Michelle Griffin has written and stars in a new comedy cabaret show Love, Chemistry and Cryogenics, playing at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. I caught up with her mid-rehearsals to find out how on earth science and cabaret come together on stage.

Where did you get the wacky idea for a cabaret show about science?

My original thought was simply what is the least likely subject for a cabaret? I felt that science was a fairly unconventional theme, but also one with a great deal of potential. There is a surprising amount of music written on the subject of science, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to explore several B-movie, science fiction clichs. This theme is also something of a tribute to my family, all of whom are in the medical sciences. My father is a (retired) Hospital Scientist, my mother is a Physiotherapist, and my sister is an Occupational Therapist, so science is something that runs in the family.

So, is Love, Chemistry and Cryogenics autobiographical?

Faintl y autobiographical - it contains a kernel of truth wrapped in a thick layer of complete fabrication. I was considered something of a nerd in primary school (my nickname for a while was Dictionary) and I've always had an interest in science and geek culture. The teacher aspect of the character was also pretty familiar territory, but in reality, I think I'd make a pretty poor scientist. I wouldn't mind being cryogenically frozen and re-awoken in the distant future, though.

When did you first get involved in music and performing?

I started attending Early Childhood Music classes at about three years of age. This involved singing nursery songs, marching about to the beat, and sitting around making noise on a variety of percussion instruments. This set me up pretty well for my current career, as sitting around making noise is essentially what I do for a living.

Map out your music career to date for us...

I studied piano in Bathurst with Jennie Menzies, and later at Newcastle Conservatorium with Natalia and Gian-Franco Ricci. I sang in a lot of choirs, and performed with the Newcastle Chamber Choir in several national and international tours. In my twenties, I started having singing lessons with Maureen Lewis. These days I work as a piano and singing teacher, accompanist and choral director at Mitchell Conservatorium and various schools in the Bathurst region. In my spare time I have founded a kazoo orchestra, written several youth theatre shows, and taught myself to play the ukulele.

Who are your big musical influences? Do we see their mark on this new solo show?

See the rest here:
Stage chemistry