Young cast brings playful energy to parody musical

By Tilly Kidd

From the rehearsal room of Coniston’s Phoenix Theatre, ethereal harmonies can be heard, growing louder and louder, as the cast of Page 9 Productions walk slowly towards centre stage. They raise makeshift torches in unison, a tribute to the power of fire. Suddenly, the rhythm shifts. Tribal movements and hip-hop music accompany a wild percussive beat. Comedic chaos fills the space.

Billee Paige Harris, a 23-year-old drama and musical theatre teacher from Wollongong, leads the charge as the director of Firebringer. The parody musical is set in a prehistoric time when people discover fire and struggle to grasp its significance.

The UOW alumni’s enthusiasm for the show is infectious and a buzz of laughter bounces between her and the cast while they work.

“They [the actors] all carry on in the best way,” Billee says. “It’s so funny. They’ve all got so many stupid inside jokes and stuff like that, but it just builds because then that translates on stage with the way they are interacting. They start to feed these little jokes into scenes.”

This playful energy can only be the result of a rehearsal environment where it feels safe for actors to take risks. Billee is passionate about inclusivity and creating “a space for learning”. She trained as an intimacy coordinator and movement coach for stage and screen, and wants theatre work to be fun.

“I’m always a massive advocate for people being like, ‘So, I’ve got this idea…”

Billee’s ability to foster creative collaboration shows in Firebringer. In one instance, a circus performer, V Mayer, tumbles across the stage. In the next, the whole ensemble is in a trance, cross-eyed and quivering. Michelle Rakos demonstrates her comedic timing as Ducker, and Jonathon Frino showcases monkey-like physicality as Smelly Balls. The production is full of surprises, and you never know what is coming next.

Hayley Bannerman, a 21-year-old speech and drama teacher who stars as Jemilla, the clan leader, has worked with Billee on many shows.

“I’ve said to Billee over and over again, I’m like, whatever you are doing. I will do it. I will do it. Billee just fosters this wonderful work environment,” she says.

Hayley was drawn to the Stone Age musical because of the character opportunities it offers women. In Firebringer, women take charge and do what they need to do to help humanity.

“From the get-go it’s a very female, femalepresenting, AFAB [assigned female at birth] show, and it doesn’t at the same time say, this is about women’s problems. It’s humanity’s problems.”

Page 9 Productions shares the profits of every show with the actors. Billee started the company after seeing many of her friends graduate with performance degrees, then work mostly for free. With most performers in their 20s, the company also provides a rare platform for emerging artists.

With so much love poured into Firebringer, it is bound to succeed. As Hayley says, “It’s fun. It’s comedy. And it’s cavemen.”

What more could you want?

Firebringer will be at the Phoenix Theatre from May 26-June 3; tickets via TryBooking.com. Follow Page 9 Productions on social media