BCMA presents cabaret plays

STUDENTS with the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts’ (BCMA) musical theatre extension will be bringing an array of cabaret originals to Piano Bar next week.

Fourteen young performers will each present a unique compilation of cabaret works as part of the school’s Cabarets By Design production.

BCMA director Paula Heenan said Piano Bar’s intimate setting will showcase students in a non-traditional way.

“It’s giving them another opportunity to explore different types of performance,” she said.

“As they go into careers as performers, a lot of them will be doing this sort of thing between big theatre shows and it’s another style of performance they can put under their belt.

“Each student’s show will be about 15 minutes.”

Featured songs include Olivia Newton-John’s Hopelessly Devoted to You, Bewitched by Laufey, and Dyin’ Ain’t so Bad from the 2012 Bonnie and Clyde Broadway show, as well as works from Vera Lynn, Billy Joel and Norah Jones.

“These are not just performances,” Ms Heenan said. “They are expressions of creativity, passion and artistry, showcasing the hard work our MTE students have poured into their craft all year long.

“We are also inviting any musical theatre students from in and around Ballarat to attend for free to experience the magic and talent of our MTE performers.

“This is a unique chance for performance students to witness the high standards and goals they can aspire to as they continue their journey toward becoming the next generation of senior performers and to enter a career in the performing arts industry.”

BCMA’s cabaret show will precede a Piano Bar residency during which students will perform music and drama soirees on 13, 14 and 20 October. Cabarets By Design will start at 6.15pm on Wednesday 18 September. Tickets are at bit.ly/4dV3jSZ.