By Molly Magennis
Two choirs based in Melbourne’s west will join the upcoming season of Melbourne Theatre Company’s production ‘The Heartbreak Choir’.
The Heartbreak choir tells the story of a fractured choir group, who as a result of a particular event, find themselves split in half.
Each night, one of the 13 choirs involved will join the cast on stage for the finale, with the Western Health Singers and Glee West being given the honour to perform in front of hundreds of people.
Heartbreak Choir’s musical director Vicky Jacobs said choirs are a “web of the community”.
“Because being involved in a choir, you don’t have to have any physical ability. You don’t even have to have a heap of musical ability, just a willingness to do some practice,” she said.
“You get this great cross section of people, and a choir is a great way for people to meet other people that they wouldn’t necessarily bump into in their lives. They’re great vehicles for drawing our communities together.”
Paul Marshall is in his third season at Glee West.
He said being able to perform with the cast of The Heartbreak choir was both super exciting and intimidating.
“As far as opportunities go, this is like winning tattslotto,” he said.
“Normally we’re singing in front of friends or family or some random community people wandering past with their pram, you know, it’s just a random event, whereas this is hundreds of people in an auditorium there to be entertained. It’s everything, it’s horrifically intimidating and enormously exciting.”
The Western Health Singers will join the cast of The Heartbreak Choir on May 19, while Glee West will take the stage on May 23, 26, 27 and 28.
Tickets can be purchased via www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/whats-on/season-2022/the-heartbreak-choir/.
