Few musicals hit the satire as hard as Reefer Madness, a musical parodying one of the worst films of all time a 1930s educational film of the same name, which was made specifically to warn people of the dangers of marijuana. Indulging in the original films corny plotline and over the top performances, the film opens with a government agent played by the brilliant Alan Cummings warning concerned parents of a small American town about the new drug menace, before transitioning into the story of Jimmy Harper and Mary Lane, teenagers who are seduced into a life of crime and sexual depravity because of their cannabis addictions. Nobody is free of this film's satirical reach, with teenagers, small town life, drug users, the media and Jesus all having jokes launched in their direction, yet it is in its darkest moments that the musical begins to thrive. Cannibalism and several references to rape take the musical in an oddly confronting and gory direction before diving headfirst back into flamboyant absurdity after one of the characters murders her abusive, drug dealing boyfriend by chopping him into pieces, she approaches President Roosevelt, still covered in her victims blood, only to sing a song with him. For those who are fans of dark humour or satire, this musical will fit your tastes perfectly, or if you tend to lean towards stoner comedies, this may provide a unique alternative.
A writer, actor, teacher and musician from New South Wales, Australia. His first play/musical "Hipster Apocalypse: A Zombie Cabaret" will be hitting the stage in Wollongong, Australia later this year. If you have any questions or just want to chat, you can contact Bradley on Facebook, Twitter and Google+
