New musical, great talent, good fun

Mum Katherine (Suzan Anderson) has her hands full coping with fighting siblings Ellie (Hannah...
Mum Katherine (Suzan Anderson) has her hands full coping with fighting siblings Ellie (Hannah Harris) and Fletcher (Zepplyn Anisy Oudemans). PHOTOS: SARAH GRAHAM
The South Canterbury Drama League’s production of Disney’s Freaky Friday: A New Musical offers a fun and entertaining experience for the whole family.

Step out of the cold and into the warmth of The Playhouse and enjoy this classic body-swapping story.

The plot follows Katherine Blake (Suzan Anderson), a soon-to-be-married mother, and her rebellious daughter Ellie Blake (Hannah Harris), who, after an incident with a magic hourglass, find themselves in each other’s bodies.

This leads to some entertaining and sometimes emotional moments as they navigate life in each other’s shoes, ultimately strengthening their mother-daughter bond.

Fans of previous adaptations will appreciate this musical’s fresh take while retaining elements from the original novel and films.

Adam (Cameron Lines) finds Fletcher (Isaiah Callaghan) about to run away to Los Angeles after an...
Adam (Cameron Lines) finds Fletcher (Isaiah Callaghan) about to run away to Los Angeles after an argument at home.
Hannah Harris shines as both Ellie and "Katherine-in-Ellie’s-body", showcasing standout vocals and acting skills that clearly differentiate between the two roles.

The same can be said for Suzan Anderson who plays Katherine and "Ellie-in-Katherine’s-body".

Anderson’s physical comedy as a daughter in her mother’s body is one of the highlights of the show and had the audience giggling the entire time.

Zepplyn Anisy Oudeman, sharing the role of Fletcher with Isaiah Callaghan, plays a convincingly annoying/lovable younger brother.

Karel Hill plays Katherine’s lovable fiance Mike, Hayley Goodman is the exasperated assistant Torrey, and Cameron Lines brings the charm as Adam, Ellie’s crush (also delivering standout vocals).

The show is packed with so many more vibrant and zany characters/ensemble members that I would love to talk about but really you just need to go and see them for yourself.

Director Alice Sollis, musical director Catherine Anderson, and choreographer Jane Bowen, along with the rest of the production team, deliver a polished production with a minimalist set and sharp lighting that adds to the overall professionalism of the production.

With a run time of approximately two hours plus intermission, it’s a great option for a family outing.

Overall, Freaky Friday promises a fun, engaging night out for all.