New show full of feathers and glitter

BOOGIE WOOGIE: Auburn Crombie (left), Bridget Connor and Eden Shearer take on some of the jazz classics.

Hot on the heels of its Moulin Rouge antics, MATS' theatre revue show is back by popular demand.

MATS' end-of-year production will be ENCORE II: Jook Joint to Juke Box, a cabaret-style spectacle paying tribute to the jazz greats through the ages, and the pop classics of the '60s onwards.

Last year's revue, ENCORE: Broadway to Burlesque, a nod to Vegas and cruise ship-style cabarets, attracted "packed houses" and positive reviews from theatre patrons.

"We had such a great house last time - so we know that revue formula works for audiences," said director and MATS' president Sharon Stevens-Cottle.

"People like to be able to sit back, have a glass of wine, and watch something fast-paced and colourful, with no dialogue and where they don't have to think too heavily.

"Plus, it was something we hadn't ever done before - so it was new and fresh, and made people go, 'Oh wow'."

Following on from last year's ENCORE, the show will feature chorus lines, skits, some "gorgeous guys and girls" and "lots of feathers."

The cast of 26 will be taking on jazz and swing classics from The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy through to "crooners of today".

The "jukebox" part of the show will feature Beatles, Elton John, and blues medleys, plus some contemporary chart toppers.

"We're going for a big, karaoke-style party," said Mrs Stevens-Cottle.

The cast features a mix of experienced MATS' performers - including Bex Johnson, who will reprise her role as the "cabaret owner" - and several new, college-age recruits.

"We've got some fab new voices.

"Some of them were kids who sold our programmes who told me, 'I want to be in the show when I'm old enough'."

In typical MATS' style, Mrs Stevens-Cottle is promising some lavish costumes, having sourced all the outfits from Thailand.

"It's a different theme, so the costumes won't be as revealing - but we'll have some skimpy stuff.

"As always, we'll have miles of feathers and glitter."

Mrs Stevens-Cottle said she hoped those who enjoyed last year's ENCORE would return - "and bring some friends".

ENCORE II will run at the Majestic Theatre from Thursday October 9 until Saturday October 18, starting 7.30pm, with a matinee on Sunday October 12 at 2pm.

Tickets are $35 for the concert only, and $45 for the concert and a meal beforehand, available from www.dashtickets.co.nz