I loved Back To The Future growing up as a kid, I remember seeing Part II at the movies and how it ended with a cliffhanger. The third movie had been shot back to back which was unprecedented back then so after the ending there was a sneak peak of Part III. I had six months to wait for the next movie and it drove me berserk as a nine year old. I can’t imagine what it was like with those poor kids who were that kind of age when The Empire Strikes Back came out. I used to crawl around the car in my parents driveway pretending I was on a hoverboard calling out Marty and Doc non-stop. My mother helpfully remembers it was Duck that I said which drove her nuts. Fortunately for me she enjoyed the films too especially the first. Tales of time travel and/or ghosts have always spoken to her.
It turns out I wasn’t the only fan of the series which makes sense, since they accumulated something like over a billion dollars three decades ago upon release. One such fan Row Blackshaw is now directing the Australian debut of the recent parody musical of the original film titled That 80s Time Travel Movie – A Back To The Future Musical Parody. Row Blackshaw is beyond a triple threat there appears nothing this insanely talented woman can’t do. A musician and performer who has done a variety of roles behind the scenes, she has also worked as a nurse and taught special needs kids. I found our conversation really enjoyable as we shared a mutual love of Back To The Future and discussed the importance of empathy which I believe has influenced her path. She was kind enough to share some of what personally defined her and delight with a Doc Brownian yelp while discussing a scene. You can read the interview here http://scenestr.com.au/arts/that-80s-time-travel-movie-a-back-to-the-future-musical-parody-in-brisbane If you’re a local Brisbane reader you should really pop along, it is going to be one heck of a show.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr. is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Celebrating 25 years in 2018 of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. A cut down version of this interview was published in print in the February QLD edition of Scenestr which is always a thrill for a GenX guy like myself. A digital version of the print edition can be found here http://scenestr.com.au/read/QLD/2018/1101-QLD/scenestr-QLD-1101.html#p=34 with the interview on page 35. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. I feel very fortunate to get to write for them.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
It must be hard to tackle the effects on stage, but it sounds like they managed it.
I have great affection for the first two films in that series too. It was clever, and something different back then.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yeah I guess the sequels don’t hold up as much as the original but are admirable for how wildly different they are.
A real Delorian (not sure how to spell that) outside the theatre!??? Where on earth did they get that? The parody sounds affectionate and fun. I wonder if it will come to Melbourne?
It is the first time it is being performed outside the U.S. If it is very successful I’m sure it will inspire a Melbourne company to stage it.