Ellen Reed is making some fast friends in Oscar Theatre Co.’s latest production ‘Boy & Girl’.
“You become friends really fast when you have to get naked with someone,” enthuses Ellen.
“It's one of those interesting things when you meet someone and have to show them your junk. You feel like you've known each other for years when in reality you only met less than three weeks ago.”
‘Boy & Girl’ features a live band with a cast of over 25 dancers. “When you add a live band into a theatre and cabaret-style piece, it really adds something to it,” Ellen says. “It's like a marriage of live performance-meets-theatre-meets-gig. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this as it's the kind of show where you don't have to be into theatre to enjoy it.” 
However, organising a cast of such large scale isn’t the easiest thing in the world. “Trying to coordinate a group of this size is a challenge in itself. It's a bit insane having everyone at every rehearsal. We all do this for the love of it, and with everyone having a day job, the biggest challenge is coordinating us all to be at rehearsals,” Ellen explains.
'Boy & Girl' combines musical theatres such as ‘Chicago’ and ‘Cabaret’ with contemporary songs from artists such as Bruno Mars and Macklemore. “I love good theatre and could sit and watch 'Chicago' a thousand times. Yet the way Emily [Gilhome, director/ co-creator] has shaken things up, [and] really brings a new light to theatre, so people won't be expecting what they see. “It's the best of both worlds with this production — you get to work with a band singing these pop songs, and I also get to be a theatre kid and belt out some 'Take Me Or Leave Me' from 'Rent',” she laughs.
‘Boy & Girl’ is currently playing at the Brisbane Powerhouse for a three week season until April 19.
