ALL SHOOK UP, presented by IPC, SMMC and SPC - Townsville Civic Theatre, June 5th 2026

Photos and images credited to Budd Photography, Seraf Design, Katrina Guazzo and William Bell

It’s time to dig out those blue suede shoes and get along to this show. All Shook Up is a tribute to 1950s rock ’n’ roll culture and the music of Elvis Presley, cleverly interwoven into a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. At first, this jukebox musical feels like the love child of Grease and Happy Days, but beneath its energetic exterior lies a story that explores the power of love, the struggle against oppressive authority, and the desire to follow one’s dreams.

Directors Kylie Tillack and Jaclyn Bartholomew have worked with a huge cast and crew across three schools to deliver this rollicking, foot-stompin’ production, where almost every character is enamoured with the wrong person, or with someone they cannot have. These misplaced affections become a vehicle for satire, self-delusion, and gender-bending comedy.

Dancing to the Jailhouse Rock

Centred around the arrival of roustabout Chad (Riley Johnston) in small-town USA, the story follows how his liberal views on love and fun unintentionally shake the town to its core. Johnston brings plenty of “Fonzie” factor to this self-assured and confident character. As the self-confessed womaniser and catalyst for many of the story’s romantic pursuits, he delivers plenty of laughs with charm and polish.

Johnston and Lea-Rowell as Chad and Natalie

Poppy Lea-Rowell excels as the tomboyish Natalie (and sometimes Ed), who falls head over heels in love with Chad. Oscillating between the feminine and masculine qualities of her character while delivering standout vocal performances, Lea-Rowell quickly becomes both a crowd favourite and one of the production’s standout performers.

Playing the foil to bad-boy Chad is Jack Kelly as the nerdy Dennis, the third participant in the show’s central love triangle. While Dennis desperately seeks Natalie’s attention, Kelly wins over the audience with ease. As the character grows throughout the story, Kelly handles the development with finesse, particularly in his impressive rendition of “It Hurts Me”.

Jack Kelly as Dennis

It’s not just the younger characters searching for love in this storyline. Bringing maternal strength and wisdom to the plot is Aria Bennett as Sylvia, delivering several powerful solo moments in a heartfelt performance. Sylvia longs for the attention of Jim (Liam Madhok), the widowed husband and father whose eyes are drawn elsewhere. Enter Bridget Baxter as Miss Sandra, who brings glamour, playfulness, and charisma as she too falls victim to Cupid’s misdirected arrow. Baxter’s extensive musical theatre background is evident in her polished stage presence, strong vocals, and excellent comedic timing.

Aria Bennett as Sylvia

It's a tug-o-war over Miss Sandra (Bridget Baxter) between Jim and Chad

Mayor Matilda may represent the villain of the story, but Elizabeth Davis’ portrayal of the conservative-minded and overbearing town dictator is delightful. From the southern accent to her controlling treatment of the mostly silent Sheriff Earl (Marcus Carter), Davis creates a wonderfully entertaining antagonist. Carter’s eventual moment of finding his voice provides one of the production’s funniest pay-offs.

Ironically, the only couple who truly seem to know what they want are the star-crossed teenage sweethearts Lorraine (Charlotte Kirkpatrick) and Dean (Dean Gunders), whose relationship is micromanaged by their strict mothers. Kirkpatrick and Gunders share a sweet chemistry onstage, working effectively as the show’s Romeo and Juliet parallel while teaching the townsfolk a few lessons about the transformative power of love.

Lorraine and Dean - keeping their love real

A large ensemble cast surrounds and supports the lead performers throughout the production, bringing dynamism and energy to the big scenes and musical numbers. Brooke McDougall leads the Barflys as Henrietta, while the specialist dancers add another dimension to the production’s aesthetic. Vocal directors Cohan Russell and Taylor Fitzgibbon have clearly prepared the cast well for the demanding musical numbers. Managing a production of this size is no easy feat, and Kylie Tillack and Chris Davis, alongside Matilda Weekers and Keisha Gorman, have choreographed the show in a way that showcases the varied levels of stage experience within the cast.

Special mention must also go to the backstage crew; the props and set realisation teams; the hair, makeup, and costume departments, all of whom seamlessly transport the audience back to 1950s small-town America. Additional praise goes to Music Director Matthew Thiele and Production Manager Katrina Guazzo for helping bring this vibrant and entertaining production to life.

Packed with humour, heart, and plenty of hip-shaking energy, All Shook Up proves that rock ’n’ roll really is here to stay. With strong performances, lively choreography, and a soundtrack filled with Elvis classics, this collaborative production leaves audiences anything but lonesome tonight.