Massaoke are a cover band with a difference. Not only do they perform everyone’s favourite songs - neatly categorised into themed shows - they do so with dramatic flair and audience-derived backing vocals. Massaoke’s other Fringe show offers rock songs from the eighties and nineties, but ‘Massaoke: Sing the Musicals’ features songs from (you guessed it) musicals. From Broadway classics to Disney hits, they have something to appeal to everyone.

A giant screen at the back of the stage contains lyrics (as if musical-lovers need written lyrics to sing along) making this similar to karaoke, except that everyone participates, and no one gets self conscious. Singing, dancing, and letting-loose occur spontaneously, combined with a distinct lack of inhibition rarely observed in adult humans.

The moment the audience have been waiting for arrives with a powerful Greatest Showman-esque opening. By the end of the first song, every person in the venue is singing along at maximum volume. Next up, Frozen fans negate the need for written lyrics at all, with the crowd well and truly taking the reins for Let it Go. A Grease medley has the pink ladies versing the T birds, before the crowd comes in close for a surreal moment spent Over the Rainbow.

Intermittent flute and ukulele add to the band’s impressive repertoire of larger-than-life sound. The vocalists (and the audience!) do justice to every song. Mac Savage is a frontman with attitude, charisma, and a killer voice. Perth’s own female lead vocalist/keyboardist/Princess Jasmine — Nicholette C — has amazing range and incredible stage presence. 

Rebel Rye rocks as the band’s laid back bass player, Mat Factory drums with impeccable timing, and accomplished guitarist Hans Fiancé provides great backing vocals. Mcclean is a double-mac-toting VJ with a flair for the theatrical, and if I’ve left anyone out, it’s only because I was mesmerised by the magical, musical atmosphere.

Attending this show is like entering a Time Warp, especially if Defying Gravity is your thing. Whether you just don’t want to throw away your shot, or you simply appreciate the Bare Necessities, these songs won’t bring you down. You and the other Dancing Queens will be saying, “Please sir, I want some more!”, because this is The Greatest Show.

Massaoke: Sing The Musicals is most suitable for all adults, but musical-loving (and adult-accompanied) teens will love it, too.

Warning: May contain nostalgia, joy, and traces of nuts.