Author Archives: Suzy Wrong

Review: Between Us (ATYP)

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atypVenue: ATYP (Walsh Bay NSW), Feb 4 – 21, 2015
Director: Sarah Parsons
Playwrights: Joel Burrows, Tahlee Fereday, Sharni McDermott, Tom Mesker, Julia Patey, Kathleen Quere, Callan Purcell, Caitlin Richardson, Fiona Spitzkowsky, Amanda Yeo.
Cast: Katy Avery, Christian Charisiou, Jordan Cowan, Patrick Cullen, Rebecca Cuttance, Airlie Dodds, Kelly Huynh, Lucia May, Dominic Roebuck, Gemma Scoble, Michael Smith
Image by Tracey Schramm

Theatre review (of preview performance)
The ten short pieces in Between Us are connected by the idea of secrets. These young Australian stories range from the deep and dark to the wonderfully inspired, all with a personal and revelatory perspective that aim to divulge something truthful. Nine are monologues, perhaps a reflection on the introspective nature of early adulthood. We do not get fervent commentary on our society and politics, but we are certainly witness to a fierce interrogation into human behaviour and its nature.

Direction by Sarah Parsons is adventurous and quite masterful. Her courageous use of space gives emotional and spacial dimension to each piece, respecting their individually distinct voices, and allowing their individual idiosyncrasies to take shape on stage. Transitions are sensitively and creatively manoeuvred so that the experience is fluid and cohesive as an integrated entity, while each writer’s own colour is staunchly retained. Parsons’ work with actors is wildly impressive in Between Us. Every segment is performed with surprising depth and sophistication, so that characters are meaningful beyond their ten minutes of showtime. We are drawn into these bite sized moments, sometimes seeing with astonishing clarity what is being expressed, and sometimes seduced into a sense of intrigue that leaves us hungry for more.

Fiona Spitzkowsky’s Accidents Happen is a remarkably funny yet brutal piece about parenting and ambition. Her blend of the macabre with a casual, almost unassuming everyday humour is a thrill to experience. Performed by Rebecca Cuttance with impeccable timing and focus, this is a programme highlight that exemplifies the intelligence and talent that is being showcased at ATYP. Pink Hair by Amanda Yeo is written with beautiful structure and shrewd acumen. It is technically accomplished, but also visceral and engaging. Kelly Huynh’s interpretation gives a magnetism and moving humanity to the play’s protagonist, and we are enthralled by her thorough authenticity and precision, without the actor having to move a limb more than once or twice during the segment’s entire duration. Also noteworthy are the production’s three male players, Christian Charisiou, Patrick Cullen and Michael Smith, all memorable for their refreshing and solid presences, and conspicuous, burgeoning star quality.

There is so much to like about Between Us, including its design aspects and technical proficiencies. Melanie Liertz’s set and Alexander Berlage’s lights are outstanding, and stage management is executed to perfection by Olivia Benson and her crew. It is almost unbelievable that these short plays can conspire to deliver something so substantial and rewarding, but it does. It is no secret that the Australian Theatre for Young People is a crucial element in the continuing progress of our artistic landscape, but on this occasion, the stepping stone has itself become a thing to celebrate.

www.atyp.com.au

5 Questions with Florette Cohen

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florettecohen1What is your favourite swear word?
With two little boys listening I don’t get to swear much these days. Poo-face doesn’t count, does it?

What are you wearing?
My staples – jeans, a t-shirt and the high top green Connies that I’ve had forever. In the future I may be the first granny sporting Connies and a Zimmer frame.

What is love?
Love is wonderfully consuming!

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The Snail And The Whale by Tall Stories at the Sydney Opera House. It’s a gorgeous story and the production was both witty and haunting – from 2 to 36 years old we loved it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Yeah it is! Who doesn’t love a black comedy? I think the show has something for everyone, there’s even a film component. You’ll be crying one minute and laughing the next.

Florette Cohen stars in My Mother And Other Catastrophes, by Rivka Hartman.
Show dates: Sat 7 and 14 March at Gleebooks, and Sun 8 and 15 March at the Sydney Jewish Museum

5 Questions with Ross Chisari

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rosschisariWhat is your favourite swear word?
Easily, fuck. I say it like people say the word ‘and’ or ‘like’. I think it’s because I’m Italian. It’s basically the first word we learn!

What are you wearing?
Ha, I’m currently wearing Superman boxers from Peter Alexander. If I’m gonna sleep in something, it has to be classy.

What is love?
Love is difficult. It’s difficult to find. It’s difficult to understand. It’s difficult to hold onto. That feeling towards something or someone that makes you defy all logic. It’s what some people dream about, or (like me) it’s what some people spitefully toast to cheap wine and thai take-out!

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The last show I saw was Sweet Charity at the Opera House. It’s a knock-out show. The cast is actually a joke to watch on stage and the music gives you chills. 4.5 stars for sure!!!

Is your new show going to be any good?
Man Of La Mancha is going to be like nothing anyone has ever seen before. It’s got an incredible cast and creative team and the company have the most inspirational, dedicated, hard-working soul as it’s leader (Tony Sheldon) and I have a feeling we’re gonna cause a stir whether people like it or not!!! 😉

Ross Chisari is choreographing and also appearing in Man Of La Mancha, with Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre.
Show dates: 25 Feb – 21 Mar, 2015
Show venue: Seymour Centre

In Rehearsal: Queen Bette

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Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre
Queen Bette 2015 g.bod theatre

Rehearsal images above from Queen Bette by g.bod theatre, part of the 2015 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras season. Photography by Richard Hedger.
At The Old 505 Theatre, from Feb 25 – Mar 1, 2015.
More info at www.gbodtheatre.com

5 Questions with Dorje Swallow

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dorjeswallowWhat is your favourite swear word?
I actually don’t mind the odd egad! And a simple bollocks goes a long way, I find.

What are you wearing?
Right now I’m favouring the blue shorts, white linen shirt, indoor soccer shoes ensemble. I’m trying to make it a thing. I’ve been sporting it for a whole summer now, and I’m still yet to have the satisfaction of seeing a single other person walking the streets with it. Having said that, if it ever did catch on, I’d stop wearing it. I’d hate for it to become like handball and 80’s music and suddenly ironic and cool for the kids. Actually that’s it. I’m done with this whole soccer/prep/Havana Night’s theme. It’s not me anyway – who am I kidding?

What is love?
Love is a wave of euphoric bliss, between two people who brighten and lighten each other’s days, and perhaps even add a little steam to the kitchen of life. Over time, it solidifies into the closest of friendships, and the feelings of joy and support one can appreciate when two people have shared so much together, and still have so much to look forward to. In effect, it moves from the kitchen to the living area. If you ever find yourself in the lavatory, or the rumpus, you’re in trouble. And we all know what happened to the Flowers in the Attic, and Colonel Mustard in the Conservatory with the Lead Piping, so let that be a lesson to you, ye students of love!

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Masterclass. Charlie Garber and Gareth Davies. Old Fitzroy. 4 and a half stars out of 5. It features a brilliant revival of the montage sequence, which I would like to see more of in the theatre, please. A very funny show. Funny ha-ha, AND funny weird, which is, in my mind, the best combination.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Three weeks into rehearsal I can safely say that I think it’s going to be rather good, to say the least. Or, to quote a few people in the rehearsal room yesterday “This isn’t shit at all!” It’s a great play, that Shakespeare chap did seem to have a vague idea what he was doing, and in the hands of my talented cohorts I think we are building quite the theatrical, sumptuous feast! Come grab a seat in a few weeks and chow-down!

Dorje Swallow can be seen in As You Like It, by Bell Shakespeare.
Show dates: 21 Feb – 28 Mar, 2015 (the show then heads to Canberra and Melbourne)
Show venue: Sydney Opera House

Review: The Credeaux Canvas (Lambert House Enterprises)

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lamberthouseVenue: Seymour Centre (Chippendale NSW), Jan 29 – Feb 14, 2015
Playwright: Keith Bunin
Director: Ross McGregor
Cast: Emilie Cocquerel, Carmen Duncan, Felix Johnson, James Wright

Theatre review
In Keith Bunin’s The Credeaux Canvas, the commodification of art and youthful ambition are explored through the intertwined lives of three young Americans in 2001 New York City. This is a story of broken dreams and deceit, as well as the often underplayed hardships of growing up. On the surface, Bunin’s characters have everything in the world going for them, each with talent, intelligence and social access, but they make choices that are doomed from the start, and all have to pay the price for their mistakes. The play delves into relationships and events, but leaves us to question the ways humans err, and to investigate what it is that likens us to the moth that gets burned by a flame.

This is a handsome production, beautifully and thoughtfully designed to evoke an accurate sense of time, space, and drama. Emma Vine’s set of a dilapidated apartment is executed with sophistication and flair, and lighting by Liam O’Keefe adds variety and nuance to scenes with careful subtlety. A highlight of the show is music by Christopher Gordon, who takes charge of scene transitions with great imagination and impressive elegance.

Ross McGregor directs the show with a passionate sensibility. He tries to keep scenes active and lively, but is restricted by individual abilities of his cast. Leading lady Emilie Coquerel is polished and energetic, but her character never feels believable enough, although it must be said that her transformations are depicted with good clarity. The key role of Winston is played by James Wright, who brings a natural naiveté to the painter’s wide-eyed entrance into adulthood. Both Coquerel and Wright can be overly self-conscious, most notably in a nude scene where the actors engage uncomfortably in a long conversation, revealing not much more than their bodies.

Felix Johnson is a dynamic performer who shows great commitment in his supporting part of Jamie, with an endearing emotional volatility that allows us to identify and engage with his narrative. Veteran actor Carmen Duncan appears in just one scene, but blinds the audience with her formidable talent and skill. She plays art collector Tess with sensational presence and brilliant humour, captivating the crowd in a way that only extensive experience and that enviable star quality can.

Death is mentioned several times in The Credeaux Canvas, and indeed, life is short, and although we only have one chance at it, mistakes are made so that they can be rectified, and through regret, we can grow. There is a darkness to the play’s conclusion with its characters finding themselves at a juncture where they can either continue on roads of destruction, or make a change for the better. It is a significant point in time for them, but their story gives us the knowledge that every moment is an opportunity to move, from the dark to the light.

www.facebook.com/credeauxcanvas

Review: Beyond Therapy (Understudy Theatre)

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understudytheatreVenue: King Street Theatre (Newtown NSW), Jan 28 – Feb 14, 2015
Playwright: Christopher Durang
Director: Johann Walraven
Cast: Tel Benjamin, David Hooley, Andrew Johnston, Rebecca Scott, Nadia Townsend, Jasper Whincop

Theatre review
Christopher Durang’s sensational Beyond Therapy was first staged in 1981, at a time when psychotherapy and counselling were just arriving into the consciousness of the mainstream. Unlike the tendency today to class every colourful mode of behaviour and thought pattern as dysfunction of one sort or another, the play emerges from a period which paid attention to the peculiarities of human expression to locate machinations that might be able to provide explanations to our ever-present existential angst. The inevitable interrogation of normalcy, and the dismantlement of conventional expectations takes pride of place in Durang’s meditation on life for the thirtysomethings, but Johann Walraven’s direction of the piece does not always adhere to that sense of chaotic ideology. Walraven’s exploration of the play comes from a realistic perspective, trying to find coherence in what is essentially absurd and wild at heart. His need to find understanding is entirely reasonable, but the approach causes a muting of what could have been a comedy that guffaws at a much higher octane. The show is about being crazy, and although Walraven does not forget that fact, his interest in grounding the action in a place of logic sometimes gets in the way.

Performances by the cast of six are committed and focused, but an air of restraint permeates the atmosphere. The material requires no straitjacket, and when the actors find moments of abandonment, the production clicks right into position. Nadia Townsend plays Dr Wallace with a kind of Saturday Night Live sensibility, playing for laughs rather than earnest authenticity and her approach works well. There is no need for actors to provide explanation for Durang’s words because they are loud and clear on their own. They should, however, bring an energy to the stage that embodies a manic universe that the text is keen to reveal, so that its raucous comedy can be unleashed. Chemistry in the work is honest and resolutely present, especially in a sequence that sees Rebecca Scott’s character Prudence taunting the patrons at a restaurant. The ensemble loses its self consciousness and takes on an exciting unhinged humour, delivering some of the biggest laughs of the show.

Themes in Beyond Therapy are timeless and universal. It talks about growing up and marriage, within a context that investigates the meanings of sanity and social acceptability. Great art attempts to excavate the layers of fictions that we place between our daily lives and a sense of truth that seems to lie in an irrefutable core somewhere. We go about our business moving from one day to the next with the niggling suspicion that most of what we do is farcical, and entirely laughable if not desperately pointless. Yet, most of us would rather play the role of the sane, persisting with the anxieties and uncertainty of a life done in appropriateness. We believe that the alternative is out there, but we are afraid of what it might present, especially when madness begins to look no more closer to truth than our private falsities.

www.kingstreettheatre.com.au

5 Questions with Anna Freeland

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annafreelandWhat is your favourite swear word?
Fuck. Especially when said with an English accent. So classy.

What are you wearing?
A grey knit jumper, patterned trackies & socks. Sorry Sydney, what Summer?

What is love?
A hard thing to define without cheapening it. For me it’s a treasured and beauteous thing. It’s also the person who drives me places and looks after me when I’m sick, makes me cups of tea and watches Parks & Rec with me.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Miracle City at The Hayes. It was epic. Blazey Best had me simultaneously in stitches and tears. 4.5 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Any good? Suzy, you’re gonna have the time of your life! Honestly though, it’s a fantastic show to be a part of; the music is provocative, the story is classic and the dancing is dirty, what’s not to love?

Anna Freeland can be seen in Dirty Dancing, the musical.
Show dates: until Feb 22, 2015 in Sydney (the show then heads to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.)
Show venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre

5 Questions with Anna Colless

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annacollessWhat is your favourite swear word?
I heard a friend say fudgeknuckles the other day and I’ve rather taken to it. Mostly because I can’t figure out what on earth inspired her to come up with it.

What are you wearing?
A luxurious fur, elbow-length gloves and a suave new hat. Oh wait that’s not a mirror, that’s a painting… Nevermind.

What is love?
Love is everything.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
I saw Doorstep Arts’ production of Next To Normal at the Hayes Theatre, and I’d give it a solid 4 stars. Or to put it another way, 1 star for every time I was moved to tears. It was a phenomenal show.

Is your new show going to be any good?
If the little I have seen so far is anything to judge by, it’s going to be a heck of a lot more than good! You really don’t want to miss this chance to see such an incredible show performed by what is truly a stellar cast!

Anna Colless is in A Little Night Music by The Sydney University Musical Theatre Ensemble.
Show dates: 25 -28 Mar, 2015
Show venue: Seymour Centre

5 Questions with Sheridan Harbridge

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sheridanharbridgeWhat is your favourite swear word?
I’ve always been fond of douche rag and cunt wad.

What are you wearing?
An old faded summer dress, tights for rehearsals, and fluro yellow plastic shoes. It’s as terrible as it sounds.

What is love?
Sleep ins. Eggs, coffee and sharing a good view.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Yana Alana Between The Cracks. ‘Twas excellent stuff.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Of course! I’m in it! And I’ll try and get my fluro shoes in it too.

 
Sheridan Harbridge is appearing in Gaybies, part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras festival programme.
Show dates: 6 Feb – 8 Mar, 2015
Show venue: Eternity Playhouse