Review: Speakeasy, North Lakes
Picture: Lizzie Moore, Jenny Usher, Sheree Fitzgeralod, and Gabriella Dennien (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
The Candy Shop Show is an independent, Brisbane-based touring entertainment company, led by Jenny Usher (Director, Choreographer, Producer, Writer, Dancer and Singer). Known for their expertise in ‘developing and performing unique, high-energy cabarets that are packed with smooth harmonies, sassy choreography, and larger-than-life performers,’ this is a team that works hard to deliver retro and vintage flavoured events that are equally well-suited to high-end corporate functions and to the Thirsty Chiefs Brewing music venue.
I first saw the Candy Shop Show Speakeasy in 2022, and it was a pleasure to see this production again. There were a few tweaks to the show, all of which added to the overall audience experience—including the use of some great video and graphics, projected onto the screen (Lucy Kelland, Stage Manager). It also felt as if the production was tighter and even slicker than the earlier version—which just demonstrates that The Candy Shop Show team is constantly touring and looking for ways in which to improve.
For the 2024 Anywhere Festival Moreton performance, Sheree Fitzgeralod, Gabriella Dennien, and Jenny Usher (dance and vocals) joined Lizzie Moore (lead singer).
Lizzie Moore can certainly sing. Starting the show with Moore singing ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ and then ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ was a fantastic way to get the full attention of the audience. But my absolute favourite number of the evening had to be Moore’s powerhouse performance of ‘Minnie the Moocher.’ The solo pieces were a great counterpoint to the fabulous four-part harmonies, which included the 1920s medley of ‘Yes Sir! That’s my Baby/Bye, Bye, Blackbird/Puttin’ on the Ritz/Let’s Face the Music and Dance/Swannee’ and entertaining ‘Liquid Lunch.’
Picture: Speakeasy (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Jenny Usher, Sheree Fitzgeralod, and Gabriella Dennien (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Lizzie Moore (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
And the team certainly can dance. The three dance specialists— Usher, Fitzgeralod, and Dennien—produced fabulous Charleston, tap, and numerous high-kicks. It was impressive to see that they still had breath left for their singing, and for the entertaining audience-participation interludes that included ‘knife-throwing’, a mock wedding, and a quick 1920s slang competition.
As not every Speakeasy number drew on the dance card of the 1920s (it was great to see the 1920s-styling of ‘Crazy in Love’), I do hope that a future Candy Shop Show might draw on a postmodern jukebox theme. I will just have to keep an eye on their website to see what Jenny Usher develops next.
Picture: Gabriella Dennien, Sheree Fitzgeralod, and Jenny Usher (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program included the Candy Shop Speakeasy (18 May 2024, 7:30pm) at Thirsty Chiefs Brewing Co, 4/4 Wills Street, North Lakes. Alcohol themes, all ages. The Speakeasy was only open for one night during the 2024 Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay dance card, but future shows are also listed on The Candy Shop Show website.
The reviewer attended the 18 May 2024 performance.