Review: Tell Me Again (Eye Of The Storm / The Old 505 Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

old505 Venue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Dec 3 – 21, 2014
Playwright: Jeanette Cronin
Director: Michael Pigott
Cast: Jeanette Cronin, James Lugton

Theatre review
The stage is a sacred space. It has endless possibilities, and many have occupied and used it for different purposes, to achieve every imaginable effect and result. Jeanette Cronin’s Tell Me Again shows a love and respect for the theatrical form and its audience, aiming to provide a moment in time with something deeply emotional, perhaps making us feel things in a way that our real daily lives are too fragile or restless to permit. Cronin’s play invites us to encounter what is truest of the human experience, by instigating a series of raw and naked visceral responses by removing the protection of narrative and logic. It is poetry in motion that encourages us to get in touch with the the spirit within that compels us toward every action, yet that internal essence seldom seeks to be the centre of attention. For these 80 minutes, we come face to face with it, and it is sublime.

Direction and design of the work by Michael Pigott creates an inviting beauty that lets us connect with the work in a place that story usually resides. He engages our curiosity and we begin to apply our own stories to what he lets us experience. Where there is emotion, there is a human need to explain and understand its origin, and it is the spectator’s own creativity that is summoned in Tell Me Again. Pigott’s work is extremely tender and sensitive, but there is also an uninhibitedness that prevents things from becoming predictable. There are instances however, where the show seems to drift away from our consciousness, as we indulge in the ideas it inspires, but it invariably pulls us back with touches of drama and passion.

Flawless performances by Cronin and James Lugton produce a couple of characters palpable in their authenticity, and stunning with chemistry. Lugton’s minimal approach strips away layers of affectation so that only the very essential is left, and exposed like fresh wounds. It is a physical manifestation of the concept of love, not always immediate and recognisable, but incredibly moving and profound at the end. Cronin is intense but quiet, with a wild and devastating power barely hidden, explosive secrets brimming under the surface. The role she plays is strange but not a stranger. In fact, the complexities Cronin displays are familiar, feeling like private flashbacks unfolding before our eyes despite the peculiarity of the play’s eccentric plot.

We cannot live in a constant state of elevated sentimentality, but leaving emotions concealed is on one hand damaging and on the other, an unfortunate deprivation. Feelings are scary things, but Tell Me Again turns them seductive and irresistible. The indulgence in sadness and melancholy is an occasional necessity, and art is its friendly abettor, but in this production, escapism is not to be found, and the pain that remains, is naked.

www.venue505.com/theatre

11Dec2014

Review: Rupert (Stage Mogul / Theatre Royal)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

Venue: Theatre Royal (Sydney NSW), Nov 25 – Dec 20, 2014
Playwright: David Williamson
Director: Lee Lewis
Actors: James Cromwell, Jane Turner, Guy Edmonds, Scott Sheridan, Hai Ha Le, Bert LaBonte, John Leary, Jane Phegan, Ben Wood, Glenn Hazeldine, Danielle Cormack

Theatre review
Biographies of fascinating people appeal to our inquisitive nature. We want to know how people tick, to discover reason behind behaviour, and to uncover secrets of the rich and famous. Rupert Murdoch is one of the world’s most well-known business people, with a personal and professional history that is documented ubiquitously in the public domain. David Williamson’s script is a chronological rehash of Murdoch’s many milestones, but does not provide analysis or insight that might offer a fresh perspective of the prominent figure. The plot reads like a Wikipedia entry, with one key event after another, none of which is surprising and everything is predictable.

Director Lee Lewis does an admirable job of creating a dynamic and colourful show from the plain script. The show feels like a Broadway musical with bells and whistles in every scene taking focus away from the lack of story and drama. Lewis does her best to add excitement with well paced and energetic sequences, but at over two hours, our attention struggles to stay interested in the deficient narrative. The production is designed successfully, with composer Kelly Ryall and lighting designer Niklas Pajanti both adding flair and inventiveness to the proceedings, and Stephen Curtis’ set and audio-visual elements giving the large performance space focus, shape and texture. Murdoch’s tabloid format takes to the stage, giving us cosmetic lavishness, and distraction from the real issues.

There are two Ruperts in the show. James Cromwell is presented as Murdoch as he is today (complete with Twitter account) telling us his side of the story like a narrator to the piece. Cromwell’s energy is oddly placid, but the actor’s sturdy presence helps him portray the allure of power and wealth convincingly. Guy Edmonds is outstanding as Murdoch in the flashbacks. He is astute, charming and sprightly, with a clarity that engages his audience, and a vibrancy that entertains. Edmonds does all the heavy lifting in the show, and his talent is a real highlight. Jane Turner’s comic abilities deliver a memorable, absurdist version of Margaret Thatcher, and Glenn Hazeldine impresses with a range of characters showcasing his amazing skills at mimicry and farcical exuberance.

So much of Rupert is strong and accomplished, but all the accoutrements in the world will not create a great story with a script as dry as this. All the interesting questions one might ask Murdoch in a personal encounter are not addressed. We leave not learning anything new, not understanding the man behind the madness, and completely unsatisfied.

www.rupertonstage.com

10Dec2014

Review: Absent Friends (Ensemble Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

Venue: Ensemble Theatre (Kirribilli NSW), Dec 4, 2014 – Jan 24, 2015.
Playwright: Alan Ayckbourn
Director: Mark Kilmurry
Cast: Michelle Doake, Darren Gilshenan, Brian Meegan, Jessica Sullivan, Richard Sydenham, Queenie Van De Zandt
Images by Katy Green Loughrey

Theatre review
Theatre is much more than storytelling, but the allure of a captivating narrative is hard to resist. In Alan Ayckbourn’s 1974 play Absent Friends, a vague context is set up as a springboard for innovative use of time and space, and in the case of director Mark Kilmurry’s efforts, to deliver an unusual and unexpected form of comedy that challenges our notions of performance and entertainment. Diana is throwing a tea party for an old friend who is mourning the death of his fiancée. The group comprises six distinct and diverse personalities, each independently fascinating but unified by a mode of presentation clearly established by Kilmurry.

The show is often absurd and slapstick in tone, and we find ourselves laughing at inane moments that have little to do with the story, but it strives for something that is ultimately quite precise and polished. The enjoyment of the work lies in the way human traits and behaviour are exaggerated so that we recognise parts of life that are usually too subtle to grip our attention. Small things matter, and the production moves focus away from key plot points to emphasise minute interchanges that occur between friends. It encourages us to appreciate friendship not for the impact they may have on major life events, but for the unadulterated bliss derived from physical company and emotional closeness. Kilmurry’s direction is brave, but not always effective. The work depends heavily on the cast’s chemistry with its audience and achieving that familiarity was hit and miss on opening night.

Darren Gilshenan plays Colin, the recently bereaved, with effervescent irony and a mischievous presence. The actor’s sense of humour is a perfect match for the farce that unfolds. We believe the tragedy that Colin experiences, but are also persuaded by Gilshenan’s comic charms and impeccable timing. In the role of Marge is Queenie Van De Zandt, whose considered and dynamic approach provides some of the show’s biggest laughs. Her work is enchanting, exacting and hilarious, with an edginess that provides a vibrant energy whenever she takes centre stage. Michelle Doake and Richard Sydenham both perform outrageously memorable scenes, but are less consistent with their level of engagement with viewers.

We all need to laugh, but what people consider funny is a mystery, and attempts at locating keys to that mystery requires constant reinvention. Absent Friends has an experimental spirit that lights up the theatre. It takes many risks, and while they may not all pay off, the work impresses with its exhilarating and original take on live performance. The play may be forty years-old, but the jokes it presents are fresh as a daisy.

Absent Friends 2014 Ensemble Theatre

www.ensemble.com.au

10Dec2014

5 Questions with Kyle Stephens

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by Suzy Wrong

kylestephens What is your favourite swear word?
It’s a kids’ show. Sugar Honey Ice Tea.

What are you wearing?
Well this is embarrassing but I’m wearing a tiger onesie.

What is love?
Love is what I share with my lovely girlfriend Amy Fisher. It’s like a sore tummy except with joy on top of it… and hugs haha.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
The last thing I saw that wasn’t what I was working on was Ruthless at the Seymour Centre. It was 10 out of 10.

Is your new show going to be any good?
It’s going to be amazing.

Kyle Stephens is in Mother Goose by Emu Productions.
Show dates: 8 -23 Dec, 2014
Show venue: King Street Theatre

9Dec2014

Review: Cinderella (Belvoir St Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

Venue: Belvoir St Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Nov 13 – Dec 14, 2014
Playwright: Matthew Whittet (based on an original concept by Anthea Williams)
Director: Anthea Williams
Cast: Mandy McElhinney, Matthew Whittet
Images by Brett Boardman

Theatre review
Fairy tales appeal to our basic desires. They address our need to be acknowledged and exalted, which is probably why they so often take the form of love stories. Matthew Whittet and Anthea Williams’s Cinderella is about our need for love, but it seeks to transform the fantasies and lies of Disney world, relocating it to a space of truth, lived experience, and disappointment. Its characters Ashley and Ash, are thoroughly familiar beings who remind us of ourselves and of people we meet everyday. They are strangers in the night who reach out to each other, hoping for a connection, and it is that possibility of a soul finding its other half that touches and engages us.

When both Ashleys meet, their accidental encounter is an awkward one. They are not brassy personalities, and their attempts at stretching beyond their individual comfort zones in the act of seduction becomes the comedic core of the production. The actors are brilliant comics who deliver laughs with precision, but the plot feels repetitive in its emphasis on creating jokes from that incessant awkwardness that subsumes the otherwise interesting development of character and relationship that takes place under the surface. A major tonal shift finally occurs in the last quarter of the show, bringing a breath of fresh air along with immense poignancy. The conclusion is beautifully crafted, although the depth that is eventually exposed feels sadly momentary.

The charismatic Whittet plays Ash with an attractive ease, consistently amusing his audience with a quirky instinctual approach. The actor has a slight physique and his countenance is plain, but the magnetic presence he adds to the stage assertively demands our attention, determined to entertain at every opportunity. Also enjoyable is Mandy McElhinney, who presents herself as a committed comedian, always sensitive to punchlines and timing. Her enthusiasm for creating laughter is infectious, but it also alienates us from the emotional arc of her character’s journey. We wish to dive into Ashley’s experience, but often find ourselves pushed out to observe only the funny side of scenarios. It is noteworthy that McElhinney and Whittet perform the final dark scenes with excellent and surprising intensity, leaving us wishing for more of their serious sides.

This Cinderella is an accurate and timely representation of romance in the digital age. Technology and commerce have penetrated every aspect of our lives, yet some of our notions of love and relationships are adamantly traditional and wholesome. The show looks at how we survive loneliness, and the meaning of sex and relationships in the era of dating apps and casual hook ups. The reality is unbearably grim, but it is human to shield our vulnerability with dreams. In affairs of the heart, delusions and hope are two sides of the same coin, and only the ones looking at the stars will stand a chance of fleeing the gutter.

Cinderella 2014 Belvoir St Theatre

www.belvoir.com.au

7Dec2014

Review: Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful? (Fernerkle / Jordy Shea Theatrical)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

jordyshea Venue: Sydney Theatre School (Chippendale NSW), Dec 3 – 14, 2014
Writer: Malcolm Frawley
Director: Malcolm Frawley
Cast: Josephine Waller, Stephen Bracken, Sarah Westhoff, Lauren Maddever, Genevieve Jarrett, Eleni Panayi, Emma Medbury, Demitra Sealy, Benjamin Hanly, Bass Hathaway, Claire Gandy, Ellis Neil, Nick Logan, Robert Carne

Theatre review
The play begins the day before Tegan and Silas are to wed, but Tegan quickly initiates a flashback to show us how the young couple had met and their subsequent journey towards matrimony. There is nothing extraordinary about their love story, in fact things are astonishingly plain. In an early scene, maid of honour Chloe mentions taking ecstasy in a club, but Tegan promptly reminds her that this version of events is to be revised for polite public consumption, indicating a tale that might be embellished and imaginary, but is sorely lacking in authenticity and truth.

Malcolm Frawley’s script and direction is strangely reminiscent of pantomime, yet it attempts to deal with adult subject matter. There is a lot of interest in sexuality and fidelity, although those themes are never explored with any depth or originality, and words like “slut” are used liberally presumable to criticize female sexual behaviour (or maybe just for comic effect). The lovebirds go through some incredibly trivial tensions in their relationship, but we are never too concerned because their story’s happy ending had already been revealed in the play’s introduction.

Leading lady Josie Waller holds the production together with excellent conviction, but is unable to elevate the role beyond something quite surface and disappointingly unintelligent. Stephen Bracken is the handsome Silas, but the play presents him with no challenge and few lines, often requiring him only to look bewildered and worried. Lauren Maddever has the unenviable task of playing Sophie, a young woman who has to subject herself to a series of makeovers in order to rid herself of her idiosyncratic appearance, as though turning into one of the crowd would deliver her from unhappiness. Bass Hathaway plays a series of characters, leaving a strong impression with his comedic abilities. In the role of Kelvin, he is genuinely funny playing a love struck young man hypnotised by the woman of his dreams.

It is disconcerting that Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful?‘s archaic notions of gender roles are central to its plot and narratives. There is also an immaturity on many fronts that makes the production feel underdeveloped and unstudied, even though it is obviously put together with earnestness. Like Sophie, artists can sometimes be derivative in their approach. The show takes the form of something familiar, and while it is not realistic to expect everything in the theatre to be original, it does not offer anything fresh or amusing. It has an adventurous spirit, but it needs to find greater inventiveness, to say something that had not already been said too many times before.

www.ferknerkle.com

23Nov2014

Review: Belle Of The Cross (Harlos Productions / Sydney Independent Theatre Company)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

sitco2 Venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Nov 18 – 29, 2014
Playwright: Angelika Fremd
Director: David Ritchie
Cast: Gertraud Ingeborg, Colleen Cook
Image by Katy Green Loughrey

Theatre review
Sydney’s Kings Cross is completely unique. Always controversial, vibrant and newsworthy, the area is a tiny geographical spot, but its infamy reaches far and wide. Residents of the precinct range from the very wealthy to the impoverished, including the homeless who often gravitate towards its parks and colourful alleyways. Angelika Fremd’s Belle Of The Cross is not biographical, but Belle is a composite, created from Fremd’s observations of “streeties” in the neighbourhood during her eight years at the Cross. The play is poetic, atmospheric and emotional, with only a light narrative thread holding scenes together. The writer depicts the extraordinary community with affection and dignity, rejecting contexts of mental illness that might cause a reductive reading of her subject matter.

Direction of the work by David Ritchie is sensitive to the considerations of the script, and he builds a sense of grace into the production, but its unrelenting gentleness prevents sufficient dramatic tension from taking hold. Scene changes tend to be overly subtle, with indistinct shifts in time and mood. Gertraud Ingeborg’s performance in the title role personifies warmth and sincerity. Her focus is impressive, and even though the stillness in her presence gives weight to the show, a lack of tonal variation results in a character that does not seem to develop adequately. Belle is an interesting personality that we have a lot of curiosity about, but the play needs to provide more insight to satisfy our desire to know her.

We all have times of loneliness, but Belle’s struggle is to do with isolation and aloneness. Although she is quite content with her own company, we must question our capacity and willingness as neighbours and community to furnish an environment that is safe and nourishing. Homelessness is a complex issue, one that crosses paths with a society’s stance on human rights and its economic ideologies. Belle Of The Cross gives a voice to the often seen but rarely heard, and is therefore essential and important, if we believe ourselves to be civilised.

www.sitco.net.au

23Nov2014

Review: The Les Robinson Story (Type Faster Productions / Sydney Independent Theatre Company)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

sitco1 Venue: Old Fitzroy Theatre (Woolloomooloo NSW), Nov 18 – 29, 2014
Playwright: Kieran Carroll
Director: Ron Hadley
Cast: Martin Portus, Matt Thomson
Image by Katy Green Loughrey

Theatre review
When a person commits their life to the arts, it is often a conscious decision to go against many societal expectations, and therefore, to become resolutely anti-conformist. Many struggle to make ends meet, and few achieve great critical success, yet there are those who persist through hardship, believing that it is their devotion to their art that provides the greatest meaning. Les Robinson was a Sydney writer who had had only one book published, The Giraffe’s Uncle, in 1933. Between the 1920s and 1960s, the eccentric figure lived a one-man bohemia in shacks and caves around the Sydney harbour, listening to records, fishing and of course, writing.

Kieran Carroll’s lovingly crafted play immortalises a forgotten soul, one whose stories provide us with insight into an unusual life, and a fresh perspective of the city that we love. Carroll’s work is deeply melancholic, but it is also wonderfully inspiring. We hear about iconic artists everyday, but to learn about one of the others, is unexpectedly comforting. The Les Robinson Story could easily be a depressing one, but Ron Hadley’s direction takes care to serve up the joy with the sorrow, always leading us to the light at the end of each dark tunnel. The depiction of time’s passage however, could be made clearer, in order for us to gain a more detailed impression of the character’s evolution.

Martin Portus is not a neglected writer living under a bridge, but the actor certainly makes us believe that he and Robinson are one and the same. The level of authenticity he achieves is the great beauty of this staging. Portus’ presence is strong and sturdy, and his eagerness to share this buried tale is quite moving. As with all great storytellers, we often find ourselves suspended in time with the performer, losing awareness of before and after, completely captivated by right now.

The Les Robinson Story might be about disappointments, loss and regret, but it will be remembered for the man’s spiritedness and his tenacity at living a life of truth and honesty. Robinson never pretended to be anything but his genuine self, and that alone trumps everything else.

www.sitco.net.au

22Nov2014

Review: River (The Old 505 Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

Venue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Nov 18 – 23, 2014
Playwright: Claire Lovering
Cast: Claire Lovering
Workshopping and Dramaturgy: Sarah Giles
Image by Gez Xavier Mansfield

Theatre review
River is a monologue about an unassuming woman. Her life is ordinary and her stories are pedestrian, but the poignancy of Claire Lovering’s work as writer and performer, forces us to look past the subject’s plainness, and relate to River as one human being should another, with empathy and a sense of generosity. Lovering’s gentle approach means that the show’s themes are kept vague, allowing the audience to find meaning however it chooses. Her truthful revelations find resonance, even though her experiences are highly idiosyncratic. We understand and identify with the humanity that is put on display, and Lovering’s thorough exploration into her character’s quirks and desires results in something individualistic finding a universality in the theatrical space.

Performance of the work is confident and very compelling. Lovering’s will to connect with the audience ensures that all the text’s nuances are delivered with clarity, and that we always feel close to the character. There is a warm openness to the actor’s presence that sustains our attention, and we find ourselves interested in every minute detail that River is keen to share. Lovering’s talent is clear to see, but the work sits a little too comfortably within her range of abilities. Finding greater challenges for the actor would provide a unique tension that only live theatre can offer.

The very subtle work by composer and sound designer Nate Edmondson and lighting designer Benjamin Brockman might be easy to overlook, but their efficacy at controlling ambience is quite perfect. Within the understated aesthetic requirements of the production, they have found creative space to demonstrate innovation and sensitive flair.

Loneliness is a strange creature. It torments, but it is also the instigator of change, and success. River travels through life with no great plan or destination, but she stops to smell all the roses, and welcomes the gifts that she stumbles upon. The cosmos does not adhere to any individual’s demands, but it holds great promise for anyone who is willing to receive its riches.

www.venue505.com/theatre

20Nov2014

Review: Sweeney Todd (New Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by Suzy Wrong

Venue: New Theatre (Newtown NSW), Nov 18 – Dec 20, 2014
Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Libretto: Hugh Wheeler
Director: Giles Gartrell–Mills
Cast: Josh Anderson, Erin Bogart, Briony Burnes, Jamie Collette, Justin Cotta, Daisy Cousens, Courtney Glass, Michael Jones, Jaimie Leigh Johnson, Lucy Miller, Carl Olsen, Joel Paszkowski, Steven Ritchie, Chelsea Taylor, Aimee Timmins, Simon Ward, Byron Watson
Photographs © Bob Seary

Theatre review
We all love a musical that has everything; humour, drama, talent, surprise and great music. All this is found in Giles Gartrell-Mills’ production of Sweeney Todd for the New Theatre, along with a good deal of ingenious low budget innovation, and a healthy dose of morbidity. It appears that Stephen Sondheim’s famous work can be staged without complex set designs and special effects, as long as gifted individuals are committed to presenting the best of their abilities, and an astute director is at the centre orchestrating an amalgamation that features all the strengths of each collaborator.

With Sweeney Todd, Gartrell-Mills shows that he is a man of excellent taste who has a brave approach to the theatrical arts. The emotions are big in his musical, as are the characters and their singing, but everything converges to tell a fascinating story that grips and entertains us, while making the many outrageous scenarios seem entirely believable. He has a wonderful team of seventeen performers at his disposal, and is careful to position each one in the most flattering light, so that the best singers can deliver breathtakingly powerful notes, and the strongest actors can impress with their delicious flair and intensity.

Justin Cotta plays the Demon Barber of Fleet Street with a grand and magnetic madness. The agility in his body and face, along with a professional awareness of how his character is perceived with every subtle shift in gesture and look, contribute to a performance that is precise, polished and very delightful. His voice is not perfectly suited to the material, but he sings it all with exuberance and accuracy. Similarly, Lucy Miller is not the best singer in the world for the role of Mrs Lovett, but the abundance of skills she displays, brings to life one of the stage’s most interesting and complex figures. Miller is charming, strong and instinctual. The several startling twists her character reveals are brilliantly performed, and her star quality shines brightly in the production. We cannot keep our eyes away from everything she presents, and she deserves every ovation awarded for her work in this production.

This review will not discuss every performer’s work but the entire support cast is truly fabulous. In the role of the Beggar Woman is Courtney Glass, who steals the show at each small appearance, with her sublime vocals and meticulous acting. Glass’ part is a smaller one, but she is flawless at every turn. Byron Watson does not have the right physicality for Judge Turpin but his voice is a highlight of the production. His deep and tremorous baritone brings an operatic sensibility to Sondheim’s music, and we lose ourselves in the beautiful baroque flavour of the compositions.

Liam Kemp’s achievement as musical director and pianist cannot be understated. He has condensed the score to an absolute minimum, with just himself, plus a violinist and a double bassist providing accompaniment for the whole show. The three-piece outfit pulls off an unbelievable feat, creating a soundscape that is dynamic, emotional and theatrical, culminating in a Bernard Herrmann inspired moment where Sweeney Todd meets Norman Bates, and the suspense becomes almost too much to bear. Also outstanding is the set design, comprised of three simple pieces in a hundred configurations, exposing Gartrell-Mills’ imagination to be wildly remarkable. His use of space is quite extraordinary, and one cannot resist imagining what he may be able to achieve with a more substantial design budget.

Musicals are best consumed sentimental, and Gartrell-Mills delivers this dark tale with a big emotional punch. Many of the characters are deplorable and nasty, yet we are seduced into connecting with them, and sometimes even identifying with them. They live in a world far removed from our realities, but we understand their desires and motivations, and we invest heavily into their stories of revenge and murder. We do not think of independent theatre as the best platform for the majestic, opulent musical, but on this occasion, David has emerged seemingly out of nowhere, to slash the throat of Goliath in awesome splendour.

www.newtheatre.org.au