Boobs! The Musical, ‘classy, not tacky’
For the first time, Boobs! be on stage in New Zealand.
The musical celebrating the life of sultry songstress Ruth Wallis has been picked up by Hamilton’s Riverlea Theatre.
The theatre company recently received the rights for the play and their production is the first time Boobs! has been performed outside of America.
Ruth Wallis was a jazz and cabaret vocalist with a career spanning the 1950s through to the 1970s.
Her novelty songs were considered risque, but Boobs! The Musical: The World According to Ruth Wallis celebrates and recognises them.
The Hamilton premiere production is a project close to the heart of director Dennis Ralph.
‘‘Auckland was the only place that had cabaret, and you went to hotels to see it. At that time, Ruth Wallis’ records were banned in Australia. But Noel McKay was a cabaret artist and brought the songs to New Zealand, and he brought her across as well.
‘‘Her Johnny’s Little Yoyo became a number-one New Zealand hit, despite the fact it was slightly naughty,’’ he said.
‘‘But as a child living in Taumarunui, my father would bring out two albums, one was Noel Mackay and Ruth Wallis’ songs. will So as a little seven-year-old, I go marching off to the Catholic school and start spouting Johnny’s Little Yo-Yo only to have the nuns summon my parents to the school.
‘‘So I’ve always had an absolute love of what was naughty, now-retro, cabaret in New Zea- land.’’
The show tells the story of Ruth Wallis arriving in the country after having her music banned across the ditch, only to find she has an even larger Kiwi following.
Using 23 of Wallis’ songs, Boobs! follows her international career highs and lows.
Hamilton burlesque dancer Janine Swainson will play the title role.
And the title itself seems to raise eyebrows, but Ralph insists it’s a show that is classy, not tacky.
‘‘Everything has a reflection. The songs and lyrics are very funny but it’s also satire of who we are.
‘‘It’s almost like we’re in an overly politically correct world, and it’s not about the boobs as in breasts, it’s the boobs you make in life.
‘‘We all make boobs of ourselves,’’ Ralph said.
Boobs! The Musical opened at the Triad Theatre in New York City in 2003 to critical praise and was eventually transferred to Dillon’s Reprise Room. By closing it had played nearly 300 performances.
Lawrence Leritz was producer and choreographer; Donna Drake, director and J. Kevin Draves and Robert Pease designed the costumes.
Boobs! The Musical, running at Riverlea Theatre from November 25 to December 16. A dinner and show experience, $70 per person. Bookings: www.iticket.co.nz or 0508 484 253. Adults only.