REVIEW: A Non Canonical Musical Adventure with Pookamhura: Mistress of B-Roll
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Genre: Theatre—Drama, Musical/Concert/Opera
Run Time: 70 mins
In a refreshing new production from Theatre Erebus, a random group of MMORPG (massively multi-player online role playing game) players meet a gnome rogue named Pookamhura as they wait for another player to join them for a dungeon adventure. During the wait, they reflect on their shared history as gamers and people, using original songs, heart and humour. Once one of their players confesses something deeply personal, tensions rise and forces the group to confront their prejudices.
With a mix of music stylings from folk rock to country, A Non Canonical Musical Adventure with Pookamhura: Mistress of B-Roll shows some great potential. The musical elements are well scored although lyrically are a bit repetitive. Each song cleverly reveals some truth to the characters in real life. There’s songs about heartache, love triangles and longing to be somewhere where people understand you. Some songs are silly and some are quite emotional. Both have a place in this musical. There are some beautiful harmonies throughout and with so many skilled musicians in the cast, that comes as no surprise.
An unexpected highlight of this production is the incredibly detailed video design work by Chris Cracknell. Hours of work has been put into the RPG elements of the show as the game characters mimic the choreography in the background and almost look like they are lip-syncing along to each song. Sometimes it distracts from the live performance but by no means in a detrimental way. It is very impressive work enhancing the world building and allowing an immersive experience for the audience.
The cast are enthusiastic and support one another through the various scenes and musical numbers (and huge recognition to the show’s choreographer Mason Micevski who stepped in to fill a role in the show the day before opening). Emily Bolyea is perfectly cast as the passionate Pook. Chris Cracknell gives a layered performance as Tank and newcomer Francis Wallace captures our hearts as Hunter/Robin. The enormous energy from these four actors seems suffocated by the small space on stage and forces them to keep their choreographed movements tight and their deliveries, at times, restrained. If this production ever remounts, a larger space should allow these performances to really shine. Given the circumstances this company faced so close to opening, I firmly believe that the show, as a whole, will strengthen with more exposure to receptive audiences, and assist with their timing and confidence overall.
A Non Canonical Musical Adventure with Pookamhura: Mistress of B-Roll explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the complexities of life’s adventures. It provides some accessible insight into the world of online gaming, using song and dance to carve out its important message about stereotypes, stigmas, bigotry and finding a community that sees you beyond the character you play as. Be sure to check it out and support this new musical endeavour.
