Brisbane review - Firebringer: has you laughing out loud

By David Wilson

Music and Lyrics by Meredith Stephen & Mark Swiderski

Book by Nick Lang, Matt Lang & Brian Holden

Arranged by Clark Baxtresser & Pierce Siebers

Co-produced by Isabelle Quayle & Pip Theatre

Originally produced by Starkid

Director Louella Baldwin

Musical Director Benjamin Richards

Choreographer Isabelle Quayle

At PIP Theatre Milton until 12 April 2025

Recommended for mature audiences 14 plus

Tickets and info at www.piptheatre.org/firebringer

Adults $61 Concession/group $56

Firebringer, a stone-age musical comedy, was created by the prolific and extremely talented StarKid Productions who are perhaps best known for their hilarious musicals ‘A Very Potter Musical’ and ‘Twisted’ (amongst many others). Originally funded by Kickstarter, and with a number of clips going viral on TikTok and YouTube, Firebringer has developed somewhat of a cult following, particularly among StarKid fans.

Firebringer follows a ragtag tribe of prehistoric humans navigating the trials and tribulations of stone-age life under the measured (but falsely premised) leadership of Jemilla, The Peacemaker. But one member of the tribe, Zazzallil, does not seem to fit in and is always trying to invent new things to make life easier - mainly for herself. While hatching her latest scheme, Zazzalil stumbles upon arguably the most important discovery in history, a discovery that pits her tribe against wooly mammoths and sabre-tooth tigers and changes the world forever as she becomes - The Firebringer.

Firebringer does an excellent job of blending meaningful social commentary with obvious comedy, and cleverly shedding light on current issues through an absurd stone-age lens. The result is a show that has you laughing out loud and singing along to the catchy tunes in the moment, but thinking about current affairs on the drive home.

Pip Theatre is well known for championing local talent and showcasing top tier Brisbane-based performers and creatives. With a very experienced creative team led by the exceptional Isabelle Quayle as producer (who also does a great job choreographing the show), directed by Louella Baldwin, and musical direction by Benjamin Richards, Firebringer is an excellent example of Pip Theatre shining the spotlight on home-grown talent. Together they have made excellent use of the intimate Pip Theatre facility in bringing this very clever show to life.

The cast was wonderful across the board on opening night, and were clearly having a fun time themselves too! It is always great to see performers enjoying themselves on stage, and the creative team gave them full licence to really lean in to the sharp-wit, catchy songs and all round chaotic good time that is Firebringer.

While this is very much an ensemble piece, there were a few performances warranting special mention.

Lucy Ross was wonderful as Jemilla, the capable, level-headed leader of the tribe whose life is upturned by a changing world. With excellent vocals, channeling Wicked at times, Ross did a wonderful job of balancing the character’s kind, authoritative and diplomatic qualities with some underlying pettiness.

Kaitlin Evans was excellent as Zazzalil, the free-thinking, brash misfit with equal parts laziness and ingenuity. Evans’ characterisation and energy were wonderful, and with strong vocals it is no surprise to see that Evans was also vocal captain.

Rae Rose made a fabulous Molag, narrator of the show and now-retired leader of the tribe. Rose’s stage presence and comedic abilities were on full show in this eccentric, slightly unhinged role.

Reagan Warner was marvellous as Ducker, the tribe’s cunning sharman/religious leader. Warner’s physicality and gravitas were perfect for the role, hilariously set against the notion that God is a duck!

Kaitlyn Burton was wonderful as the optimistic Keeri who appropriately (as dance captain) invented dancing. There were some lovely moments between Ally Hickey’s wide-eyed Emberly and Kyle Armstrong’s artistic Grunt, and an excellent dynamic between Loretta Melit’s half-human half-ape Chorn and Christopher Batkin’s sky-screaming Smelly-Balls. Madeline Harper was genuinely funny as the world’s first stand-up comedian Shwoopsie, and Ruby Gleeson was very strong as Tiblyn who literally had the world on her shoulders. And finally Isaac Brown was perfectly cast as the mysterious and charismatic Neanderthal.

It is wonderful that PIP Theatre has brought Firebringer to the stage in Brisbane. It is a clever show, brought to you by some very talented performers, doing an excellent job of mixing meaningful social commentary with a lot of laughs.

Firebringer is a lot of fun, and I encourage you to see it.