When Katoomba-born-and-raised actor Madeleine Jones watched the iconic Aussie film Muriel’s Wedding in the late ’90s at age 10, she thought how funny it was.
Roll forward 20 years, and as she prepares to take on the role of Rhonda in the Sydney Theatre Company’s musical remake, she’s struck by how sad the story is.
“It’s truly brutal how she [Muriel] gets treated and how awful her father is,” Jones said.
“Muriel is determined to be somebody but for all the wrong reasons.”
Twenty-three years have passed since the film hit the big screen, but it holds just as much appeal today, Jones said.
“All of us have a little bit of Muriel in us. That person that wants to be loved and has the potential to be great.”
Muriel’s Wedding the Musical has been adapted by the film’s original writer-director PJ Hogan into a dazzling new stage show which brings the story into the present.
The show features the original ABBA hits as well as a soundtrack of new songs by award-winning singer-songwriters Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall.
Jones said rehearsals have been a lot of fun and all the iconic moments from the film have been retained, including the ABBA Waterloo number featuring Rhonda and Muriel, played by Maggie McKenna.
“There are some serious white outfits happening and big wigs,” she said with a laugh.
“My voice is slightly lower than Maggie’s so I take the bottom harmonies. Frida’s [from Abba] harmonies are low and then so high.”
The relationship between Muriel and Rhonda is a cornerstone of the film, so finding actors with the right chemistry was crucial.
According to Jones, she and 21-year-old McKenna hit it off immediately. “As soon as I met her [McKenna] it was divine,” she said.
“We get along really well which is great. It’s nice as well that you can learn stuff from each other every day. It’s great fun. She breaks my heart in some of the scenes – she’s good. There will be tears in the audience.”
The lead role of Rhonda is another string to Jones’ bow. The accomplished actor recently played the lead role of Patty in the QTC tour of Simon Phillips’ Ladies in Black, as well as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Ariel in The Tempest for Sport for Jove. She was nominated for a Helpmann Award for her performance in the Aussie production of the Broadway smash hit Once, in 2014-15.
Jones says it’s been wonderful to explore the character of Rhonda who embraces being yourself.
“Rhonda is the only one in the story that knows who she is and likes who she is. She doesn’t take any shit from anyone, she brings the party. She’s really enjoyable to explore and she’s such a champion of Muriel. It’s a joy to play that female friendship.”
Muriel’s Wedding the Musical opens November 6 at Roslyn Packer Theatre in Sydney. Tickets at: www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/campaign/2017/muriels-wedding.
