All is not what it seems on reality television
It’s reality television with a twist.
For the last three years, Hamilton musical writer Chris Williams has been crafting a parody of the reality talent show phenomena. And that same phenomena that produced stars like Kelly Clarkson and One Direction may even put Hamilton on the walk of fame.
The Quest will open on December 1 with a local cast that includes Kersten Hickman, Henry Ashby, Falstaff Dowling Mitchell and Fiona Greaves.
It tells the story of unsuspecting singer-songwriters as they discover all is not what it seems in the reality TV world.
Williams admitted the musical was a bit of a ‘‘piss-take’’ on the reality talent show format.
‘‘I tortured myself for some time watching those shows,’’ he said.
‘‘I thought it would be a nice idea to present it on stage and go behind the scenes.’’
From time to time Williams caught up on X Factor and UK’s Got Talent. Straight-talking Simon Cowell makes for good television, he said.
And audiences may spot some similarities between the English reality television judge and characters within The Quest.
‘‘Certainly there’s judges in the show - pretty much a mix of all the types of producers, managers, and performers,’’ Williams said.
There are also talented troupes and complete dreamers oblivious to their lacklustre attempts at stardom.
The Quest is Williams’ second locally-written show. He launched his first musical State Highway 48 in 2014 and it went on to tour nationally in 2016.
‘‘This show is completely different to State Highway 48, which dealt with the themes of recession, depression, job loss, marriage break up and communication. The Quest is a funny and insightful parody of reality talent shows. Sections of the show include a televised version of the programme itself.
‘‘The rest of the musical takes a behind-the-scenes look at the TV network where the desperate bid for daily survival takes place. Twenty-two original songs make up The Quest and we can’t wait to put it on stage.’’
Songs such as Turning Point, Caught in a Charade and Beware of the Judges all have their place in the story, Williams said.
And helping the cast tune their vocal chords (or not) is music director Nick Braae and director Nick Wilkinson.
Wilkinson’s credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Addams Family and State Highway 48. He’s also acted in local productions Noises Off, Evita, Mamma Mia and Phantom of the Opera.
Braae is a senior academic staff member at Wintec’s School of Media Arts and holds a PhD in music from Waikato University.
Rounding off the cast is male lead Kyle Chuen who brought Jean Valjean to life in Hamilton Operatic’s production of Les Miserables.
The Quest is running at The Meteor Theatre from December 1-9. Tickets: themeteor.co.nz/ event/the-quest