Neil Goodwin is finally living his dream of presenting the popular musical production Blood Brothers in Cranbourne.By Sarah Schwager
A MUSICAL director plans to make Cranbourne the musical theatre capital of the state.
Berwick’s Neil Goodwin has been involved in the business for 35 years and is bringing his most recent production to Cranbourne.
Mr Goodwin started the Limelight Theatre Company in 1990.
“I recognised the need for a theatre group in the City of Casey,” he said.
“Back in those days there were no other groups. BATS didn’t even exist.”
The company is now breaking grounds by being the first non-professional theatre group in Australia to present Blood Brothers, a moving musical written by Willy Russell, who wrote Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita, about twin brothers separated at birth – one raised in privilege and the other in poverty.
The production will be performed over three weeks in Cranbourne next month.
Mr Goodwin said his Blood Brothers had a significant impact on him.
Mr Goodwin’s parents separated when he was five years old. At that time it was customary to stay with the father, so the courts awarded custody to his dad.
“(The production) really affected me,” he said.
“It was not just that I had seen a good show but I had been involved in it.
“I know where I was taken on that night and I have never felt the same watching another show since then.”
It was this response that led Mr Goodwin on his pursuit to one day direct the production himself.
“I’ve flown to London three times specifically to see it,” he said.
Mr Goodwin said trying to mimic those feelings and bring the show to life had been difficult.
“We kept reholding auditions to get the right people. Everything has been measured to recreate those memories,” he said. “It’s such a powerful story. Even the actors feel it. It’s very draining, but we know it’s going to be worth it.
“Everyone can relate to some part of the story with their own lives.
“For me the significant part was my mum leaving me at age five. In the story, this mum had to give away her child.
“She feels forced to do it, she knows she didn’t have a choice.
“I think of my mum and that really triggers me.”
Mr Goodwin said he had decided to stage the musical in Cranbourne to boost theatre in the area.
He said the Cranbourne Community Theatre was under-utilised, with not one musical theatre company running out of the facility.
“We’re hoping we’ll be able to make it our home,” he said.
Blood Brothers runs from 2 to 17 March. Tickets cost $32.50.
To book call 0400 430 049.
