This Hollywood-inspired cabaret, filled with show-stopping songs from the golden age of film, tells the lesser-known history of the Golden Globe-winning actor. Presented by Mikey Halcrow (as O’Connor) and Jens Radda, as the late-night pianist called Moses – the two WAAPA graduates use numbers from O’Connor’s films to tell his surprisingly heartfelt story of love, loss, and ambition.

With direction from Olivia Charalambous, the dynamic between Halcrow and Radda is charismatic, and sweeps the stage and audience. Peppered with audience interactions, both with prop and dialogue work, as well as running through the tables for the more galvanic numbers, this piece of musical theatre includes a balance of comedy and choreography.

A man of many hats, the story follows O’Connor through Vaudeville, Paramount Pictures, and the armed forces – to heartbreak, achievement, and the pursuit of happiness in a career that always has more lows than highs. Mikey Halcrow delivers heart in his performances and exudes a sense of excitement while doing so – making the young actor this generation’s Donald O’Connor in many aspects.

Set within Perth’s Ellington Jazz Club, aiding the performance with a cozy-neon speakeasy aesthetic, and the production’s interlacing of tap dance, jazz piano, cabaret, and transcontinental accents – ‘Make Em Laugh’ is a history book of the ages.