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The Family Copoli: A Post-Apocalyptic Burlesque Musical

 
Frodo Allan Review by Frodo Allan 3 Published: 20 Aug 2025 theSpace @ Niddry St Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-23 Aug 2025

A musical about a post-apocalyptic touring burlesque cabaret inspiring audiences to get busy with repopulating the world is certainly an original premise. With a book by Andy Colpitts and music by Michael Wookey, The Family Copoli wears its influences on its fabulously designed sleeves (costume by Ana Mocklar and Julia Schanen). There are hints of Cabaret, Moulin Rouge, and maybe even Shock Treatment, with a heavy serving of Mad Max where the grotesque sits alongside the beautiful. The real plot of the story is less about the show, leaning heavily on the familial in-fighting that drives it. The set design allows the cast to effortlessly take us from stage to backstage, as this is where the real drama is played out.

There’s definitely more story to tell about this complicated family dynamic, and I would love to see it

The titular family is fracturing. As disagreements about setlists and casting choices grow into arguments about the morality of their mission, Justin Lee’s patriarch attempts to keep everyone in line. There are stand-out performances from Oscar Llodra as the Emcee-like Frolino, and Jack Henigan and Cece Wagner as the twins, Pickin and Grassaline.

The songs are where this musical shines; there’s not a weak number in the show, from the Weimar-esque opening Old Gold to the heartfelt Triangles in Space. Unfortunately, the direction is inconsistent. The cast smoothly transition between scenes and there’s always lots of business going on in the background, but there are several moments where cast members are speaking lines upstage – sometimes while crouching and digging through suitcases and boxes – which makes dialogue difficult to hear, especially when the band is playing. I must also raise that the ending feels weak; there is an Act 3 revelation that is meant to shock, but the exact same subject matter is the punchline of a comedy number earlier in the show. It’s a mixed message, and the show ends with no real resolution.

The Family Copoli is an ambitious new musical from a talented team and features an excellent cast. I hope that this show continues to develop – there’s definitely more story to tell about this complicated family dynamic, and I would love to see it.

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The Blurb:

72 years after a solar superflare destroyed civilisation and sent the human race spiralling toward extinction, a ragtag troupe of post-apocalyptic performers brings sensuality and sequins to the few survivors left on Earth. Their goal? To reignite the spark of humanity (and libido) through a risqué, slapstick, raunchy burlesque show. But while the audience gets glitter, camp and cabaret, things behind the curtain aren’t so glamorous. Feuds boil over, secrets threaten to tear the family apart, and the biggest questions loom: Why carry on? Should we? What happens if we don't?