Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (reviewed Wednesday 3 September 2025).
A Succulent Chinese Musical?! presented by At Your Service Theatre Co and directed by Kate Stewart generously feeds the audience’s appetite for something juicy and new. Peppered with clever rhyme and full of spicy puns, this mellifluous musical had the audience praising it afterwards for being ‘energetic, over-the-top, succulent, funny and electric.’
The musical’s concept is inspired by serial offender Jack Karlson and a video of his arrest after dining at a Chinese restaurant in Brisbane. His protestations to the cops – so full of fancy flourish and pathos – had the internet laughing when the video went viral. But behind every eccentric public figure and news story is a chain of events even more bizarre.
This musical honours the memory of Jack (who passed away in 2024) and brings to the surface some facts and speculation that led to his eventual arrest. Seduction, petty crime and police corruption keeps the story engaging all the way through. As an original concept for a musical, it’s thoroughly Australian in its larrikin humour and irreverence.
Serving a short but satisfying 60-minutes, this is a show that is easily digestible, with talented performers offering a chocolate-box full of surprises. Rick Butler is quite the catch as Jack Karlson, the man with the sexy moustache. Melissa Glinn is manifesting par excellence as Constable JJ. Vincent Huynh is on the menu as the wonderful Musical Director. Tisha R. Kelemen hits the high notes in soprano as Everyone Else. Jeremy Kindl provides live keyboard as Répétiteur. Victoria Luxton smoulders as Eve Karlson. Max Newstead gives VOICE! BODY! INTENTION! as larger-than-life Jim McNeil, the literary inmate with directional ambitions who is doing time for shooting a police officer. Kate Stewart has us hooked as Captain Richard Richardson, as well as directing the show, as well as being one of the writers and producers.
The program is presented as a take-away menu at a Chinese restaurant, which is a nice little touch.
Overall, great chemistry, nice atmosphere, and a belly full of laughs.
A Succulent Chinese Musical?! is running until 6 September at Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville then 10-13 September at Eternity Playhouse Darlinghurst. For tickets and showtimes, go to: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/a-succulent-chinese-musical/
CREDITS
CREATIVE TEAM
Book, music and lyrics / Producers – Rick Butler & Kate Stewart
Director – Kate Stewart
Musical Director – Vincent Huynh
Assistant Director – Tisha R. Kelemen
Choreographer / Marketing manager – Melissa Glinn
Répétiteur – Jeremy Kindl
Technical operator – Amy van Gelder Brown
Originally developed by – Mark Alexander, Rick Butler, Melissa Glinn, Vincent Huynh, Tisha R. Kelemen, Victoria Luxton, Bash Nelson, Max Newstead, Kate Stewart
CAST & CREW
Rick Butler – Jack Karlson
Melissa Glinn – Constable JJ
Vincent Huynh – Musical Director
Tisha R. Kelemen – Everyone Else
Jeremy Kindl – Répétiteur
Victoria Luxton – Eve Karlson
Max Newstead – Jim McNeil
Kate Stewart – Captain Richard Richardson