CRUSH: The Musical → Adelaide Fringe

 Treating us to a full length musical this Fringe season is local company Gemini Creative Arts, with their joyous production of Crush The Musical. Directed by Sarah Williams and performed by a knockout cast of local talent, Crush is an uplifting celebration of queer love schoolgirl camaraderie!


Set in a 1960s British girls’ boarding school, Crush follows a group of students whose free-spirited world is upended when a strict headmistress arrives determined to stamp out rebellion and the budding romance between two girls. What unfolds is a cheeky, heartfelt musical about friendship, first love, and uniting to stand up against oppressive rules.


This production is stripped back but has all it needs to shine: A live orchestra arranged by Steven Edis, a full cast with soaring talents, and an excellent use of positioning on a small stage. Williams’ choreography treated the audience to dynamic and visually exciting movements, I especially loved the addition of the hockey tap number, which all students upped the energy for. 


In the plot’s main student love triangle is Cassidy Gaiter as Camilla, Lara Wilson and Susan and Erica Jones as Daimler. Vocally, they are all incredibly strong and certain, each getting solo moments to truly belt and shine. Their characterisation of these roles were also tight, clearly comfortable in each character’s personality and purpose. 


Brenda Smears, performed by Maggie Cooper is a role in this show that has a meaningful character arc, and Maggie expertly portrays Brenda’s growth when we hit the inspiring conclusion. Her scenes provide many welcome comic relief moments as she harnesses the ‘goody-two-shoes-preppy-school-girl’ archetype. 


Miss Austin is the empathetic teacher, performed by Bec Pryor, who instantly had us on side with her care for the students. She is unafraid to also stand up to headmaster Miss Bleacher, performed by Robyn Brookes. Robyn nails the antagonist role and goes out with a bang in her final scene. 


Crush is a heartwarming story and a welcome escape to the theatre that immerses you in a cheeky schoolgirl mischief and first love. In the hands of some of the best from our local scene, this production of Crush the Musical is a joyful reminder that stories of young love and defiance never lose their bite.

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