Vigil (musical)

Vigil
Promotional image for 2017 Melbourne season
Music	Joe Chindamo
Lyrics	Steve Vizard
Book	Steve Vizard
Premiere	10 June 2017 (2017-06-10): Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Productions	2017 Adelaide/Melbourne

Vigil is a one-woman Australian musical with book and lyrics by Steve Vizard and music by Joe Chindamo.

Synopsis

An exploration of mother-daughter relationships with comedy and drama, the musical concerns Liz, a prodigal daughter who returns to her mother's hospital ward on Christmas Eve after a long time overseas.[1] Commissioned by the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Vigil was inspired by a family gathering around Vizard's recently deceased mother.[2]

Productions

The original production featured Christie Whelan Browne and was directed by Andy Packer. It premiered at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June 2017,[3] followed by a short Melbourne season at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne in July 2017.

Reception

Vigil has been highly acclaimed. The Age described it as "a captivating new musical" and concluded that "with brilliant composition, writing, acting and vocals, with direction and design that augment intimacy at every point, the show makes you want to laugh and weep, sometimes both at once."[1] The Herald Sun, in a four and a half star review, said that "Vigil soars in the most spirited, life affirming way."[4] The Adelaide Advertiser called it "a dynamic, moving, frequently funny and catchy melody-packed showcase [for Whelan Browne]".[3] Limelight Magazine said Vigil is "a rollicking, dark and affecting show, which is well conceived, craftily drawn and superbly executed."[5]

At the Melbourne Green Room Awards in 2018, Vigil was nominated in the Music Theatre section for Production, Direction, Music Direction/Supervision and Lighting Design, with Whelan Browne winning as Female Lead.[6]

References

1. Woodhead, Cameron (5 July 2017). "Steve Vizard's Vigil at Arts Centre Melbourne reveals trauma, hedonism and hijinx". The Age. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
2. Nui, Te Koha (3 July 2017). "Steve Vizard opens his musical Vigil at the Arts Centre while he stars in Ten's The Wrong Girl". Herald Sun. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
3. McDonald, Patrick (11 June 2017). "Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2017 review: Vigil — Christie Whelan-Browne". Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
4. Plant, Simon (7 July 2017). "Vigil, starring Christie Whelan Browne, strikes a perfect balance between pathos and comedy". Herald Sun. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
5. "Review: Vigil (Adelaide Cabaret Festival)". www.limelightmagazine.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
6. Francis, Hannah (9 April 2018). "Whelan Browne gets comeuppance over trolls with Green Room Awards gong". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2018.