When the curtain rises on The Rocky Horror Show at The Armidale School’s Michael Hoskins Creative Arts Centre this Friday, one of the production’s most colourful stories won’t be on stage. The story unfolding will be behind the scenes, where three generations of a single Armidale family are creating theatre together for the first time in decades.
Dianne Murphy, known professionally as Miss Dodo Divine, has built a career as one of Australia’s recognised specialists in vintage and pin-up makeup, special effects, body painting, wigs, and theatrical prop and set construction. Her work has taken her across the country with internationally recognised creative studio Sherbet Birdie Photography, and she has collaborated with high-profile personalities including Buzz Aldrin, George Takei, Ray Martin, Tanya Hennessy, and Steve Waugh, as well as leading vintage fashion labels including Kitten D’Amour.
But despite a career that has reached far beyond the New England region, local theatre has always been in her blood. Murphy first stepped onto the Armidale stage at seven years old, performing as Gretl in The Sound of Music. Her mother, Donna Wainohu, played Mother Superior in the same production. Her grandmother appeared alongside them both as one of the nuns.
Now, decades later, mother and daughter are creating theatre together again.
“It’s something really special,” Ms Murphy said. “Theatre has always been part of our family. To come back home and work alongside Mum on such an iconic production feels like everything has come full circle.”
Ms Wainohu is a Life Member of the Armidale Drama and Musical Society (ADMS) and has dedicated decades of service to community theatre through directing, backstage work, makeup and production support. After many years away from Armidale, she has returned, and is thrilled to once again be part of an ADMS production, this time alongside her daughter.
Ms Murphy is volunteering her professional expertise to help transform the cast, bringing years of experience in theatrical makeup, wigs and visual storytelling to one of musical theatre’s most outrageous and visually demanding productions.
The Rocky Horror Show runs from Friday, 3 July to Saturday, 18 July at the Michael Hoskins Creative Arts Centre at The Armidale School. The production follows Brad and Janet’s infamous detour into the castle of Dr Frank-N-Furter, delivering powerhouse vocals, theatrical spectacle, and the boundary-breaking score that made the show a global sensation.
A gala opening night on Friday, 3 July is priced at $70 and includes finger food, a free drink, and a program.
Audiences should be aware the show is recommended for people aged 15 years and over. Children under 15 should be accompanied by a responsible adult. The production contains sexual content, mild violence, coarse language, partial nudity, occasionally loud noises, and uses strobe lighting and strong lighting effects.
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