The Roaring Twenties features singer-actor Melissa Western, a hot band of Brisbane's best musicians and special guests extraordinaire to recreate the "annee folles" (crazy years) of the 1920s. Filled with excess, decadence and hot jazz this is a night where audience members help create the atmosphere by dressing in theme and becoming the speakeasy crowd. Set in cabaret style with the musicians flat on the floor and performers on a custom raised pedestal stage, The Roaring Twenties gives audiences a smoky, authentic experience of twenties hedonism. Hats will be tipped to some of the great icons and composers of the twenties: Josephine Baker, Greta Garbo, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Jelly Roll Morton and more. Inspired by film releases including The Great Gatsby, Midnight in Paris and Chicago this show gives communities the chance to step back in time and taste the delicious fun of twenties music, dance and style.

A drinks and food package is encouraged and could be as simple as wine and cheese available or as extravagant as a cocktail bar and multi-course meal in partnership with local suppliers. Optional extras include mobile photo booth, dance class, pop up styling boutique.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Black Box Venue, Outdoor
Technical Rating
The production can be modified to suit most venues
Touring Party
Six (5 performers/musicians and 1 crew)
Considerations

Performances are 18+ only. The setup is cabaret style, but with performers on floor level with tables and chairs plus a custom touring stage (we don't use the venue's raised stage). Close proximity to the performers is part and parcel of the performance. A drinks and food package in the venue is encouraged to help make the night a "full experience" for audience members. This could be as simple as wine and cheese available or as extravagant as a cocktail bar and multi-course meal arranged in partnership with a local restaurant or caterer.

Western-Dyer Productions have a proven track record over 10 years of successful touring throughout regional and rural Queensland and Western Australia. With a thorough understanding of what communities want and need, the company has consistently produced and toured popular shows including 'Barbara and Barry's Sweet, Sour and Saucy', 'The Roaring Twenties', 'Oh Lady Be Good', 'Lissa and Nee Nee Space Adventure' and 'Lissa and Nee Nee Adventure Time'.

The team have travelled locally and globally to key festivals (Edinburgh Fringe, Woodford Folk Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane Festival) and have toured twice with the UK NRTS (Ella, Marilyn Marlene and Me, Lush Life, Oh Lady Be Good). They are known and respected for their refined skills, spontaneity and authenticity.

Highlights include extensive touring and mainstage performances throughout Australia, the UK and France including: Women in Voice, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Canterbury International Arts Festival, Bristol Spiegeltent, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Brisbane Jazz Club, Speigeltent, Queensland Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, QPAC, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Adelaide Fringe etc. Sweet, Sour & Saucy received five star reviews in Edinburgh and was nomiated for 3 x 2015 Matilda Awards: Best Female Actor, Best Musical/Cabaret and Best Set Design.

Unique Selling Point

The Roaring Twenties is not just a show, it's a complete event night out. Audiences are asked to dress in 20s style and communities can go to town on involvement featuring local dance schools, showcasing a local musician or singer, engaging local caterers and brewers, boutique fashion and jewelry makers. We will work with communities in the lead-up to the show to ensure that as many groups in the community as possible get involved. With a high quality performance as the centrepiece, communities can have as much or as little involvement as they desire.

Marketing Materials

  • marketing collateral available (will be customised to advertise involvement of local groups)
  • a 1920s music appreciation kit will be sent in the lead up to enthuse and prepare communities
  • a 1920s style and fashion kit will be sent in the lead up to give ideas on dress for the night
  • community engagement ideas will be negotiated with communities in the lead up to the event including food and beverage plan, dancers, poker/card game facilitation, fashion parade and more (see ideas below)

Community Engagement

The Roaring Twenties will meaningfully engage by connecting with as many community groups as possible to make the event rich and multifaceted. The Roaring Twenties can feature a variety of community groups including:

  • A dance class/ dance school performance
  • A card game area or poker area
  • Local acrobats or circus performers
  • Vendors wanting to sell boutique clothes and accessories in line with the theme
  • Food and drink aspect by partnering with local caterer, restaurant or pub
  • Fashion parade (featuring local designers)

Optional extras include:

  • mobile photo booth (stocked with fun props and backdrops to take away a memory from the night)
  • dance class
  • pop up styling boutique during event
  • pre-show style, makeup and fashion workshop workshops: 20s fashion, etiquette workshops, "make and mend" mentality of our foremothers with the Lindy Charm School (www.thelindycharmschoolforgirls.com)

By encouraging community involvement in this event we aim to help communities build confidence in presenting their own cabaret/themed nights. A free workshop will be offered to forward-plan future community cabarets and events. The workshop will focus on design, management and the simple components needed to create a great and memorable event plus a list of the top five 'theme night' ideas to implement.