Before the house lights dim at the Cremorne Theatre, there is only a photograph. 35MM: A Musical Exhibition—the brainchild of composer Ryan Scott Oliver and photographer Matthew Murphy—began as a multidisciplinary “song cycle” where every note is a direct response to a captured moment in time. While the show has a storied history of Broadway-calibre performers and high-octane rock scores, Jason Klarwein infuses this Brisbane production with a deeply personal, “Zen-like” soul.
From Cairns Skits to Creative Command
For Klarwein, the path to the director’s chair was not a straight line; rather, it was a return to a childhood fascination. Growing up in Cairns, the spark was ignited not in a grand theatre, but amidst the charm of neighbourhood Christmas parties where adults performed skits for one another. Though he initially resisted the performing arts, the magnetic pull of storytelling eventually brought him back by default.
Now, with over 25 years of experience—including his leadership of the Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe and the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance—Klarwein views himself as a storyteller first. This background as a seasoned performer is his greatest asset in the rehearsal room. He describes it as a mechanical advantage, allowing him to break down professional blockages for his students by recognising exactly what they are feeling in a moment of frustration.
A Masterclass in Raw Energy
In this production, Klarwein directs the emerging stars of the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre, a cohort he describes as “ebullient” and “striking”. His approach to the show’s high-concept origins is an exercise in vulnerability. Rather than relying solely on the original Matthew Murphy photography, Klarwein challenged his students to bring in their own childhood photos, grounding the abstract music in their personal histories.
Working with twenty performers—a significant expansion from the show’s traditional five-person cast—Klarwein has leaned into the “raw” energy of graduation-bound artists. He manages the delicate balance of their professional ambition and “existential terror”, teaching them that in live theatre, imperfection can be more interesting than robotic precision.
The Intimacy of the Analogue
The Cremorne Theatre provides a versatile “black box” backdrop that Klarwein has utilised to its full breadth and height. In his direction, he has stripped back modern digital effects in favour of a more tactile, analogue aesthetic, incorporating vintage Kodak slide carousels and Minolta cameras from the 1980s. Within this concentrated space, the audience is enveloped by the cast, experiencing a wall of a cappella sound that Jason believes carries a resonance unique to such an intimate setting.
Klarwein describes the show as a “roller coaster ride” through a “cacophony of sound and light”. It is a production that invites the audience to take a risk on the unfamiliar, promising that they will walk out with their “glass full” and a sense that the future of Australian musical theatre is in very capable hands.
Season Details
Ticketing: For session times and bookings, visit the Official QPAC Website.
Production: 35MM: A Musical Exhibition
Company: Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre
Venue: Cremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
