Tag Archives: old 505 theatre

Review: Machine (Eclective Productions)

Posted in Theatre by

rsz_10245432_622290321179288_1955330957718505088_nVenue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Apr 16 – 20, 2014
Playwright: Melissa Lee Speyer
Director: Rachel Chant
Actors: Lucy Heffernan, David Jackson

Theatre review
Suicide often finds its way into art. It is the most direct contemplation on the value and meaning of life, when questioning “to be or not to be”. Melissa Lee Speyer’s Machine is a pessimistic appraisal of life, and a work that embodies great sensitivity and beauty in its melancholy.

Rachel Scane channels that sense of resignation into her set design.It is basic and cold, but elegantly executed. Together with lighting designer Benjamin Brockman’s work, the space is cleverly transformed into a purgatory of sorts, with a sense of ethereality and impending doom.

Machine‘s story of suicide features Lucy Heffernan as Christine, and David Jackson as her guardian angel. The structure of the play interestingly places focus on the angel who takes us through events in Christine’s life, and her subsequent decision to end it. He also gives the impression from early on, that she is safe in his hands, even in the midst of her depression. As a result, the stakes are never high in the show. The assurance he provides, detaches us from Christine’s predicament, and even though Heffernan’s performance is committed and strong, we do not connect with her suffering. We know that Christine is being watched over, regardless of how things may end. Jackson has conviction in his acting, but the lack of experience and confidence is evident. It is noteworthy however, that Jackson’s smaller subsidiary roles are performed well when he takes the form of Christine’s encounters.

The Angel seems to be the problem. If it is the intention of the artists to create a work that is emotionally involving, we need more access to Christine. Her pain is universal, but we need to feel closer for the drama to work. She has much to divulge, but her Angel shields too much for her, and from us. The girl needs to stand alone.

www.facebook.com/EclectiveProductions

Review: Hilt (Mirror Mirror)

Posted in Theatre by

hiltVenue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Mar 12 – 30, 2014
Playwright: Jane Bodie
Director: Dominic Mercer
Actors: Alexandra Aldrich, Joanna Downing, Stephen Multari, Sam O’Sullivan

Theatre review
Jane Bodie’s script seduces with intrigue and structural complexity. Her characters divulge little of themselves, but we witness their interchanges at close range. At play is the way these contemporary Australians interact with each other, and we see how connections are formed in our modern lives. Bodie sets up what at first seems to be unconventional relationships, but over the course of her storytelling, we begin to question whether these are exceptional cases that we witness, or actually, a rare confession of common experiences.

Direction and performances tend towards naturalism, which makes Hilt “audience friendly”, turning challenging ideas into digestible concepts. Director Dominic Mercer succeeds in creating believable characters and communicating details of their stories, but could benefit from taking a little artistic license in expression. Real life sometimes needs sprucing up for the stage.

Mercer’s cast is a focused one, and all have clear trajectories with their individual motivations and destinations. Alexandra Aldrich plays Kate with a lot of graveness, which is an accurate depiction of the dark world in which she dwells, but prevents some of the dialogue from being more dramatic and punchy. Stephen Multari is effective in highly emotive scenes that require anger and frustration. Both actors seem constrained by the subtle and minimalist setting. Supporting actors Joanna Downing and Sam O’Sullivan provide excellent support and necessary lightness, helping add variety to the show’s palette of moods.

This is an Australian story that is as valid as any. It does however, have an unexpected sophistication in the incisive way it talks about family, marriage and sex. Nothing in the twenty-first century can truly be claimed as being unique to any cosmopolitan city, but Hilt certainly articulates a lot about what life today is like in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc. It provides a mirror into the things we do. Its accuracy and originality might be disorientating, but good art is known to do that.

www.venue505.com/theatre

Review: We’re Bastards (Two Peas)

Posted in Theatre by

bastards1Venue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Feb 6 – 23, 2014
Playwright: Oleg Pupovac
Director: Glen Hamilton
Actors: Tara Clark, Oleg Pupovac
Image by Anna Chase

Theatre review
We’re Bastards is a play that doesn’t go anywhere, about people who don’t go anywhere. Everything seems congested, but within the stagnation, an abundance of characterisation is explored in its main characters. Darling and Joe are siblings living in the disenfranchised lower classes of the United States of America. Their concerns are a world away from our middle class Australian theatre audiences, but they are a pair of oddities that instantly spark our interest. It is a bit of a freak show that unfolds, but care is taken to attempt an explanation for the damage they display.

Oleg Pupovac’s script might be too simple for some tastes, but his strength as an actor shines through within the straightforward context. Pupovac achieves a level of realism with his speech and movement that gives the production a feel of authenticity. His chemistry with Tara Clark, who plays his sister, is a highlight of the show. There is a level of intimacy between the actors that comes across, and adds complexity and mystery to their relationship.

Glen Hamilton’s direction is colourful and energetic, but his style is gentle, which sometimes comes into conflict with the script that resides in a space simultaneously cold and brutal. We’re Bastards is a brave work that takes on a time and place that is ignored but intriguing. It is about the third world that is sprouting in our own backyards in this age of increasingly severe class divisions. We all have a stake in this bastardry/illegitimacy, but it is too easy to turn a blind eye, and it is the job of art to impose these stories of injustices upon us.

www.venue505.com/theatre

Suzy Goes See’s Best Of 2013

Posted in Special by
Images from a few 2013 stand-outs: A Sign Of The Times, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All My Sons, Hamlet, Empire: Terror On The High Seas, Hay Fever, Bodytorque.Technique, Waiting For Godot.

Images from a few 2013 stand-outs: A Sign Of The Times, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All My Sons, Hamlet, Empire: Terror On The High Seas, Hay Fever, Bodytorque.Technique, Waiting For Godot.

This is a wrap up of special moments since the commencement of Suzy Goes See in April 2013. A personal selection from over 100 productions seen in Sydney. Thank you to artists, companies, publicists and punters who have supported Suzy Goes See in 2013. I cannot wait for more shenanigans with you in the new year!

Update: Click here for the Best Of 2014 list.

Suzy x

♥ Avant Garde Angels
The bravest and most creative experimental works in 2013.

♥ Quirky Questers
The most unusual and colourful characters to appear on our stages in 2013.

♥ Design Doyennes
Outstanding visual design in 2013. Fabulous lights, sets and costumes.

♥ Darlings Of Dance
Breathtaking brilliance in the dance space of 2013.

♥ Musical Marvels
Outstanding performers in cabaret and musicals in 2013.

♥ Second Fiddle Superstars
Scene-stealers of 2013 in supporting roles.

♥ Champs Of Comedy
The cleverest, sharpest, and funniest performances of 2013.

♥ Daredevils Of Drama
Bold and excellent acting in dramatic roles in 2013.

♥ Wise With Words
The most interesting and intelligent scripts of 2013.

♥ Directorial Dominance
The most impressive work in direction for 2013.

♥ Shows Of The Year
Nice coincidence to have different genres represented: drama, musical, dance, comedy and cabaret.

♥ Suzy’s Special Soft Spot
For an exceptional work I saw in Melbourne.

End

Best of 2018 | Best of 2017 | Best of 2016 | Best of 2015 | Best Of 2014

Decadence (Apriori Projects)

Posted in Theatre by

decadence1Venue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Dec 4 – 7, 2013
Playwright: Steven Berkoff
Director: Serhat Caradee
Actors: Katherine Shearer, Rowan McDonald

Theatre review
Steven Berkoff’s script Decadence is essentially about morality, and it displays thoroughly and explicitly, the manifestations of immorality within the context of 1980s Thatcherite Britain. It is bold writing in verse form, with emphasis on language and character dynamics, and minimal reliance on conventional narrative structures. Berkoff’s characters are cold and obnoxious. This is not the kind of play that inspires empathy or identification, but it is persistently fascinating.

Serhat Caradee’s direction focuses squarely on the performances of his two leads, and his efforts pay off with excellent work from the actors. Caradee is particularly strong in sustaining the high energy, almost chaotic tone of the show, while giving texture and layers to what is basically a play based on a singular idea. There are a few moments, however, where one could imagine a greater user of space. Whether it be additional performers, multimedia elements, or set and props, various supplementary components could have been introduced to magnify some of the dramatics, even though the relatively bare staging does have its charms.

Katherine Shearer’s infectious playfulness endears her instantly to the audience. There is an old-fashioned sensibility to her mode of performance which is full of allure, and perfectly suited to the era in which the action is set. She brings a joy to the stage, providing a welcome counterbalance to the dark cynicism of the writing. Rowan McDonald is a highly animated actor, who obviously enjoys the absurdity and biting social criticism of the play. The range of physical, vocal and facial expressions he introduces into his work is truly breathtaking. There is a dogged tenacity to McDonald’s stagecraft that is magnetic, and he holds our attention to present concepts that are sometimes subversive, and always entertaining.

Indeed, Berkoff’s subversive spirit is represented with great success in this production. The energetic and entertaining performers prevent things from being too alienating, but the work’s political edge is thankfully not lost. The message might be a difficult one to take in, but the thrills and spills of the ride are certainly rewarding.

www.venue505.com/theatre

2014 Season Programs In Sydney

Posted in Special by

What to go see? Here’s a handy guide to who’s doing what in 2014.

If you’re reading this in 2013 or early 2014, now is a good time to book your generously discounted season tickets and subscriptions! If you’re accessing this page overseas, here’s a good list for planning your theatre experiences in Sydney in 2014.

The Australian Ballet

The Australian Ballet

Bell Shakespeare

Bell Shakespeare

Belvoir St Theatre

Belvoir St Theatre

Carriageworks

Carriageworks

Darlinghurst Theatre Co

Darlinghurst Theatre Co

Ensemble Theatre

Ensemble Theatre

The Genesian Theatre

The Genesian Theatre

Griffin Theatre Co

Griffin Theatre Co

King Street Theatre

King Street Theatre

New Theatre

New Theatre

The Old 505 Theatre

The Old 505 Theatre

Opera Australia

Opera Australia

Reginald Seymour Centre

Reginald Seymour Centre

Riverside Theatres

Riverside Theatres

2014-rocksurfers

Rock Surfers Theatre Co

Sydney Dance Co

Sydney Dance Co

Sydney Theatre Co

Sydney Theatre Co

Sydney Independent Theatre Co

Sydney Independent Theatre Co

5 Questions with Rowan McDonald

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by

rowanmcdonaldWhat is your favourite swear word?
Fuck only knows. They’re all so useful in different contexts. I like ones that put a new spin on the old. Arsehat. Cockgoblin. Felchmaster. Or if I really want to insult someone, really disgusting phrases like “choke on my shit” or “go fuck a dead dog’s eyeball”. But sometimes less is more, so it can be just as effective saying something like “he wears the full-fungal jacket downstairs, if you know what I mean”. It’s al about knowing your audience.

What are you wearing?
I’m currently wearing out from the constant barrage of fashionistic pressure to fit in with societal expectations. It’s wearing thin.

What is love?
Love is a symptom of that great irreversible universal condition: gravity. It’s a myth that love is hard to find, don’t let anyone fool you – it was there all along. But whole industries are built around the idea that it’s elusive, so naturally that’s the perception we’re told and that’s what most of us accept. So people go around thinking they haven’t got any, or if they do they need to keep it to themselves, or take someone else’s. Which you can’t do, for love to be any use at all you need to put it out into the world. Because it’s in all of us. It’s what holds us together. The trick is knowing that’s something you give, not something you can have or hold or keep for yourself.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Cristina In The Cupboard, by Paul Gilchrist with subtlenuance. It’s fascinating, full of ideas and implications about history and human behaviour and hermitude. I’m still turning over some of the philosophical nuggets in my mind. I don’t really do star ratings, but if it were mine to give, I’d give it the planet Neptune, because it’s small and beautiful and far out and mysterious and probably overlooked for all its hidden secrets.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Decadence? It’s a new Australian play, written by a British writer (Steven Berkoff) in the 1980’s – also we’ve done it before and got an award from the Sydney Fringe Festival, which doesn’t necessarily make it good. Or Australian. Or New. But if you haven’t seen it then it’s a new work for you, right? And it has Australian actors and an Australian director, so that’s good. And it has some great swear words you hardly ever hear any more, like “bleeding” and some I would never say to anyone in real life, like “slut”, which is very bad. It’s a lot of fun to play, we really throw it out there for the audiences, who seem to have a good time. So that’s good. And I have to wear one of those ridiculous moustaches everyone seems to get these days, so that’s bad. Although my hair is very retro, which if you’re into fashion, is very good. But I get to play two characters, both of whom are very bad. And it’s very physical and verbally demanding, which is good. There’s some terrible eighties dance music, which is bad, but I have an excellent co-star in Katherine Shearer, which is good… well, anyway – you get the idea. We’re doing a short run in Sydney before hitting the Adelaide Fringe Festival in February. You can book tickets through our pozible page (link below), so come and see for yourself!

Rowan McDonald is appearing in Decadence.
Show dates: 4 – 7 Dec, 2013
Show venue: The Old 505 Theatre

Apples And Pears (Barestage Theatre)

Posted in Theatre by

applespears1Venue: Old 505 Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Nov 6 – 24, 2013
Playwright: Sean O’Riordan
Directors: Sean O’Riordan, Deborah Jones
Actors: Sean O’Riordan, Deborah Jones, Geoff Sirmai, Eleanor Ryan
Image by Ahron Eisman

Theatre review
The show opens with a fascinating monologue, featuring lead character Max in his extraordinarily dilapidated home (set design is very successful). Sean O’Riordan’s writing immediately impresses with wit, colour and suspense. The play has a simple premise, but its characters are full of vigour and intrigue.

Geoff Sirmai is perfectly cast as Max. He performs the script’s broad comedy style with flair and conviction, and creates a character that is complex yet relatable. In addition to writing and directing the play, O’Riordan appears admirably in the second half as the villain, but does not generate as much menace and cruelty as the story requires. Deborah Jones is co-director, but proves herself to also be a delightfully vibrant actor. She brings a great deal of energetic flamboyance to the show, and the bawdy quality of her performance is outstanding in her opening scenes.

This is an enjoyable show with a plot filled with playful farce and dark humour. Jones and O’Riordan put the emphasis of their direction squarely on entertainment value, which ensures Apples And Pears to be a real crowd-pleaser.

www.venue505.com/theatre

5 Questions with Katherine Shearer

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by

rsz_katherine-shearer-headshotWhat is your favourite swear word?
Jesus. My parents would kill me if I ever said that in front of them. My mum already said I’m not going to heaven.

What are you wearing?
Not much. I’m a bit of a nudist at heart, but only when I’m home alone. I have underwear on though, I find my sports bra a comfort, and I always love my pair of diamond studs in the ears, which I’m wearing now. And my belly ring.

What is love?
The greatest thing on earth. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and knowing you are in safe hands.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Seeing a legend like Tony Sheldon perform was a thrill. Matt Hetherington, who was super funny and wonderfully engaging, was walking next to me on George St…”Hey, I just saw you on stage!” We had a chat – what a humble guy! Show was slick, which is why I’m not a huge Musical Theatre fan, but the performances are top class. 4 stars. Lost a star for John Wood’s French accent and lack of dance ability. Anne Wood deserved a better dance number!! She was superb and a rocking figure on her!

Is your new show going to be any good?
I’ve been in some shows that have been turkeys. Decadence is not one of those.

Katherine Shearer is starring in Decadence by Steven Berkoff.
Show dates: 4 – 7 Dec, 2013
Show venue: The Old 505 Theatre

5 Questions with Eleanor Ryan

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by

rsz_eleanorryanheadshotWhat is your favourite swear word?
It has got to be CUNT!

What are you wearing?
A singlet and undies.

What is love?
Necessary.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Past Tense. 3.5 out of 5.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Swearing, fighting and an unconventional family. It’s going to be so much better than good!

 

Eleanor Ryan is appearing in Apples And Pears.
Show dates: 6 – 24 Nov, 2013
Show venue: The Old 505 Theatre