Michelle Griffin has written and stars in a new comedy cabaret show Love, Chemistry and Cryogenics, playing at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. I caught up with her mid-rehearsals to find out how on earth science and cabaret come together on stage. <\/p>\n
Where did you get the wacky idea for a cabaret show about science? <\/p>\n
My original thought was simply what is the least likely subject for a cabaret? I felt that science was a fairly unconventional theme, but also one with a great deal of potential. There is a surprising amount of music written on the subject of science, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore several B-movie, science fiction clichs. This theme is also something of a tribute to my family, all of whom are in the medical sciences. My father is a (retired) Hospital Scientist, my mother is a Physiotherapist, and my sister is an Occupational Therapist, so science is something that runs in the family. <\/p>\n
So, is Love, Chemistry and Cryogenics autobiographical? <\/p>\n
Faintl y autobiographical - it contains a kernel of truth wrapped in a thick layer of complete fabrication. I was considered something of a nerd in primary school (my nickname for a while was Dictionary) and I've always had an interest in science and geek culture. The teacher aspect of the character was also pretty familiar territory, but in reality, I think I'd make a pretty poor scientist. I wouldn't mind being cryogenically frozen and re-awoken in the distant future, though. <\/p>\n
When did you first get involved in music and performing? <\/p>\n
I started attending Early Childhood Music classes at about three years of age. This involved singing nursery songs, marching about to the beat, and sitting around making noise on a variety of percussion instruments. This set me up pretty well for my current career, as sitting around making noise is essentially what I do for a living. <\/p>\n
Map out your music career to date for us... <\/p>\n
I studied piano in Bathurst with Jennie Menzies, and later at Newcastle Conservatorium with Natalia and Gian-Franco Ricci. I sang in a lot of choirs, and performed with the Newcastle Chamber Choir in several national and international tours. In my twenties, I started having singing lessons with Maureen Lewis. These days I work as a piano and singing teacher, accompanist and choral director at Mitchell Conservatorium and various schools in the Bathurst region. In my spare time I have founded a kazoo orchestra, written several youth theatre shows, and taught myself to play the ukulele. <\/p>\n
Who are your big musical influences? Do we see their mark on this new solo show? <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See the rest here: Michelle Griffin has written and stars in a new comedy cabaret show Love, Chemistry and Cryogenics, playing at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. I caught up with her mid-rehearsals to find out how on earth science and cabaret come together on stage. Continue reading
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