Brie Keatley
The cast of Destiny's Cousin - Emily K Brown
I’m a big fan of two things, music and comedy. When those two things mix I am one happy patron of the arts. So imagine my excitement as I sit down to watch Destiny’s Cousin: The Reunion Spectacular, directed by Karen Anslow. The brainchild of four Wellington Footlights Society members, Destiny’s Cousin (don’t you dare compare them to the other girlband that they have gone through numerous legal battles with!) is part send up of pop band dynamics/stereotypes and part celebration of the music Millenials and Gen Z were raised on, with a delightful acapella twist.
As we sit down in Gryphon Theatre, we are teased with a pre-playlist of absolute noughties bangers. It perfectly sets the mood for a musical treat. The curtains drop and there stand our acapella queens, Catriona Batriona (Catherine Gavigan-Binnie), Cassidy Soo (Cassandra Tse), Lady Estella Barkham (Ellie Stewart) and Renata Ritchie (Renee Iosefa) in their first appearance since their public break up onstage at Christmas in the Park, 2009. They immediately burst into an upbeat and well choreographed cover of Wannabe by the Spice Girls. A fitting start for a show so full of love for nineties/noughties girlbands.
Catriona Batriona (Catherine Gavigan-Binnie), Lady Estella Barkham (Ellie Stewart) and Renata Ritchie (Renee Iosefa) performing in Destiny's Cousin - Emily K Brown Photography
Speaking of, the actual musicality of the show is brilliant. Despite some technical difficulties at the beginning, it is evident that Destiny’s Cousin can sing. Some vocal highlights for me include a melodramatic Kiss from a Rose as we learn, through a projected video sequence, of Catriona’s desperate yet hilarious attempts to become a star of the screen. And a chillingly beautiful rendition of Billie Eilish’s, When the Party’s Over, that legitimately gave me goosebumps.
Lady Estella Barkham (Ellie Stewart), Catriona Batriona (Catherine Gavigan-Binnie), Renata Ritchie (Renee Iosefa) singing while Cassidy Soo (Cassandra Tse) takes centre stage performing in Destiny's Cousin - Emily K Brown Photography
The projected video segments that happen during and in between songs are worked into the show with impressive comedic effect. Shot by James Cain, these often serve as their own separate mockumentary that fill us in on what the members have been up to during their split. I especially love the video sequence during a Mariah Carey cover, that shows us Lady Estella’s extensive family and what a loving mother she is. I have to mention the excellent marketing of the show which included creating a fake wellness brand managed by the band’s resident She-E.O. When scanning the QR code on the doors of the theatre, you are taken to Cassidy’s Soop brand website (which is a legitimate business and not at all a pyramid scheme!). Soop is also the gracious sponsor of the show and we are even treated to a mid-show advertisement. The integrated publicity was a highlight and the team behind it (Siobhan Raisbeck, Ellie Stewart, and cast) did an excellent job.
Renata Ritchie (Renee Iosefa) and Cassidy Soo (Cassandra Tse) sing together in Destuny's Cousin - Emily K Brown Photography
Overall, Destiny’s Cousin: The Reunion Spectacular is a fun and raucous night at the theatre that has me and my friend equally in laughter and awe of the blended harmonies of these talented performers. The show works through its heartfelt homage and thorough parody of the stereotypical girl group - the wonderful musical performances are the cherry on top.
Destiny’s Cousin: The Reunion Spectacular is on at the Gryphon Theatre until Saturday the 24th of June. You can find tickets here.
Destiny’s Cousin: The Reunion Spectacular is on at the Gryphon Theatre until Saturday the 24th of June. You can find tickets here.