Ella, Marilyn, Marlene and Me
Ella, Marilyn, Marlene and Me
The Butterfly Club
26 June 2008
Ella, Marilyn, Marlene and Me tells the story of Abigail Stern, a young Brisbane girl who dreams of being a diva. Plagued by a healthy case of the ‘what ifs,’ she enlists the aid of a genie in a hairbrush to achieve her goals.
Although lighter on music and heavier on plotline than many cabaret shows of recent times, Ella, Marilyn, Marlene and Me is one of the most polished shows I have seen. Incorporating artful prerecorded backings and a series of costume changes that will make your head spin, the show blends music and storyline well. Songs chosen are well-suited to the show, and are built into the dialogue seamlessly.
Mellissa Western is brilliant as the retiring Abigail, attacking the often difficult musical material with verve, musicality and an unexpected vocal talent. Slipping effortlessly from character to character (portraying , at times, Ella Fitzgerald, Malrlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe), she keeps the audience interested and involved with the storyline.
The energy continues right up until the final few minutes of the show, when a slight dip in energy and polish was seen, leaving some audience members a little unsatisfied. This may have been due to the sudden shift out of character during the final song, Sinatra’s classic That’s Life, which was nonetheless impeccably performed.
A sparkling charisma and an exceptional theatrical and vocal talent make Mellissa Western a pleasure to watch. Coupled with a highly polished performance, Ella, Marlene, Marilyn and Me is an exciting and highly enjoyable evening. I wish Mellissa luck at her next stop – the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.