The Island of Doctor Moron is a rock musical written by Chris Dockrill, with music by Lyn Dockrill (his wife). Chris Dockrill, is a former teacher of English and Drama at Kempsey High School in Kempsey, New South Wales. Lyn is the principal of Kempsey West Primary School. The original version of the musical was performed at Kempsey High School in 1998 but a refined version of the show had its official world premiere at The New Olympia Theatre in Paddington, New South Wales on 4 November 2014. The theatre was previously the long-deserted Palace Academy Twin Cinema. The Dockrills took a short-term lease on the derelict building, refurbished it and renamed in deference to its original 1919 name. The season ran from 4 November to 6 December 2014. The show’s popularity grew to sell-out performances in the 250-seat theatre over the final two weeks.
Contents
Recordings
A CD live cast recording of all songs in the show was produced in October–November, 2014
The Band consisted of: Andrew Toner - acoustic/electric guitars Andrew Byrnes - drums Craig Morrison - percussion Paul Robert Burton – Acoustic Bass, guitarlele and harmonica Michael Hawke – Soprano, Alto, Tenor Sax/flute, harmonica Lead vocalists: Lyndell Arthur, James Berkley, Cramer Cain, Jess D’Souza, James Jonathon, Bree Langridge, Nana Matapule, Wayne McDaniel, Amanda Stella Webb Backing vocalists: Kelly Bryant, Lyn Dockrill, Jane Eller
Disc 1 (Songs from Act 1) 1. Overture 2. Stranded – Lyndell Arthur 3. Valma’s Drums 4. Mission Statement – Lead Vocals: Wayne McDaniel 5. What’d I Do? – Lead Vocals: Bree Langridge 6. Voodoo Zydecoo – Lead Vocals: Cramer Cain 7. Jungle Fever – Lead Vocals: Bree Langridge 8. Slave Market Junkie – Lead Vocals: James Jonathon 9. Moron Rules OK – Lead Vocals: James Berkley Harrison III 10. It Ain’t Easy Bein’ a Voodoo Queen – Lead Vocals: Bree Langridge 11. Doctor’s Orders – Lead Vocals: Lyndell Arthur
Disc 2 (Songs from Act 2) 1. Reprise 2. House of Pain – Lead Vocals: Jessica D’Souza 3. Gaol House Blues – Lead Vocals: Amanda Stella Webb 4. Genetic Mutation – Vocals: James Berkley Harrison III, Lyndell Arthur, Nick Jones, Nana Matapule, Amanda Stella Webb and Jessica D’Souza 5. Pull of the Tide – Lead Vocals: Amanda Stella Webb 6. Animal Nights – Lead Vocals: James Jonathon 7. Reversion Blues – Lead Vocals: Nana Matapule 8. The Way I Feel For You – Lead Vocals: Amanda Stella Webb 9. Swamp Boogie - Lead Vocals: Wayne McDaniel 10. You Bring Out The Beast in Me – Lead Vocals: Amanda Stella Webb, Wayne McDaniel, Jessica D’Souza, Bree Langridge, Steve Maresca and James Berkley Harrison III
Synopsis
Darkness. A raging storm at sea surrounds the audience, who follow the adventures of Edwyna and Douggie, who are shipwrecked, captured by voodoo natives, almost sacrificed by the leader of tribe of natives called Voodoo Valma, sold at auction by Rubber Gloves, purchased by the Doctor Moron, taken to his cave, mauled cajoled and played with by mutated half-animal-half-human creatures who are the doctor’s strange experiments. All narrative threads ultimately lead to Doctor Moron, his devoted woman, Mona, and his maniacal quest to unleash the beast in all humans .
Cast
The cast of the world premiere production of The Island of Doctor Moron were : James Berkley Harrison III - Doctor Moron Bree Langridge - Voodoo Valma Cramer Cain - Balthasar Lyndell Arthur - Eddie Steve Maresca - Douggie Amanda Webb - Mona Andrew Mead - Schnapps Wayne McDaniels - Brother Bob James Johnathon - Rubber Gloves Jess D'Souza - Cheetah Nana Matapule - Kong Tim Victory - Fitter Jimmy Chapman - Turner Nick Jones - Steele/Testosterone David Camm - Three Dogs/Jekyll Jenna Kratzael - Two Dogs Katerine Munro - Humbug Catherine Bolitho - Dance Ensemble Nicole Harring - Dance Ensemble Amy Gill - Dance Ensemble Rosemarie Romeo - Dance Ensemble Sophie Campbell - Dance Ensemble Tanika Layt - Dance Ensemble Chris Hains - Dance Ensemble Lukas Rose - Dance Ensemble Steve Williams - Dance Ensemble
Musicians
The musicians for the world premiere production of The Island of Doctor Moron were: Kelly Bryant - Backing Vocalist Jane Eller - Backing Vocalist Lyn Dockrill - Backing Vocalist Paul Robert Burton - Acoustic Bass, Guitarlele Michael Hawke - Soprano, Alto, Tenor Sax/flute, harmonica Andrew Toner - acoustic/electric guitars Andrew Byrnes - drums Craig Morrison – percussion
Production Team
The production team of the world premiere production of The Island of Doctor Moron were: Executive Producer – Chris Dockrill Executive Musical Director - Lyn Dockrill Musical Director - Paul Robert Burton Production manager - Luke Dockrill Art and Design Director - Chris Austin Audio Engineer - Phil "Kez" Kesby Choreographer - David Camm Lighting Designer – Billy Mawer
Reception
An early review of a technical rehearsal, published three days prior to the opening of the show to the public was negative – "Not quite the next Rocky Horror", however subsequent media responses based on the actual performances before paying audiences were all positive. The script and playing time was reduced by 22 minutes prior to opening night and production was tightened in the first week of the season. The show went on to receive positive responses from many sources. These include: Alan Jones - "There’s a rock musical on at the moment called The Island of Doctor Moron…the singing dancing is unbelievable."; "The Island of Doctor Moron has come to a successful end in Sydney. Crowds of people flocked to see the final performances of the production."; "Broadway or ... bust?! Chris Dockrill is not the kind of man who follows the safe path, nor does he take small steps. He prefers to blaze a trail – one that’s cometlike in its potential to amaze. This musical adaptation, written, directed and produced by playwright Chris Dockrill, is part H.G. Wells, part Rocky Horror Show."; "Doctor Moron creators Chris and Lyn Dockrill, have crammed so much into the fun storyline and musical score that audience detachment is just not an option." This article also examined the ground-breaking use of state-of-the-art musical equipment which was used in the production; "It is the new rock musical that has everyone talking and it is starring Lyndell Arthur of Sylvania."; "When the curtain opens on Chris Dockrill’s The Island of Doctor Moron on Thursday night it could well be the opening of a new era of entertainment along Oxford St."; "Actor Jack Thompson has come forward as an enthusiastic Patron for the production, urging audiences to partake in the Doctor Moron experience" "A unique rock musical in Paddington"; "Local Star Rocks Out … The musical is being touted as the Australian version of the Rocky Horror Show…‘There's a lot of dancing, grass skirts and plenty of colour,’"; "The doors have opened on a new venue and a new show along Oxford St, Paddington. The New Olympia Theatre debuts with The Island of Doctor Moron"; "This is the wild and elaborate story of a maniacal scientist who tries to create the ultimate creature through mutating and blending the genes of humans and animals."; "Pushing the Boundaries – ‘We have put together a show that stretches all the modern boundaries of live theatrical performance and music.’";"Second bus load of Kempsey theatre lovers travelled to Sydney by coach on Sunday to musical production ‘The Island of Dr Moron’. Another group made the long trek from Kempsey last Thursday. ‘It was an 18-hour day, we left at 6am on Sunday and didn’t get back home until after midnight, but it was worth it,’ ... ‘The show was awesome.’"; "From the moment I heard about The Island of Doctor Moron I was desperate to see it and it didn’t disappoint. This is a show whose origins story is a tale to match the on-stage adventure; equal parts crazed ambition, monumental heroism and fire-breathing drive to succeed. Moron is one massive, monumental musical." Giles Hardie - ABC News 24 – ABC 702 – Mornings on Nine – The New Daily – Foxtel magazine – Fliks.com.au – Time Out,getflicked;