The community theatre group, Kingborough Amateur Musical Society (KAMS), performed their first official show on Saturday, January 11 as part of the Fringe at the Edge of the World Festival.
KAMS was formed in early 2019 with the aim of bringing community musical theatre to the Kingborough region and giving amateur performers a chance to develop their talents in a friendly, supportive environment.
Performed at The Brunswick Hotel, the show was musical theatre cabaret entitled ‘Witches, Nuns & Whores’ and was a satirical, tongue-in-cheek, exploration of the stereotypical roles available to women in musical theatre.
Featuring songs from ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Wicked’ among others, the show entertained the audience and provided food for thought on assumptions and gender roles while giving both individual performers and the group as a whole a chance to shine on stage.
“We are passionate about bringing affordable musical theatre to our local community and giving people a chance to take part in musical theatre even if they don’t have the experience or time to take part in the larger productions,” said society founder, Jo-Maree Courtney.
“The Fringe at the Edge of the World festival, which is only in its second year, was a fabulous opportunity for us to show off our talents and experience the thrill of performing.”
KMAS currently has 15 members and Ms Courtney hopes the group will grow over the coming years to enable the production of a full-scale musical.
Membership is not limited to performers and anyone with interest in musical theatre or willingness to contribute to supporting roles such as costume, lighting, sound or set design and construction is welcome.
The group does hold auditions for performers interested in singing, particularly for principal roles and the group rehearses once a week throughout the year with a few extra rehearsals scheduled in the lead up to a show.
“All we are looking for is the basic ability to sing a tune,” said Ms Courtney.
“We don’t require any level of experience or qualification, just the ability to sing with the group.
“We are a growing society and are open to new members from the Kingborough area and beyond,” Ms Courtney concluded.
For more information about the show or joining the society, email info@kingboroughmusical.org
Pictured above: The Kingborough Amateur Musical Society, (L-R) Kristen Ellis, Ellen Bennett, Rebecca Laing, Martine Martin, Natalie King, Karen Sutherland, Jo-Maree Courtney, Isabel Snow, Emily Kerton, Vincent Barwick and Shannon Beasley, made their debut performance on Saturday, January 11 during the Fringe at the Edge of the World Festival. The opening number for the group was ‘Big Spender’ from the musical ‘Sweet Charity.’ (PS – Andrew Phipps)
