland.

Having successfully staged multiple high-calibre shows in their independent theatre space, WTG has built a stellar reputation for delivering unforgettable nights out, earning overwhelmingly glowing feedback from theatregoers of all ages.

Ride the Cyclone is poised to continue that streak, offering a gripping, laugh-out-loud, and moving experience that will leave the community talking for weeks. Don't miss out on the conversation. The season runs for a limited number of performances through to Saturday 10 October with discounted $30 tickets for grand final night Saturday September 26, 2926. Tickets are expected to sell fast. Go to wtg.org.au or trybooking.com/events/landing/1624444 to secure your seats.