Checked Out: The Musical review | Melbourne Fringe | Trades Hall

Don’t we all love an enforced work function? Having to spend even more time with the people you already spend most of your life with? For the weary employees of Woles, a “lavish” celebration from head office looms ever closer as they struggle to balance their chaotic personal lives with the daily grind of supermarket employment. Written by Josh Connell (also Musical Director) and Steph Lee (also Director), Checked Out: The Musical shines a spotlight on the harsh realities of five workers contending with rude customers, a profit-obsessed boss, and the angry backlash of price gouging. There’s only one way they are going to get through it - with song. Several of them, in fact.

The musical numbers are a lively mix of genres and styles, at times reminiscent of Rachel Bloom’s irreverent approach in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The creators aren’t afraid to play with form or tone, and the lyrics swing cleverly between hilarious and heartfelt, particularly when one character sings:
 
“I clock in, I check out, I clock out, but no one’s checking in on me."
 
It hits like a punch to the gut, capturing the quiet despair behind the comedy.
 
Despite a small performance space and large props, Lee finds room for plenty of movement and choreography that lend the show a playful dynamism. That said, projection by the cast occasionally proves problematic. Vocals can be hard to hear, especially when backing singers aren’t mic’d or are drowned out by the leads. Still, these technical hiccups don’t overshadow the vitality and charm the production brings to the stage.
 
While the songs themselves are consistently strong, the story could benefit from a little tightening. There's one scene where Seb serenades a mop that is very amusing, but it doesn’t do much to advance the plot. Jasmine’s arc feels underdeveloped, as her shift toward bitterness is a touch abrupt for her first week on the job. If the intent is to present how this environment wears people down, it’s unclear why the others maintain their relative cheer.
 
The performances, however, are first-rate. Jackson Cross is a ball of energy as wannabe DJ Jack, his facial expressions and physical comedy perfectly timed. His rendition of "Love in Aisle 9" reaches boy-band anthem levels of excitement. Anita Mei La Terra infuses Bridget with infectious optimism, portraying the ever-dutiful employee clinging to the rules, and delivers several of the evening’s more emotional moments. Oscar O’Brien, Shanu Sobti, and An Dang round out the ensemble with great comedic presence and vocal versatility, ensuring the show remains tight and engaging throughout.
 
Beneath the laughs and catchy tunes, Checked Out: The Musical lands some sharp truths about corporate greed and the weariness of those caught in the cycle of low-paid labour. It’s a funny, biting snapshot of what it means to survive under those glaring fluorescent lights, where every barcode beep and “clean-up on aisle three” masks a deeper fatigue. Connell and Lee intelligently unpack the humour and humanity of the supermarket slog, reminding audiences of the workers trapped in cycles of exhaustion and underappreciation.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton
Season: until 12 October | Wed - Sat 9pm, Sun 8pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: Full $35 | Concession $25 | Wednesday Hump Day $26.25
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival

Image credit: Josh Connell