Flowerchildren: The Mamas & Papas Story

As soon as Flowerchildren: The Mamas & Papas Story finished I wanted to see it all over again, or at least hear all the songs again. Musical theatre company Magnormos brings us a show which is musically stunning, riotously good fun and superbly written, effortlessly capturing the atmosphere of the decadent, rebellious '60s and fluently conveying the musicianship and talent of this iconic group. This wholly Australian musical's text was written by Peter Fitzpatrick, and the director's 'wish list' cast includes Australian Idol Casey Donovan as Mama Cass, musical darling Matt Hetherington as Papa John, Laura Fitzpatrick as Mama Michelle and Dan Humphris as Papa Denny. The Mamas & The Papas enjoyed monumental success with hits such as California Dreaming, Dream A Little Dream Of Me and Creeque Alley, and this show does them proud, including a heart-tugging version of San Francisco in Act 2. The show opens with an appearance by the group on The Ed Sullivan Show and leaps into their story, telling it with humour and a great deal of affection. The Mamas & The Papas foundered in part when Mama Cass went solo but they were already struggling with a tug of love between the two Papas and the bewitching Michelle Phillips, along with their respective substance addictions. That we care by the end of it that three of them died prematurely says much about the show – I came away feeling I'd gotten a real sense of these people's personalities. Top, top stuff.

Comedy Theatre to Wednesday 5 June