A New Christmas Musical Premieres In Sydney: Sally Whitwell’s Cog In The Machine
This December Sydney Philharmonia Choirs will present a fun-filled ‘family Christmas tale with a twist’ called Cog in the Machine, a musical collaboration with Aria award-winning artist Sally Whitwell, performed by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ highly acclaimed youth choir VOX.
Cog in the Machine is a world premiere piece of musical theatre written by Whitwell, one of Australia’s most prolific performers who has been described as “a little bit serious, a little bit kooky” and this production is set to cover both ends of that spectrum.
“I really love Christmas so I was completely thrilled to be invited to create a festive event for VOX”, said Whitwell.
“These talented young musicians are so fearless when it comes to trying things they might not have done before, so I decided that instead of just doing some nice choral arrangements of carols, I would write them a musical. It seemed to me to be the best way to tell the Christmas story I’ve always wanted to tell, about children and the over-commercialisation of Christmas. Don’t worry, the kids win in the end. They have to, it’s a musical!”
VOX will be led by music director Liz Scott, with some very special young soloists from the Sydney Children’s Choir. Cog in the Machine is perfect Christmas holiday funfare, with tons of tunes, lots of laughs, action aplenty and some cyber-travel to top it off. Kick off the festive season and keep the family entertained with an hour of family fun and mayhem, including a good old-fashioned Christmas carol sing-along.
It’s certainly Christmas but not as we know it…
It’s the week before Christmas and typical suburbanites the Helpus family are struggling with school holiday boredom. The three Helpus kids are turning feral, and Mum and Dad Helpus are at their wits’ end when they are inadvertently sucked into a teleport device that will revolutionise forever, the way they see Christmas.
Cog in the Machine explores family relationships, teenage angst, life and love with a side-dish of corporate greed, brain-washing and the crazy commercialism that is Christmas.
Suitable for ages 8+ years
Written and composed by: Sally Whitwell/ Music Director: Liz Scott/ Director: Christopher Harley
Tickets: $25 per person plus booking fees/Family of 4: $20 per person – 2 Adults, 2 Children over 5/Groups: 6+ $20 per person/ Children: 0-5 free.
Bookings: visit www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au or call (02) 9250 7777
