It was a hot time at the beautifully renovated Northcote Town Hall for Midsumma Celebrating Queer Culture. Walking through the handsome courtyard on High Street to the modern West Wing, one enters the pleasant foyer and bar where there are two studio theatres. In Studio Two on Opening Night, 3 February was the WishingWell Productions’ show: A Narrow Time for Angels, The Musical.

It is a raucous musical for the CSI fans among us - or perhaps the Twilight fans. The musical is set in a morgue guarded by two anatomically authentic mannequins – one male and one female. There is a cast of three characters who progressed heroically through a one hour, twenty minute show, which I judged to be longer than necessary to have its fun and tell its story. There are highlights, which if tightened and focused, could create a right rousing mystery musical sketch – like a Carol Burnett episode.

As the show opens, we see Maggie (Caroline Lloyd) whose character is the heart of the piece and Ms Loyd carries this well. She has appeared in most Melbourne based TV shows. Maggie is breaking and entering through the morgue window. We are quickly confronted by her voluptuous and now-dead lover, Bliss (Julianne Donovan).

She is a body on a gurney and soon a wide-eyed ghost moving around constantly. Perhaps this intended to be Blythe Spirit but was more evocative of the Adams family. Soon we all meet Sam (Ruth Katerelos), the lonesome midnight cowgirl of the forensic world, about to perform an autopsy on the body, until she is smitten by the intruder.

There is passion – “you lying bitch, you ripped my heart out”.

There is corny humour – “You can take the girl from Hawthorne but you can’t take the whore from the girl” .

There are references to the Necropolis News, where we learn such facts as “more people are killed by coconuts than by sharks.” Sam has also learned some fascinating stories of how various well-known people died. Example: Tennessee Williams choked to death on a plastic bottle cap.

There are songs, some more successful than others. “They aren’t like you and me” was clever, rhythmic and well delivered. Julianne Donovan also becomes Kiki, the sadistic madame gangster. She delivers a strong song entitled “You Owe me Big Time.” Julianne has found a biting character and her striking singing voice takes on a clarity that is missing in her characterisation as the ghostly lover. There are also good moments of harmony provided by Ruth Katerelos.

Cerise de Gelder has written a lively mystery plot with a clever ending that at this stage needs a sharp editing eye. Clara Pagone and the other talented people involved in this work-in-progress have some good ideas to continue to have fun with! I really liked the title. It could apply to the world right now. And here’s a final quote from the performance – “live dangerously, die beautiful”.

A Narrow Time for Angels: The Musical
by Cerise de Gelder
Northcote Town Hall
West Wing, Studio 2
WishingWell Productions
Fundraisers 4 & 9 Feb
3-14 February
Tues-Sat 8 pm
Sun 5 pm