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Athenaeum Theatre Lilydale
Bookings: 61 3 9735 1777

 

The Freedom of the City

The Freedom of the City
Director: Doug Bennett

A story written by Brian Friel based on the events that occurred on Bloody Sunday the 30th of January 1972 when 14 innocent civil rights protesters were shot and killed.
Lilydale ATC has chosen to present this just as the Saville Inquiry commissioned by the Blair government, is due to be handed down, some 36 years after the event.
The story is set in the mayoral office in the Guildhall of Derry, Ulster, Northern Ireland.
A first class stage setting with three levels, the street, the office and a wall with a landing. There were three main characters, the civil rights personal who found their way in to the office to avoid gas.
Lily, the mother of 11 children, a 40 plus housewife, was played by Gabrielle O’Brien. A wonderful portrayal of a mother just having a break from her family but with a hidden agenda. O’Brien really captured the character.
Skinner, a young man who lived by his wits and wasn’t above a little petty larceny to live. Liam Jordan played Skinner giving a good performance of the cheerful minor criminal.
Michael was an enthusiastic student very keen on the rights movement and disappointed in his two acquaintances’ outlook of the day. Jason Triggs as Michael, performed very well has good stage projection and handled the role with finesse.
The judge was played by Barry O’Neill who really looked the part and had the correct feel for the role. Sandy Clinton was lecturer Dr Dobbs, a small role and well done.
Rod Flanagan was Brigadier Johnson Hansbury. Flanagan looked the part of an army officer just obeying orders. A fine interpretation.
Adrian Carr gave good performances as a priest, Dr Winbourne and the balladeer.
Les Wallis was a Police Constable, Army Press Officer and barkeep. Wallis captured the roles as envisaged.
 The press photographer, reporter and cameraman were played by Steve Tanner. A fine and realistic portrayal.
Professor Cuppley the coroner was given an authentic feel by Cyril Whitchurch.
The TV commentator, Liam O’Kelly  from Dublin Television was portrayed by Richard Foster who had the correct characteristics for the role.
The three soldiers, Pete Young, soldier 1, Ian Carter, soldier 2, and Luke Privitera, soldier 3; gave a positive and realism feel to their characters.
Technically a great success with gun flashes, correct sound effects and fantastic set.
Upon entering the theatre the audience had the mood set by a fully armed soldier each side of the stage, who kept the stern face of soldiers in the circumstances.
The guildhall was barricaded by barb wire. All helping to set the mood of the evening and enhancing the play.
A great evening by Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre.

 

The Boy Friend

Director: Kevin Trask.

Music Director: Shirley White

Choreographer: Dianne Crough.

 

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company chose a light hearted frothy musical to close the 2007 season in Sandy Wilson's The Boy Friend. Set on the French Riviera at a Finishing School for Young Ladies where the heroine Polly Browne falls in love with the delivery boy.

Polly Browne was played by Paige Burney who captured the young teenager who did not have a boy friend but then falls for the delivery boy definitely not in her class. A good performance and Burney projects well and has a good stage appearance.

The boy friend Tony was played by Chris Van Raay. Van Raay was a good balance to Paige Burney with a pleasant voice and good projection.

Angeline Thompson, Polly's friend Maisie was given an expert, professional performance by Angeline Thompson. Thompson has a great stage personality, very vivacious and gave an enjoyable performance.

Maisie's boy friend bobby Van Husen was played by Brenton Cosier. Cosier captured the feel of such a character giving a good portrayal and worked well with Thompson.

Polly's other girl friends were Dulcie, played by Becky Lee; Fay played by Amber Terrill; Nancy played by Katrina Vinck. The three gave good performances and their singing and dancing scenes all added to the success of the evening.

The head mistress of the Finishing School was Madame Dubonnet. She was played by Anna Castle who gave a sympathetic feel to Polly's troubles and captured the audience's attention when she met Polly's father and recognised a little of their long forgotten past. Castle had a good rapport with Geoff Collier who played Polly's father Percival Browne.

Collier has good stage projection and caught the feel of an absent father regretting his lack of attention to his daughter.

A light touch was Trevor Blum as Lord Brockhurst who had an eye for the ladies, the younger the better. Blum had a good sense of the comique and did a good portrayal of such a character.

Lady Brockhurst was played by Jackie Hutchison who in her character has her hands full worrying about their missing son and trying to keep Lord Brockhurst on a leash and away from the young ladies. A good performance.

The French maid and the young ladie's confidante was given a wonderful interpretation by Fiona Carter.

Carter kept a good French accent throughout the evening and was good with the young ladies.

The young ladies boy friends were Marcel played by Zac Harb; Pierre played by James Ness; and Alphonse played by Sean Butler All worked well with their young ladies and gave well done performances.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre gave a good well directed production to close the 2007 season..

 

 

 

 

It's My Party (And I'll Die If I Want To)

Director: Doug Bennett.

A delightful Australian black comedy by Elizabeth Coleman about Ron Patterson who has been given three months to live. On the day he is scheduled to die he calls his three children home to have a farewell party and to give the reason for the party. His children, two girls and a boy all have their own hang-ups and the evening changes from a happy family to everyone trying to understand each others issues. Laurie Jezard was Ron Patterson a man still living in the past, not being a good father but now trying to understand his children albeit not too successfully. Jezard captured the 70s Dad with professionalism and gave a wonderful portrayal.
Ron's long suffering wife Dawn was given a great portrayal by Liz Matthews. Dawn only learnt about Ron's forthcoming death that afternoon at 3pm so she hit the champagne early and Matthews captured the essence of the character trying to side with her husband and children.
The eldest daughter Debbie was played by Katie-Jane Amey. Debbie was a single woman whose father was trying to get married off and making comments about her spinster state. Debbie had a secret to shock the family with. Amey captured the character as envisaged giving a good performance, projecting well and has a good stage presence.
Ron's son Michael was played by Richard Foster. Michael like his sister had a secret he did not want to reveal. Foster gave a good performance particular in the most vital moments being interrupted by his mobile phone from his business partner and trying to run his business at the wrong time.
The youngest daughter was Karen, her father's favourite and a spoilt brat. All she could think of was her coming marriage and whining to her father. Emma-Jane Rosendale really captured the character and giving a good performance
Tony Burge was Ted Wilkins the funeral director gave a good comic performance with some funny lines relevant to the occasion.
An excellent set of the lounge room, dining room and through the rear door an full equipped kitchen. The house was set in the 70s although the dialogue was in 2001. This set represented Ron Patterson's 70's attitude on life..

A good evening of entertainment.

 

 

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The Bakerey

Swamp Fox Productions

Tejas Verdes

Director: John Bishop

  An unusual play as it is based on real events and real people Tejas Verdes, which means Green Gables, was the name of a detention and torture centre opened by the Chilean Army in the months following the 1973 coup by General Augusto Pinochet against the world's first democratically elected Marxist government.

The story is told in a series of monologues by five women, The Disappeared & Soul in torment; The Friend, The Informer; The Doctor; The gravedigger; The Spanish Lawyer.

A small intimate theatre with the sides and rear of the stage containing walls of photos of some of the 3000 victims who disappeared at the time. Very effective and moving. The spotlight lit up a girl lying on her back on the floor as f she was crucified on the cross.

This was The Disappeared. Played by Katrina Condor who gave a performance full of feeling as in the monologue she explained what was happening to her, her happy life with her family and now bringing the audience into the realisation of the horror man can do to each other. A good performance and Condor captured the feeling that made the audience sit up and take notice.

Her friend and then informant was played by Kim Ryan. The Friend was also a prisoner in Tejas Verdes. But she succumbed under torture to tell the truth of her friend. When the audience was told the type of torture that compelled her to speak no one could blame her. Ryan gave a great performance in the role from the portrayal of an informer to the sympathy of the audience

A scene at a desk where the Doctor was being interviewed by a commission into the era. Vicki Smith was the Doctor giving s good interpretation of a doctor answering questions. Smith looked up at different parts of the audience as if they were the Commission Members. The Doctor gave the feeling that she had done nothing wrong and could not understand why she was called as a witness.

The gravedigger was next telling the story of life as a grave digger then when the troubled happened giving the grave digger's point of view of the sudden arrival of more and more bodies, the state they were in and the ages of the victims. Roberta Reed as the gravedigger captured the essence of the character giving an interesting and good performance.

The last performer was the Spanish Lawyer for Pinochet. She did not let personal feelings enter her question and answers. She appeared at a press conference answering questions fro unseen members of the press. The audience did not hear the questions ut just her answers to same. Donna Cohen as the Spanish Lawyer captured the role with finesse and also added to the standard of the production.

A very moving evening of theatre and the actors really captured the persona of the characters who as aid in the opening were portrayals of real people of the time. This play brought home the horror of the seventies and a remarkable coincidence the date was 11/9/73 ie 9/11.

 

 

Below  

A story of two English half brothers working in a West Australian Mining town Both now are miners but one is an ex boxer with a past.

The play was the inaugural production for Ferntree Gully's new entertainment venue The Bakery. The Bakery is designed for experimental theatre, small productions and productions not normally seen in the local theatre scene.

Below is perfect for this venue. A cast of three with the audience sitting on two sides and very close to the players giving really intimate theatre.

Donna Cohen was Sarah, Dougie's wife. Donna gave a great positive performance, very physical Her husband Dougie was played by Ron Kofler. Ron was a great balance to Donna giving an excellent performance also a very strong role which Ron handled with finesse. Keith Hutton was Dougie's half brother John. Keith added to the standard set by Ron and Donna giving an excellent portrayal.

The scene was set in the kitchen of a mining town home of the fifties (laminex furniture) and a boxing ring. John was shown fighting but no one else in the ring but the portrayal was so great the other boxer absence was not noticed.

An excellent and flawless production, flowed smoothly and superb acting. Swamp Fox have set themselves a high standard to keep to and their next production is eagerly awaited.

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THE BASIN THEATRE
Bookings: 61 3 9700 3803

The Odd Couple (Female Version)

Director: Don Harrod.

  To close 2007 on a light note The Basin theatre chose Neil Simon's female version of The Odd Couple.

One difference between the male and female versions is that the females Friday night was given to play trivial pursuit instead of poker.

A well constructed and believable set comprising the lounge room entrance and off to the side the kitchen and bedrooms.

The story is that of one of the friends, Florence , has been kicked out by her husband and Olive offers her flat to share until she gets on her feet. The only problem is, which makes the highly entertaining play, that Olive is a slob and Florence is a down and out fusspot.

Dru Bartlett was Florence Ungar, the determined that everything should be properly in its place and no speck of dirt escaped her eagle eye. Bartlett gave a good interpretation to the character but was a little too much over the top. In a production such as this over the top can work but I feel sure that Bartlett can ease it up over the balance of the season.

Her flatmate, the owner of the flat Olive, was played by Susan Carty. A god portrayal and skilfully over the course of the evening captured the feeling of frustration and anger at what Florence was doing to the apartment and her normal slothful ways.

The Friday night friends were Janet Francis as Sylvie, Christine Grant as Mickey the cop. Janet Withers as Vera, not too bright, and Judy Mitchell as Renee. All the players kept p good and even performances in their characters and added to the success of the play.

Drew Smith was Manolo Costazuela and Aaron Baker was Jesus Costazuela he Spanish brothers from the flat upstairs.

The company let its hair down when Florence cooked some poultry for dinner with the neighbours from upstairs and let it burn. It was so well done that the whole audience could smell the burnt offering. In the same scene Florence upset the whole atmosphere by sitting between the two men and showing pictures of her children and ex-husband reducing the whole party to tears. A great scene.

The Basin theatre closed the 2007 season with a good success well appreciated by the audience.

 

 

Speaking in Tongues

Director: Richenda Papps.

  A play probably better known under its film title Lantana.

A complex play for the audience to follow with four actors playing nine roles. A challenge for actors in keeping up with which character they are portraying particularly when the characters are all intertwined.

The cast rose to the challenge and gave a good evening of theatre.

Leon was given a credible performance by Rod Snell who also played a neighbour Nick, Rod carried both roles with professionalism capturing the characters as envisaged.

Leon 's wife, Sonja was given a stirling portrayal by Susan Carty who also played Valerie, John's wife. Sonja was certainly a different person to Valerie giving Susan the opportunity to demonstrate her prowess as an actor. Susan lived up the director and the audience's expectations.

Jane, Pete's wife was well played by Di Kelly who also played Sarah, Neil's ex-girlfriend and Valerie's client. Di handled both roles with finesse sand kept up the standard set by all.

Pete, Jane's husband was played by Alan Thompson who also played Neil, Sarah's ex-boyfriend and John, Valerie's husband. Alan handled the three roles with ease presenting well and working well with the balance of the company.

An interesting play took a while to follow the storyline with ony four people playing the nine roles but everything tied together in the second half.

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Terra Nova

Director Christine Grant

 

A story of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's fated expedition to the Antarctic and attempt on the South Pole. The play is set in the Antarctic, 1911 – 1912.

The Basin Theatre had a basic but very effective set. It comprised of the complete stage covered in white with several graduations representing very successfully the Antarctic continent. At the rear of the stage was a

full size screen on which actual photos of Scott's expedition were projected and these merged with the foreground giving a realistic feel to the production. The set designer and construction crew are to be congratulated on bringing Antarctica to the Basin. Actually choosing one of Melbourne 's coldest August certainly helped the audience to comprehend the period and place.

A few liberties were taken with historical facts with the judicious addition of Roald Amundsen who was the first man to reach the South Pole. He appeared only to Captain Scott helping to drive him on and showing the difference in attitudes between the English and the Norwegians.

Keith Hutton was Captain Robert Falcon Scott. An excellent capture of such a man who while determined to reach the pole was also to play the game as only an Englishman could regardless of the results.

Scott's wife Kathleen was played by Nicola Baker. Nicola has a good stage presence and gave a good performance. Frank Schrever was Roald Amundsen. A stirling performance giving the Norwegian feel to the character and contrasted the nationalities excellently.

Glenn Hunt was Lawrence Oates, the explorer who said at the end “I am just going outside and may be some time” giving his life that his fellow explorers would have more chance of survival. Glenn gave an outstanding performance giving the audience some small understanding of the British ex service man and his feelings on such an expedition. Cliff Overton was Edward Evans the Welshman whose injuries proved the detriment of the expedition. Cliff gave a good performance and kept up the Welsh accent throughout. At this point the make up artist must be congratulated. When Edward's gloves were removed one would swear that tee cuts to his hand were real and when Lawrence Oates boot was removed and toes came off with the boot it appeared really genuine. Very gruesomely effective.

Steven Carroll played Edward Wilson the doctor who did all he could to help the members who suffered injuries and frostbite under such horrific conditions. A good portrayal.

The last member of the expedition was Henry Bowers played by George McGibbon. A short man who declared he worked twice as far as the others because he took two steps to their one. George gave a great interpretation of the role.

An interesting production moving from the Antarctic to London , to when Scott met his wife, to lecturing to raise the necessary finance for the expedition. This was very successfully done resulting with the audience able to follow the story clearly. The costumes were well replicated and one memorable scene were the actors posing for photos at the South Pole then merging to the real photo projected on the screen.

The Basin Theatre gave its audience an excellent evening of theatre. .

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BATS Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 9702 2759

Rumors

Director: Bronwyn Egan.

  Rumors by Neil Simon is about the Deputy Mayor of New York's 10 th wedding anniversary party and what happens when the friends arrive only to find the hostess missing and the Deputy with a gunshot wound the head.
A cast of ten well balanced and played as the play demands over the top. Some screaming, duck shoving all which made the play the humorous production it was supposed to be.
A well set stage of two levels with the requisite number of doors for a farce. Plenty of action with the odd explosion and gunshots.
The players all presented well and had good stage presence. They captured their characters with comfort and although some were a little over the top it was as the writer wished. By Australian standards it can be a little hard to take but as it is a New York play it was quite acceptable in the context.

A good evening of hilarity well appreciated by the audience.

 

 

Beaumaris Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 9583 6896

Dandenong Theatre

Get Smart

Director: Matt Caton.

  Get Smart is a play taken from the old TV series with all the regular characters. DTC captured the feel of the TV show not only the well known gimmicks, the shoe phone, the Telephone secret entrance to HQ.

Maxwell Smart was played by Rhys Martin who gave a fine performance capturing the feel of the original shall we say not so bright spy but successful in spite of himself with perhaps help from Agent 99.

Claire Bennie was Agent 99 a good performance and even looked like the original 99. Darren Calder was the frustrated chief who had trouble with Agent 86 Maxwell Smart. Calder gave a good interpretation in the role.

The Wong sisters (a take off of Charlie's Angels) were given a terrific performance by Imat Akelo-Opio as Mary Wong, Felicity Zanon as Shirley Wong and Natalie Burns as Betsy Wong.

The girl's choreography was exceptionally well executed and they certainly added to the production.

The production did start a little slow but as the show progressed so did the players who improved as the evening progressed.

 

Noises Off

Director Matt Caton

  Dandenong Theatre Company opened 2007 with a delightful farce Noises Off about a touring Rep Company in England and showing not only on stage but behind the scenes.

The set designer and construction team did a very good job in making a two story set complete with stairs, upstairs landing various doors both upstairs and downstairs without which any farce can succeed.

The cast lived u to the standard expected with no poor performances.

The program contains in an internal program which is for the touring company Otstar Productions.

Sharon Maine played Dotty Otley and as Dotty played Mrs Clackett in Nothing On, the lead and financier of Otstar Productions production of Nothing On. Sharon captured the role with ease and gave a great interpretation of the role.

Simon Papson was Lloyd Douglas the director. What a role makes one wonder why anyone takes up directing. Simon gave a great performance showing the patience and frustration of handling temperamental; actors.

James Ness was Garry Lejeune who played the young estate agent Roger with more on his mind than selling a house. James Ness handled both roles with the correct characterisation required. His partner of the afternoon was Vicki a young blond with the requisite curves and mentality expected. Laura Ireland as Brooke Ashton / Vicki gave a positive and delightful performance in fact with her walk and limited amount of clothing she brought to mind Barbara Windsor of Carry On fame.

Joe Dias was Frederick Fellowes who played the home owner Phillip Brent. Joe gave a fine interpretation of such a character.

Kym Davis was Belinda Blair who played Phillip Fellowes wife. Kym stood aloof as envisaged and gave a good feeling in the role.

Colin Morley was the assistant director of Nothing On. What a character running around taking actor's roles although it wasn't always necessary, run off his feet by the cast and director. A great performance and guaranteed to keep Colin fit.

The villain of Nothing On was Selsdon Mowbray played Peter Fowler. Selsdon was a good performer provided alcohol beverages were kept out of reach. Peter captured the role with finesse

Another delight was Poppy Norton-Taylor the stage manager played by Claire Benne. Poor Poppy another one run off her feet trying to keep the backstage and cast moving smoothly and trying to talk to the director Lloyd about a secret that will affect him. Claire was made for the role and gave a good natural performance.

A three act show that except being a little slow in act 2 flowed well and was enjoyed by the audience.

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Eltham Little Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 9437 1574

The Shoe-Horn Sonata

A story of two women, Sheila and Bridie who were prisoners of the Japanese in World War II. Now 50 years later they meet again while filming of a television documentary.
A very moving and poignant play interspersed with touches of humour. Based on real happenings and with pictures courtesy of the Australian War Memorial which added to the authenticity of the production. 
Sheila, the 15 year old girl at the time was played by Pat Alcock. Alcock gave a wonderful and very moving performance and chatting after the show admitted in one scene she still got very emotional and cried which was part of the scene but the tears were real with the emotions of the scene. Sheila was an English girl very formal and a great contrast to Bridie who, at the time, was a 23 year old Australian nurse who had never been out of Australia.
Bridie was played by Genevieve Ryan who also captured the realism of such a character who befriended the young girl and tried to her best to look after her in the various prisoner of war camps. Ryan gave an emotional moving performance as an Australian with a strong contrast to the English character as portrayed by Pat Alcock.
The two players both became very emotionallyinvolved with the charactersand in the early rehearsals had trouble keeping the emotions under control. The play is well written and talks about a part of W W II which has been under reported and tended to keep rather quiet. This play brings home what women and children suffered during the period of hostilites.
Both players had an excellent rapport which added to the standard of the production and your reviewer must say it is one of the best productions seen this year.

Sheik, Rattle & Roll

Directors: Gayle Poor / Lois Fleming
Chorographer: Lois Fleming.
Season: July 11 – 20.

ELT produced the annual youth production with a cast if 32.
Set in 800BC Baghdad with the addition of a couple of English explorers aka 19th century and one lost Foreign Legionnaire.
A colourful and very well dressed production enhanced by a realistic style set with a couple of camels thrown in.
The cast age varied from eight years to 18 years.
An enjoyable performance with a smooth flowing production about an evil Caliph and the evil queen trying to take control of Baghdad. Full use was made not only of the stage but all the theatre.
Some highlights were the search with everyone running helter skelter through the theatre, the youngest young lady all of eight years as a guard marching down from the rear of the theatre and the two not so-evil guards who really had a great touch of the comique
The cast certainly enjoyed the production and the standard has improved since the last youth production. Many proud relations comprised the audience and it is positive for the future of theatre which such keen young performers.

tudio Imagery

Absurd Person Singular

Director: Gareth Wilding-Forbes.

  A story of three couples celebrating Xmas dinners with each couple in turn preparing the meal and the results of what happens before one dines.

Derek Henry was Sidney Hopcroft and Julie Downie was his wife Jane Hopcroft. The Hopcrofts were the first couple to host Xmas dinner and the results were … Henry and Downie worked well together and gave very good performances.

The second couple preparing the dinner were Geoffrey and Eva Jackson. Geoff had just broken the news of his infidelity and the resultant scene was the effect on his wife Eve.

Susan Flint was absolutely superb as Eva who had only one thought, suicide. The scene was hysterical. She first tried to jump out of the window of their fourth floor flat. She was saved by her husband who then had to go and answer the door. She then moved over to the gas oven where she pulled out all the fittings, laid a cloth and placed her head in resting it on the cloth. Jane Hopcroft entered seeing her on the floor pulls her out and says “Don't worry I will clean the stove” and proceeds to do so. Eva then tries to knife herself but Jane's husband, Derek steps in and removes the knife not realising what Eva is trying to do. Eva then tries to hang herself, she climbs on the table and puts a noose around the light cord. Ronald Brewster-Wright enters seeing Eva on the table lifts her down and finds a globe and climbs up to relace same thinking that that was what Eva was trying to do.

All this time and all the different events Eva was completely oblivious of the four doing the jobs they imagined her to be doing.

Susan Flint carried the character with finesse and complete professionalism and together with the others who were completely ignorant of the suicide attempts added to the mirth of the evening.

Act three was the home Brewster-Wrights where we find the change in all the characters now virtually the opposite to the first Xmas.

Good performances by all completing the evening with a great success.

 

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1812 Theatre
Bookings: & Inquiries 61 3 9758 964

Two & Two Together


1812 Theatre
Director: Robin Miller.

1812 Theatre chose a light hearted comedy to close the 2008 season with Derek Benfield’s Two & Two Together.
A story of two couples, their infidelities, a neighbourhood watch investigator and a curious house keeper.
The stage was set in two halves each side the interior of the homes concerned. 1812 crew did a great job with the set looking authentic and the view through the windows showing houses opposite and even beyond.
The first half, however, started a little slowly and the players on occasion did forget albeit hardly noticeable forget some lines.
The third man Frank who was trying to have an affair with Rachel was played by Ian Johnson. Johnson gave a fair performance and worked hard on his role as a so-called jogger. His girl Rachel who was married to Victor was played by Peter Frid.
Frid really caught the character and was the perfect ‘innocent’ Englishman not understanding the conversation with his friend Henry.
Rachel was played by Sonya Wilson who gave an understanding performance in her character and keeping up with the quick answers to suspicious questions.
Richard Foster was Henry, the unsuspecting husband of Georgina, an actor who was out each night thus leaving the opportunity for Georgina’s friend Rachel to use the house for her liaisons.
Richard caught the character as envisaged with good stage projection.
His wife Georgina was played by Mandy Murray. Georgina also was attempting an affair with Rachel’s husband but was rather nervous. A different piece of stage work was a film on the side of the stage showing Georgina climbing down a drain pipe. Murray handled the role with finesse and added to the fun of the evening.
The Neighbourhood Watch investigator Proctor was given a good interpretation by James McRae, another actor with good stage presence. A highlight was Judie Morrow-Emmett the housekeeper not averse to a little shall we say a small paper present for not seeing what was going on. Morrow-Emmett captured the character with expertise giving a great performance.
The second half of the evening showed the cast working more smoothly and a little faster which is necessary in this type of farce.
A fun night to close the season. 

 

The Lady in the Van

The Lady in the Van
1812 Theatre
Director: Malcolm Sussman.
     
An interesting play based on a happening in the playwright’s own life. An old eccentric woman lived in a campervan in the street. Alan Bennett offered his front yard to park for a few weeks while she found somewhere else to go. Fifteen years later she passed away.
The play deals with Alan’ life over the 15 years.
Alan Bennett was played by two performers, one his public persona and one his inner persona.
David Macrae was the public persona. A fine interpretation of the persona which looked from the outside showing no emotions about the problem.
Chris Shaw was the inner person with all the feelings of the frustration and difficulties of living with an old eccentric woman living in the front garden. A well balanced performance.
The old lady Miss Shepherd was played by Anna B. Smith. A wonderful portrayal of an old yes and bad smelling old eccentric. Fortunately 1812 who do excellent sets did not take realism too far so although many comments were made about the stink emanating from the caravan it was left to the audience’s imagination.
A large number of players all doing small roles but all evenly balanced adding to the standard.
 A rather long play which could perhaps been tightened up without losing the essence of the story.

 

Arsenic and Old Lace

1812 Theatre

Director: Andrew Waddington

Season: June 3 – July 5. 2008 

An old favourite about the two Brewster sisters who were very charity minded and like to help elderly lonely men to a better way. Their household consisted of themselves, their nephew Teddy who thought himself Teddy Roosevelt, and regular visitor nephew Mortimer Brewster and then another nephew Jonathan Brewster and his accomplice Dr.Einstein.

Other visitors were Mortimer's fiancée Elaine and various policemen.

1812 Theatre constructed a very goo set of the lounge room pf an early Brooklyn home together with a garden seen through the front door, a flight of stairs on the stage left and a kitchen viewed through the door leading off the lounge room. 1812 do a good job of the off rooms looking complete which doesn't always happen with some companies.

The two Brewster sisters were Abby and Martha. Abby was played by Patricia McCracken who gave an absolutely wonderful portrayal of a fussing elderly woman bent on doing good works but not always what she appeared. McCracken worked well with Janet Withers who played Martha Brewster. A good rapport from both actors and their scenes together were a delight.

Withers captured the character and also gave a good portrayal of the sister helping with charities and excited about their nephew Mortimer's engagement. Martha also was not all that she appeared to be.

Teddy was played by Barry Baker who gave a good interpretation of the nephew who thought he was Teddy Roosevelt. He had some good scenes such as charging up the stairs with sword drawn and going to the Panama Canal (the cellar) to bury victims of yellow fever. Or so he thought.

Nicholas Ryan played two roles, the Reverend Dr. Harper, father to Elaine, Mortimer's fiancée. He also played Jonathan's accomplice Dr Einstein. As the Reverend Dr Harper he gave a fair performance but as Dr Einstein he was terrific. He captured the essence of such a character with the correct stance, amazing expressions and an amazing accent the best interpretation of the voice of Peter Lorre heard for many a time.

The evil brother Jonathan, he who wanted to give his brother Mortimer the Melbourne method, was played by Howard Proctor... Proctor gave a good performance in the role capturing the evil brother with finesse.

Two policemen Officer Brophy and Officer Klein were played by Adrian Lynch and Chris Aitken. Both gave fair performances and projected well.

The third policeman Officer O'Hara was a prospective playwright and dragged out his play reading to Mortimer to the frustration to all. Ian Johnson handled the role with finesse and gave a good interpretation of the character.

Joe Fairhurst was another playing two roles. First was a brief performance as an elderly lonely man who was about to try the Brewster sister's famous elderberry wine. A close shave. His second character was Mr Witherspoon from the Happydale Sanatorium who has come to take Teddy to Happydale. Fairhurst gave a good performance particularly as Witherspoon particularly in the last few moments of the play.

A successful evening enjoyed by the open night audience.

 

Boy Gets Girl

Director: Richard Keown

A story of Theresa Bedell a journalist who was stalked by a rejected boyfriend.

A two level set with the front being the magazine office of Theresa. The rear mid stage curtains opened to reveal Theresa's flat interior.

A strong play very emotional and exceptionally well performed. Kate Bowers was Theresa Bedell the journalist being stalked. Kate gave an outstanding performance of the girl going on a blind date and being tactful in breaking off the relationship and the play shows how some people cannot understand rejection no matter how tactfully it was done. Kate handled the changes of emotion from the casual date to the slow but determined persecution by the casual date with great professionalism and did tell your correspondence it took a while to unwind after the play ended.

The stalker Tony was well played by Christopher O'Connor. Christopher caught the essence of the quiet, shy computer operator on a blind date then the changes as he could not take rejection. Starting with sending flowers and then getting very nasty Christopher handled the role very realistically giving the feel of such a character.

Howard Siegel, Theresa's editor, was played by Peter Frid. Gave a good portrayal of the sympathetic editor who offered Theresa accommodation and all the help required in the circumstances. The other journalist Mercer Stevens was played by Steve Shinkfield. Steve also gave a good high standard performance as Theresa's co-worker and in helping her overcome her problems.

Alisha Ryan was Theresa's secretary who as a young girl did not realise the implications of such a character as Tony and gave him too much information. Alisha handled the role well giving the feel of such a character.

Madeleine Beck the Detective handling the stalking matter was played by Alayne Wright. Alayne captured the partially gruff but understanding detective who was overworked but helped the best way she could.

Trevor Hanna was Les Kennkat the film producer of pornographic style films who Theresa was interviewing for her magazine. The two characters crossed swords during the interview which was well performed by both Kate and Trevor.

1812 Theatre and the cast gave a moving and strong performance relative to the production and was well received by the audience.

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Encore Theatre
Bookings: 0500 842 538

Haywire


Encore Theatre
Director: Christine Simmonds.

A light hearted comedy of indiscretions, troubled kids and a grandmother who left her retirement home.
Encore Theatre created a good set of an upstairs living room where all the action takes place.
Alec Firth the bookshop owner is planning a dirty weekend with his assistant Liz without his wife knowing. Naturally nothing goes as planned.
Alec Firth was played by Stephen Barber who caught the character as envisaged really looking the harassed middle aged man trying to get away for a dirty weekend with his assistant. The assistant, Liz, was performed by Lindal Young. A fine performance really giving the feel of the frustration of trying to get away with all that can go wrong does.
Liz Matthews was Alec’s wife Maggie. Maggie had her own agenda which her whole family did not wish to interrupt but was it her real agenda? Matthews handled the role with finesse and added to the success of the evening. Eileen Nelson gave a great performance as Alec’s mother who discharged herself from the old people’s home and later from hospital. The son, Jamie, who came home for help because he had broken his ankle, was played by Stuart Daulman. Daulman had a difficult part as he had to perform on crutches throughout the evening. A good portrayal. His sister Mandy came home pregnant and not wanting to marry the father. Myrto Balamatsias gave the character the realism of such a young lady and performed well.
A good round evening of English comedy enjoyed the audience. 

 

Over the River & through the Woods

Director Edna Bartlett.\

Season: June 20 – June 29. 2008

 

Encore Theatre opened its first season somewhat later than usual in the new Clayton Community Theatre. The theatre has just been completed and is a wonderful asset to Melbourne 's suburban theatre network.

The production was Joe DiPietro's Over the River and Through the Woods.

The story is of Nick who spends each Sunday with his grandparents and then has to tell them he has a promotion and has to move across the country. They are heartbroken and do their best to keep him at home.

Adrian Gertler was Nick Cristano. Gertler captured the correct feel for the character and worked well with the cast.

His maternal grandparents were Frank Gianelli and Aida Gianelli. Michael Knuckey was Frank, giving a good portrayal of a self made man who worked hard for his family and like Nick's other grandparents cannot understand why Nick wants to leave the family nod stand on his own tow feet. Mary Kappner was Aida Gianelli. Kappner gave a great performance of the grandmother whose solution to ever problem as eat, eat whether or not you were hungry or whether you would even eat what was offered.

Nick's paternal grandparents were Nunzio Cristano and Emma Cristano. Nunzio was played by John Davis who gave a god performance of a man who would not reveal an illness so that his grandson would not alter his decision about moving..

Joan Krutli was Emma Cristano giving a good portrayal of a loving grandmother who did not know about her husband's problems and worried about the moving of her grandson.
Alicia Kidd was Caitlin O'Hare the girl that the grandparents were trying to match up with Nick to keep him in town. Kidd really captured the character with finesse giving a good portrayal of the girl who did like Nick but as events changed so did their feelings.

A good opening production to Melbourne 's newest theatre.

 

I Remember Mama

Director: Ron Conroy,

  A delightful play about a Norwegian couple living in San Francisco and their family life. The family was Mama, Papa, one son and three daughters not forgetting the family cat Uncle Elizabeth, three aunts and one uncle.The eldest daughter and narrator was performed by Alisha Ryan. As narrator she spoke in a mature voice and as Katrin the eldest daughter she captured a schoolgirl voice. Ryan has good stage presence and gave a good performance and did not forget the voice changes in the correct order.
Mama the centre of the family was played by Janis Schneider. A great performance with Schneider capturing the essence of the mama and also keeping a Norwegian accent consistent throughout the performance. Papa was played by Geoff Arnold. Papa was a quiet man but one knew who was master in the house. A very good portrayal by Arnold .
The other two daughters were Dagma played by Harriet Robertson and Christine played by Myrto Balamatsias.
Harriet Robertson as the ten year old Dagma gave a fine interpretation of the role and spent a lot of the time carrying the family cat who she called Elizabeth until it was pointed out by her brother that Elizabeth was a Tomcat. So she compromised and called him Uncle Elizabeth.
Myrto Balamatsias as Christine the middle sister balanced well between her siblings and gave a good performance particularly when telling Katrin off for being selfish. Lindsay Parkhowell was the oldest of the siblings, brother Nels. As Nels he played a quiet part, fond of his sisters and knew when to be stern and sympathetic, considerate of his parents and relations. A good portrayal by Parkhowell.
The three aunts, Trina, Jenny and Sigrid were played by Lisbet Vester Fraser, Penny Wood and pia Magnov. All three developed the roles with professionalism and were appreciated by the audience.
The head of the family Uncle Chris, not always appearing to be nice character but as events turned out quite a surprise for the family was in Store. John Keogh as Uncle Chris gave a stirring portrayal of the character as envisaged.
The woman and Jessie was given a good performance by Gail Bradley. Mr Thorkelson the local undertaker was well played by Paul Behan who captured the quiet somewhat shy but when needed determined undertaker
The children's cousin, Arne, was played by Jonathan Bailey. Bailey also played the page boy in an hotel scene. A young lad with a good stage future ahead.
Several of the players performed more that one role which is not an easy task switching completely from one character to another but the cast excelled in the changes.
A well set stage which was basically the kitchen of the family with inserts bringing in the hotel scene, the hospital scene and Uncle Chris' home.
An interesting play and professionally performed by all on stage.

 

Sherlock Stock and Barrel

Director: Cenarth Fox

Described as a comedy with songs about some adventures of the world's greatest consulting detective Sherlock Holmes/

Cenarth Fox wrote the play and the music and with five players performing 75 characters he manages to cover all of Sherlock Holmes' adventures.

A stage with no set other than a couple of chairs. The players were dressed for the period.

Kirk Alexander was Sherlock Holmes. A good performance with a good stage presence and projection, Alexander worked well with a good rapport with his fellow players which added to the standard of the production. Doctor John Watson was given a very good interpretation by Gareth Wilding-Forbes capturing the fumbling not altogether with it Dr. with aplomb. Professor James Moriarty was played by Chris Gaffney who also played about 30 other characters from dead bodies to the evil professor. A very good performance which was enjoyed by the audience.

Holmes's housekeeper Mrs Hudson was performed by Joanne Gabriel. Gabriel also played many other characters from the housekeeper to the narrator to a burglar. Another good performance. Miss Irene Adler was played by Catherine Munday. Munday captured the feel of such a character and also performed many roles from Irene Adler to a western heroine to a burglar. Well played.

The players had a difficult role in performing so many characters. It is not easy changing personalities so quickly and trying to give authentism to so many roles in the short time. The actors succeeded very well and the play was a great success with the audience.

 

Shadowlands

Director: Mark Stratford.

  Shadowlands a story of C.S. Lewis and his meeting and friendship with American poet Joy Davidman.

A simply set stage with an unusual backdrop, all white with handwriting across same.

C. S. Lewis was played by David Small. David really captured the essence of C. S. Lewis His performance showed the contrast of the academic rather amused by the enthusiasm of Joy Davidman and then as the play progressed the emotion, pathos and poignancy of the events.

Joy Davidman was played by Vanessa Alpins. Vanessa caught the extravert American to the mother and the invalid with finesse and feeling. She also kept up the brash American accent without hesitation throughout the performance.

C. S. Lewis's brother Major W. H ‘Warnie' Lewis was given an excellent portrayal by Gareth Wilding-Forbes. Gareth had some unusual difficulties in that he only joined the group seven days before opening night owing to the illness of the original Warnie. Apologies were given to the audience that Gareth not having enough time to really learn his lines carried some of the script on stage. His professionalism is such that even when he used the written script it was so smoothly done it was hardly noticeable.

Douglas Gresham Joy Davidman's son was played by Jonathon Bailey. Jonathan projected well and caught the character of Douglas . A young actor worth keeping an eye on.

The cynical Professor Christopher Riley was portrayed by Cameron South. Cameron gave a good performance in the role capturing the character as envisaged.

The Reverend Harry Harrington was played by Zoran Babic. Zoran looked the part and gave a good performance capturing the feelings of such a person in the various changes in his friends situations.

Geoffrey May had a challenge inasmuch he played Dr Maurice Oakley, a Registrar, Priest and a waiter. Although only small roles they were very important to the play and Geoffrey delivered his roles with expertise.

Trevor Hanna was another performer who had more than part. He played Alan Gregg and a Doctor. Also another good portrayal.

Ally Kearney played a woman and a nurse giving a good interpretation of each character.

James Hodson a composer and pianist played the background music adding to the interest of the play.

A good high standard production by Encore.

 

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Hats Theatre Company

Still Under the Brim
Doreen, Mother Figure, Graceland

HATS has a tradition of one act plays so the July season saw the launch if three plays which Hats intend performing at the Ararat One Act Play Festival, Mornington One Act Play Festival and Anglesea One Act Play Festival in 2003.
The company opened the evening with Alun Owen's Doreen. A story of two boys and a girl. Doreen, John and Eric. The two boys had two girls up to a flat for dinner. One girl not liking what she thought might happen left. The two boys are left with one girl who appears to be quite happy to stay regardless.
Doreen was given a seductive and confident performance by Bianca Beer. Aidan Martin was Eric, a shy boy but it appeared that he was the one Doreen was keen on. Aidan gave a fine performance in the role capturing the character as written. John, the confident rather full of himself, was played by Sean Hand. Sean handled the role with finesse and projected well.
The second play was Ala Ayckbourn's Mother Figure. A story of a mother whose husband is a commercial traveller and leaves her alone for weeks at a time. This results in mother only talking to her children and cannot relate to other adults. The next door neighbours pop in and the play is a result of their visit.
Rosemary is the neighbour who visits after a request from the mother Lucy's husband who cannot raise her on the phone. Rosemary was played by Kate Baker who gave a good interpretation of the neighbour who was worried about Lucy's mental state. Rosemary's husband Terry came in to see why his wife was held up and falls into the dialogue and actions. Terry was given a great performance by Nick Beaton.
The mother Lucy was portrayed by Genevieve Ryan. Genevieve gave an outstanding performance of the mother who lived in a world of her own.
The third play was Ellen Byron's Graceland. The play is set outside Elvis Presley's home Graceland which is to be open to the public for the first time. Bev has arrived first; she is an Elvis devotee and is always first at anything connected to Elvis no matter what. Rootie, a young girl arrives and claims she was first and the story is about who was really first and why they should be. No action as such just sitting on chairs and talking, I feel that it could make a good radio play considering it appeared to be two people talking with little action.
Bev was played by Sheona Paxman, Sheona had the correct approach to the character and gave a good interpretation. Rootie was played by Sarah Lamb, a young actor who caught the role as envisaged.
A pleasant evening of theatre and HATS is a company worth adding to your diary.

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Malvern Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 9530 8586

The Rose Tattoo

Director: Barbara Bateman.

  A story of a Sicilian family living in a small village on the Gulf of Mexico USA written by Tennessee Williams. An unusual story by Tennessee Williams with a different ending to his usual stories.
Assunta a friend of the widow Serafina Delle Rose was played by Judy Corderoy. A good performance.
Rosa Delle Rose, the daughter of Serafina was given a great performance by Katherine Payne. Payne captured the essence of a hot blooded Sicilian girl who was American born but her nature was still Sicilian. The accent was Southern USA and then breaking into Sicilian. This was well done and didn't lose accent throughout rhe production.
Serafina Delle Rose the widow and mother of Rose was played by Cathy Patti. A lonely widow who went a little too far in her grief particularly with her daughter. Patti gave an excellent performance and really kept the Sicilian feel in her performance.
Melissa Perks was Estelle Hohen Garten, a mysterious woman who was not what she seemed. Perks gave a good performance in the role. The Strega was given a good comic performance by Mary Kappner.
Three friends and customers of Serafina were Nonna Guiseppina, Peppina and Violetta played by Norah Toohey, Gail Bradley and Clare Birtles. All gave fair to good performances with good stage projection.
Eric Heyes was Father De Leo the family priest who had trouble with Serafina. Another good portrayal.
The Doctor/ Salesman were played by Anthony Hasseldene who captured both characters with finesse.
The schoolteacher was Miss Yorke played by Christine Andrew... A small role and contrasting between the American and the Sicilian showing a lack of understanding of each other's customs. Andrew handled the role with finesse.
Flora and Bessie were the local American spinsters who were on the way to New Orleans . Played by Kate Llewelyn and Joan Krutli both giving a good interpretation of the characters.
Rosa's boyfriend sailor Jack Hunter who was somewhat flummoxed by the young Rosa , she was not quite what he expected. Jack was played by Andrew Mayes who interpreted the character well giving a fair performance.
Sicilian truck driver Alvaro Mangiacavallo was given an authentic interpretation by Vincent Chiappazzo. Chiappazzo has a good stage presence and really captured the character as envisaged by the author.

 

Don't Drink the Water.

Director: John Keogh

  An American family are touring Russia in the communist era when Walter Hollander takes a photo of the sunset unfortunately in a political sensitive area. Just making it to the American Embassy they are stuck until they can escape.

In the Embassy they meet Ambassador Magee played by Tom Travers. Travers has good stage projection and really caught the persona of such an ambassador. His assistant Kilroy was played by Fionn Quinlan. Quinlan caught the character of the efficient manager of the Embassy being frustrated by the Ambassador's son who is nominally in charge..

Joshua Parnell was Axel Magee, the ambassador's inept son Parnell gave an excellent performance of the bumbling character and had a good rapport with Alexandra Hooper who played the tourist daughter Susan Hollander. Hooper captured the young American tourist stranded in the U.S. Embassy with finesse giving a first class performance.

Alexandra's mother Marion Hollander was played with professionalism and projection by Carol Shelbourn.

Walter Hollander was given an excellent portrayal by Peter Maver. Maver captured the essence of the American tourist who was always right and without tact no matter what.

Krojack was the KGB man who was trying to capture the Hollanders and always believing that they were really guilty. As Krojack Jim Thomson gave a wonderful performance and really looked the part.

The secretary Miss Burns was given a good performance by Alison Crawford. The comedy relief Chef Hatami was given an amusing and good performance by Manny Nickupala.

A very impressive role was that of the Sultan of Bashir, only a small part but very well done by Joshua Balbin.

A fun show but little of showing the American tourist and reaction to events that are out of their control.

 

Butterflies are Free

Director: Ewen Crockett

  A story of Don Baker who goes to New York to escape his dominating mother and try to find his own way in life.

A well set stage with two doors on audience left, a kitchen at the rear left, a door to the bathroom on rear right, a bed suspended from the ceiling over the bathroom door and a table and chairs in centre of stage.

Benn Rayner gave a very good performance as Don particularly moving about the stage. To say why would give away the plot but Benn really caught the feel of the character in this situation.

The butterfly of the title is Jill Tanner, the girl in the next apartment. A quirky character who cannot settle own with anyone and like the butterfly flits from boy to boy. Aimee Sanderson gave a wonderful interpretation of Jill being vague and fluttery to a serious talk with Don's mother which changed the attitude of the story.

Don's mother, Mrs Baker was played by Wendy McRae. Wendy caught the character of an obsessed mother who cannot come to the realisation that her little Donny is now a man and needs to make his own life. Wendy had a change of character after a talk to Jill. This change of feeling and understanding was professionally handled by Wendy.

The director, Ralph Austin, of an off Broadway play who auditioned Jill for a role was played by Adrian Perillo. Adrian gave a good interpretation of the role capturing the character with finesse.

A good smooth working play with all the artists having a good rapport.

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Mitcham Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 0500 849 67

Theft

A story of two couples celebrating an anniversary and on returning home find the house has been robbed and the burglar still on the premises.
John Miles was John Fraser the home owner, a millionaire and whose anniversary was being celebrated. John Fraser projects well and caught the rich, affluent character still friends with his childhood schoolmate who was not quite so successful in life. Barbara Miles, his wife whose age was not quite everyone thought and appeared a little too much under the weather shall we say. Barbara was played by Jackie Hutchison who gave a good portrayal as such a person capturing the feel as envisaged.
John's old school friend Trevor Farrington was played by Glenn Baker. Glenn has a good stage presence and gave a good interpretation. Trevor's wife Jenny was played by Jo Warr. Jo had a good rapport with Glenn and well played the poorer wife.
The man who had the most work and lines was Spriggs the burglar. Joe Tuppenny as Spriggs had to remember the different stories he told each person in playing on their sympathy. Joe certainly looked the part and gave a great performance.
An enjoyable evening from Mitcham Theatre.

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A Murder is Announced

Mitcham Theatre Group chose Agatha Christie's well known story A Murder is Announced written as a play by Leslie Darbon for the spring season.
A very well set drawing room of Letitia Blackrock's house in an English village.
A typical Agatha Christie mystery with two deaths and plenty of suspects. MTG welcomed back Muriel Kempster as director after a four year break. Muriel showed that her absence did not handicap her expertise and the result was a credit to Muriel and her team.
Genevieve Tobin was Letitia Blackrock the kind hearted lady who supported her childhood friend and two cousins. Genevieve gave a positive performance handling the character who was not quite what she appeared, with expertise and projected well.
Her childhood friend, Dora Bunner more commonly known as Bunny, was played by Angela McGovern. Bunny was a little forgetful and Angela caught the vagueness with feeling but perhaps could have had a little more expression. Rachel Negus was Julia Simmons one of Letitia's young cousin's and apparently Patrick's sister. Rachel gave a good performance in the role working well with Robert Williams as Patrick Simmons.
Robert Williams projects well and gave a good performance.
A highlight of the evening was newcomer to the stage as the maid Mitzi, Kelly Ziccone. Kelly kept up an Hungarian accent constant throughout the evening, has a great sense of humour for the stage and kept the audience highly amused throughout her performance. Kelly is an asset for Mitcham and let us hope that we see more of her on stage.
June Worsfold was Miss Marple. June has good stage presence and gave a fair performance but her voice was a little quiet. Rachel Dewar was Phillipa Haymes the unmarried mother who Letitia took in and was helping. Rachel caught the character comfortably giving a good portrayal of a person who also was not quite she appeared. Two visitors who were friends of Letitia but popped in whenever there was some interesting happening. They were Mrs Swettenham and her son, an unpublished author, Edmund Swettenham. Jenni Dyson was Mrs Swettenham giving a good portrayal of the perhaps rather nosy friend but disliking interference from others. Jeff Saliba was Edmund Swettenham. Jeff played the role with finesse and worked well with Rachel Dewar who as Phillipa with who Edmund was rather keen on.
Graham Eddie was Inspector Craddock come to investigate two mystery deaths. Graham looked the part and carried the role with ease. Sergeant Mellors was played by Michael Comben who although having a small piece added to the standard of the production. Last but not least was Rudi Scherz played by Ben Mitchell. Rudi only appeared for a brief moment mostly in the dark and then was shot. Ben was only on for a brief moment but without his character there would not be a story.
A successful evening by Mitcham Theatre Group.

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Mordialloc Theatre Company
Bookings: 03 9587 5141

The Crucible

Director Doug Bennett

  Arthur Miller's most famous play The Crucible is set in Salem Massachusetts in 1692 and is about the witch hunts of the period. What is more horrifying is that the play is based on the court records of the records of the time and all the characters in the play are historical and their fate is how Arthur Miller records.

Mordialloc and Director Doug Bennett used a revolving stage which was set as the home of Reverend Samuel Parris, the home of John Proctor, the exterior of the courtroom and the jail.

A well produced smooth flowing production with a high standard of performance.

Naomi Rukavina as Tituba the slave from the Barbados gave a fine performance leading the young girls of Salem in midnight dances and witchcraft.

The leading troublemaker of the girls was Abigail Williams who accused the local village people of various crimes to attain her own ends. Tanya Wenczel gave an outstanding portrayal of such a character.

A strong professional performance was given by Fernando Testa as John Proctor who was tortured and at first appeared to succumb to his persecutors but his wife and his conscience led to his final decision and its results. Glenn Hunt was the Reverend John Hale who was called in to investigate the claims of witchcraft. Glenn gave a good interpretation of the biased man who then when realisation as to what was happening tried to readdress his decisions and try to bring justice to the court trials.

Mary Kappner was a delight as Rebecca Nurse, the mother and grandmother who knew that the girls were lying and could not believe that the court was taken them seriously. A good performance.

Eric Heyes was the Deputy Governor Danforth who ruled the court. A most biased man who believed in the letter of the law regardless of the results. Eric Heyes gave a stirling

portrayal of the pedantic bigoted character.

The youngest member of cast Harriet Robertson played Betty Parris A young lady with a good performing future ahead.

A large cast making it difficult to choose highlights but all added to the standard of the evening and there were no poor performances.

A good evening of drama from Mordialloc Theatre Company.

 

 

Laying the Ghost

A story of an actress, her ex-husband, her student and her ex's current wife and the tragedy (or is it).
Mordialloc Theatre set builders showed the results of the off stage staff with the construction of the room of Margot Buchanan in a retirement home on the South Coast of England. The set was not only of the room but views of the garden, doors to other rooms which were also well constructed.
Margot Buchanan was celebrating her 70th birthday when Sadie Croft, a young actress, entered for advice and instruction on playing Juliet for a forthcoming play Romeo & Juliet.
Lorraine Kindler as Margot Buchanan gave a good performance as the somewhat bemused birthday girl with unusual events happening. Sadie Croft was played by Andrea Florence, a good interpretation of a young actress and also a mistress.
Eric Heyes was the ex-husband Sir Leo Buchanan. A fine stage personality and had a good rapport with Lorraine Kindler. His wife Lady Judy Buchanan was played by Christine Bridge. Lady Judy was caught between the ex-wife and without realising it her husband's mistress. Christine gave a great interpretation of the role. Margot Buchanan's friend Freda Deacon who was a medium always talking to ghosts which proved essential as the story progressed. Freda Deacon was given a good portrayal by Eryl Lowe. A lighthearted touch was the Superman character who delivered a birthday message. Martin Gibbs was Superman giving a comic touch to the evening.
A well executed play particularly the response of the actors when the ghosts entered and the cast could not see them. Not always easy to do when someone is in front of you and you have to act as if there is no-one there.
Mordialloc Theatre's audience enjoyed the evening.
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Peridot Theatre
Bookings: 61 3 5988 0465
1300 138 645

Chaim's Love Song


Peridot Theatre
Director: Ron Conroy
Season: November 7 -22 - 2008-11-17

Peridot’s final production for 2008 was Martin Chernoff’s Chaim’s Love Song.
A story of Chaim Shotsky and a young lady he befriended in the local park.
Peridot crew created a two tier Brooklyn Park complete with bushes, trees, park benches, brick dividing walls and the side of Chaim’s house.
The accents weren’t quite Brooklyn Jewish but were constant throughout the evening. The young lady befriended by Chaim had such a good American accent that some in the audience said why her accent was so good was because she was American. She wasn’t.
John Keogh gave n enduring performance as Chaim, capturing the essence of such a character.
Kelly Burke, the young lady from the mid west was played by Penny Wood. Wood gave a wonderful portrayal of the lonely girl away from the family and wondering whether to trust a stranger in the park.
Trevor Hanna played three parts, each different characters, well performed.  Damien Scipione played two roles with professionalism
Chaim’s married daughter with marital troubles was Sharna played by Beth Klein. A good performance.
Carol Shelbourn was Chaim’s wife Tzawawah giving a moving performance as the girl who lost her feeling for love during World War II. Shelbourn also played four other parts with expertise. The matchmaker was performed by Annie Bieniek who captured the Jewish matchmaker with ease.
A worthy end of the year production from Peridot Theatre.

 

A Month of Sundays

Set in a nursing home where Cooper and Aylott plan their escape as something to pass the time while we are told what life is like in such a home and how it affects the patients, their relatives and friends.
Les Ross was Cooper alert but physically feeble and worried about becoming a Zombie. Ross acted well at the opening but after a while hereally became Cooper. He had a hard job as the leading player and was on stage for the duration of the play. A very good performance.
His friend Aylott was played by Raleigh Robinson. Robinson caught the character working well with Ross and in the later scenesof his role he gave an excellent portrayal, very moving and some tears were seen in the audience.
Meliisa New was Nurse Wilson who looked after Cooper and was the butt of some of his slightly off jokes. New did a stunning portrayal with a good a rapport with a Ross and the empathy between was well appreciated by the opening night audience.
As the cleaning lady Mrs Baker, Wendy McRae added to the humour of the play with her cleaning and although trying to hide her feelings enjoyed Cooper's snide remarks and company.
Cooper's son-in-law Peter wa played by Justin Klave, who gave a good performance of the son-in-law who tried to hide the feeling he had of the monthly chore of visiting his father-in-law.
Julia, Cooper's daughter, was played by Janine Evans. A good performance particularly on her last visit which became very poignant and was very weel done.
Teh cast worked well toether giving a high standard production.
The set of the nursing home was excellent with a garden scene viewed through the window and an offstage bathroom even though it was not all seen by the audience.
A wonderful evening and a show not to be missed.

 

 

Speaking in Tongues

Director: Frank McCarty.

An unusual play which twists form the present to the past to show how events happen. A challenge to the actors which each actor playing different characters which as the evening progresses we see how the characters tie up.

A challenging production which was accepted excellently by the director and cast The opening was shown on two screens each side of the stager with one a from the inside of a car on a lonely road and a lady in a panic at a telephone box obviously kilometres from anywhere. A very effective opening giving the audience the feeling of fright and despair of the lady in the phone box.

During the play the two screens were successfully used as backdrops for each home mentioned in the story. One was set in the kitchen with the photo of the interior of a kitchen while the other showed the view from the lounge room looking out across the garden.

Phillippa Adgemis was Sonia in the first act and Valerie in Act 2. A very good portrayal and capturing the frightened lost lady with professionalism.

Melanie Rowe was Jane and Sarah. A good characterisation of both ladies. Mark Stratford was the only member of the cast that had the one character that of Detective Sergeant Leon Zat. In the two acts he played different parts of his life, Act 1 was his personal life and Act 2 was his police persona.

A god performance in both aspects of his life. Ian Tweedale was Pete n Act 1 and John in Act 2. Tweedale projects well and gave a good interpretation of the characters.

Not an easy play to follow with all the jumping about and finishing without a final conclusion leaving the audience to think of the answers themselves.. Peridot and the director an players gave the audience something to rationalise and the standard reached by the players led to what was possibly the correct solution. A poor standard production could leave the audience up in the air.

An entertaining evening by Peridot Theatre Company leaving the audience with something to think about.

 

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Saltpillar Theatre Company

The Retreat

The Retreat is about four people, three going on a writer's retreat. Rachel has written a film script focusing on the story of Shabbetai Z'vi.
The play opened with David preparing to go to the retreat and arguing with his partner who says he should not go owing to the pressure of work. Then Rachel, a schoolteacher, appears with her preparation to the trip. The set was minimum and opening scene was in front of a scrim. The Retreat basically was represented by a desk and chairs, then a bed then a rear wall of a lounge room. Simple yet effective.
David, a married man, falls for Rachel but as the play eventuates shows that he regularly falls in love with a woman he works with but always goes back to his wife. David was played by David Whitely. D.W. gave a fair performance, diction clear but on a larger stage may not be. David worked well with Eva Parkin as Rachel. Eva gave a good professional portrayal of Rachel, the schoolteacher who fell in love with the wrong man. Eva also had a good rapport with David Demant as her father wolf.
David's (D.W.) partner Jeff was played by Jeremy Levi. Jeff was the more down to earth businessman who had trouble trying to get David to face reality and the business. Jeff played the role with good projection and the correct temperament for such a character.
David Demant as Rachel's father Wolf gave a superb performance. He was in a hospital bed most of the term as the character was in a nursing home. David (D) gave a genuine feeling the father character of Rachel.
The cast handled the production with comfort but as it was written there was not much stage movement and it gave the feel of a radio play done on stage.

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Sherbrooke Theatre Company
Bookings : 0500 807 708

The Rainmaker

Director: Don Harrod

A play that takes place in a western state of the USA in a time of drought in the 1930s. A family worried about the drought and more worried about their unmarried sister and trying to find a husband for her.

Sherbrooke Theatre's crew did a good set of a lounge room of the ranch then the sheriff's office and the Tack Room. A very small stage and it is amazing how the STC's crew construct such successful sets.

Dad, H.C. Curry, was played by Alastair Rice. Rice gave a good performance understanding his daughter's problems and keeping the peace between the siblings.

The eldest son Noah who ran the ranch and tried to run the household the same way, was played by Mark Such. Such captured the character giving a fair performance in the role.

The youngest of the family was Jim Curry played by Jayme Markus. Jim was over whelmed by Noah but was trying to lead his own life. Markus looked the part and played well with Such as Noah.

The boy's sister Lizzie Curry was given a very good performance by Brooke Dillon who handled the character with finesse capturing the various disappointments and successes with ease.

The deputy sheriff File was given a good portrayal by Robert Adorna. Adorna captured the bachelor deputy and prospect for the hand of Lizzie with ease projecting well and a god rapport with Dillon.

Liam Mitchinson was Sheriff Thomas, a small role but handled very well.

The visiting stranger, who upon payment of $100.00 promised rain to break the drought and was thought a conman by Noah and Lizzie was played by Peter Humphries. A very good performance of a conman who was no quite as expected.

A good evening of theatre enjoyed by the opening night audience

 

High Spirits

Director June Pope.

Three small plays written by local performer and playwright Chris Hudson. A delightful evening of simple yet effective fun with the three plays all having a connection with the supernatural.

The evening is opened by a narrator Roger Entwhistle. Chris Hodson as Roger captured the unusual narrator and added to the essence of the evening.

Play 1 Phantom Call

Set in the home of Charlie and Marge Musgrove where every Friday evening Charlie goes to his club and Marge has her friends in for a séance. But! This Friday Charlie's club is closed for renovations and Charlie as settled down to evening following his race form by the fire.

The regular séance team arrives and what happens is rather unexpected by Marge and her friends.

Robert Wilson was Charlie Musgrove. Wilson caught the character of the disbelieving, more interested in his ferrets and the problems of the neighbours pigeons than his wife's séance friends. A good performance particularly showing the actor's craft of the change of personalities where required.

Marge Musgrove was played by Sue Rosic who captured the wife of such a character as Charlie, a complete opposite to Charlie in her beliefs yet still in love with him. An enjoyable performance.

The Medium, Madame Zelda, was given a good portrayal by Emma Barber. Barber captured the Medium, walking around the stage gesticulating and calling the spirits.

Laell Raiteri as Beryl, Simon Cartwright as Mr Percy and Tamara Ungar as Gloria, members of the séance group added to the standard of the production. Alastair Rice as Mr Crimmins barely said a word; he was the receptacle from where the voices from the otherside came through Rice who captured the channeller with professionalism.

The second play was No Chocolates by Request .

A story of a man shot dead in error by a dumb gangster and the result for his wife and in laws.

The deceased Alan was played by Mark Collard. Collard gave a good performance as the ghost who could not leave his home. Gabby, Alan's widow was played by Brooke Dillon. Dillon captured the young widow recovering from the shock of her husband's death and putting up with her mother's comments about what type of husband Alan was. Another good performance. Gail Brackley was Sophie, Gabby's mother. Brackley gave a great interpretation of a nagging mother–in–law type working ell with Bob Bramble as her husband Brian and a good rapport with Brooke Dillon as Gabby.

Bob Bramble as Gabby's father Brian was a good balance to Gail Brackley playing the opposite type character, a henpecked, quiet, shy, not standing up for himself, husband. A good interpretation.

Emma Barber was Gabby's friend Carol who as the story progresses finds a talent she did not know she had. Barber gave a convincing performance as such a character.

Jayme Markus and Si Preest were the two gangsters responsible for the mystery box of chocolates and other troubles for Gabby. Both captured their characters with smoother flowing performances adding to the enjoyment of the production. A small part but essential was that of Carter played by Alastair Rice. Another good performance and well appreciated by the audience.

Play Three was You Never Walk Alone.

A story of a young couple falling in love and wishing to get married. But! There are problems albeit unknown to the young couple.

He was played by Bob Bramble a good performance with a good rapport with Emma Barber as She. Barber gave a very good interpretation of her character and some scenes between the two were excellent.

The young man Justin was given a good performance by Jayme Markus, his fiancé Alana was played by Tamara Ungar. Ungar really captured the quiet not so pretty (with glasses) young lady who stole Justin's heart.

Young Justin's parents came home unexpectedly and added a few embarrassing moments for the young couple. Laell Raiteri was Justin's mother. A good performance quite amusing as she and her husband came in from a mountain climb with all the equipment on and the difficulties of working on a small stage and a large cast. Raiteri handled the scene with aplomb and was a good balance to Simon Cartwright who played her husband Roy. Cartwright handled his role with professionalism and looked as if he was enjoying the role.

A humorous scene was with Macka and Pierre played by Mark Collard and Robert Wilson. To mention their characters would be to give away the plot of the play so suffice it to say they played with professionalism giving the performance expected of the parts.

Kenneth was played by Alastair Rice who captured the character as envisaged. His co-performer Muriel was played successfully by Sue Rosic. Both giving good performances adding to the success of the evening. Si Preest as the Visitor had a small entry in the last few moments but without it the play would have fallen flat.

A successful humorous evening of a light hearted entertainment.

 

Dear Charles

A story of Denise, a successful lady novelist and her three children. The only sign if their father is a portrait of Dear Charles displayed over the fireplace. Then from out of Denise's past come an Englishman, a Frenchman and a Pole. Who are these mystery friends of Denise?

Sherbrooke Theatre's Bob Bramble and stage crew did a wonderful job on the set including a view of a garden through the double doors.

The maid Marsha, a rather cynical person regularly threatening to leave, was very well played by Janet Withers.

The family doctor Edward and friend of Denise was played by Alastair Rice. A good portrayal and Alastair has a good stage presence.

Christopher Cole was the eldest son Walter who has a touch of stuffiness. This feeling was well caught by Christopher.

Joel Zammit was the other son Bruno. A complete contrast to Walter. Bruno was interested in motorbikes and unlike the elegant Walter was usually dressed in overalls. Joel caught the character as envisaged and gave a good performance.

Jennifer White was Martine sister to Walter and Bruno. Jennifer projected with confidence and worked well with both Christopher Cole and Joel Zammit.

Denies Darvel the novelist and the mother with an interesting past was played by Janet Fisher. Janet really caught the character giving a great performance and working well with the other cast members.

Sir Michael Anstruther, Denise's English friend was performed by John Tilbrook. John has good stage presentation and projected well as Sir Michael Anstruther.

The Polish friend of Denise was Jan Letzaresco played by Robert Wilson. Jan was a temperamental pianist and Robert Wilson gave a great character performance.

Christopher O'Connor was the Italian friend Dominique Lecher who was really little known even by Denise. In fact one fault with the writing of the play the playwright said that Denise did not even know Dominique's surname or anything about him yet when she was catching up with her old friends she telegraphed him inviting Dominique to join them all at her home. Not easy when one does not know who she is writing to. This by no means undermines the performances but a fault of the original playwright.

Denise's son Walter and daughter Martine both announced their forthcoming nuptials to Lucienne and her brother Jean-Pierre Duchemme.

Their mother Madame Duchemme was played by June Pope. June played the quiet Madame Duchemme the mother who had a secret, with finesse adding to the enjoyment of the evening.

A good production by Sherbrooke Theatre Company.

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SSTAGStrathmStrathmore Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group ore Theatrical Arts Group
Bookings: 61 3 9361 0562

Romeo & Juliet

Director: Jonne Finnemore

Season: May 29 – June 7. 2008

 

S.T.A.G. produced the original Romeo & Juliet without any updates. A good stage setting of castle walls, balcony and good use made of the auditorium.

Troy Cartwright was Romeo, a good performance although voice could have been a little louder in parts.

Rachael Berry was superb as Juliet. An outstanding portrayal with a wonderful expressive face capturing all the fine nuances of a young girl in love with an enemy of the family.

Judite Smits was Juliet's nurse. A good performance of the devoted servant.

Gary Gartside was Mercutio and Watch giving a fair performance in these roles. Paul Rochford gave a strong performance as Tybalt, Juliet's cousin who was against Romeo.

Brian Moynihan was Father Lawrence who tried to solve the young couple's problems. Moynihan projected well with a good stage presence and gave a good portrayal.

The leaders of the rival families were Capulet played by Dan Boyle and Montague played by Alan Currie. Both men presented well and gave good portrayals. Veronica Hannebery was Lady Capulet mother to Juliet. A fair performance of the mother who put her husband ahead of her daughter's happiness. Gail Grove was Lady Montague and also the Apothecary. Grove captured the characters and projected well.

The Prince of Verona was played by Donal Taylor who was also the narrator. An imposing figure with good stage presence.

Mohammed Atik was Sampson, Peter and the Watch. Atik has good stage projection and gave a strong performance.

A well done performance of an old classic by Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group. .

 

Betty's Birthday

Director & Writer: Cenarth Fox.

A World Premiere of a new Australian play.

It is Betty's 74 th birthday and the family have gathered to celebrate.

A well written production with an amusing and instructive script.; as one member of the preview audience suggested it could be a good educating play for parents and teachers. It is a comedy about sex education and how to tell your young child.

The family in the production was three generations from Betty and her retired Naval husband Rusty their middle-aged son Brian his wife Jean, Brian and Jean's son Andrew and his young lady Leonie.

A well directed production but on preview day there were a couple of dead spots

A busy set of the lounge room and dining area. At one stage the family moved to the dining table for the entree to dinner. The table was toward the rear of the stage when I feel it could have been more to the front as the audience missed some of the finer nuances of the scene.

Some of the scenes were well done with good lighting highlighting of the actors concerned.

A wordy play giving a challenge to the actors.

Shirley Cattunar was the matriarch Betty. Cattunar gave a good portrayal but clarity of the voice could be improved and some expressions could have been used particularly when her husband was with his grandson's girlfriend Leonie.

Rusty, Betty's husband and retired naval officer was played by Chris Gaffney. He caught the character of a chef worrying about his meal but lacked a little of a retired Naval man which could have shown a little disciplinary measure and a military stance.

His son Brian, a middle aged business man who was rather a dull fish. Andrew Ferguson was Brian but really came to life in a scene playing himself at a very young age fishing with his father.

Brian's wife Jean was played by Margaret Healy who gave an even performance. Alexander Moller was Alan Brian and Jean's son. Avery good performance and worked well with Ethelyn Cowley.

Cowley as the girlfriend Leonie gave an outstanding performance working well with all the cast particularly with Chris Gaffney and Alexander Moller.

Another new Australian production well received by the preview audience, well written and the subject matter could be popular as helping in tuition for sex instruction.

 

The Laramie Project

Director Kris Weber.

An unusual play based on a real life happening. In October 1998, a 21 year old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, sever and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie , Wyoming . His name was Matthew Shepard and e was the victim of this assault because he was gay. The writer Mises Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theatre Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and six months interviewing more that 200 people of the town. From these interviews the play was constructed.

S.T.A.G. had a simple set comprising at the rear of the stage there was a white wall in front of which a replica of the fence that Matthew was tied to. Each side of the rear backdrop there was a screen which the relevant slides of Laramie changing as the sites changed in the story. They were also used as TV sets showing the broadcasts across America of the happenings in town. One of the actors had a small camera and used it hen the hospital Chief of Staff was being interviewed by the press, A very interesting addition to the play.

The company consisted of eight actors each playing 9 or 10 roles. A challenge for any actor to remember which role was which and the S.T.A.G. ensemble handled the role changes smoothly and with professionalism.

The play naturally was set in Laramie , Wyoming and it was good to see the cast actually caught the body language of the 20 th century Western USA small town people. Accents did vary a little from easily identifiable American West to not quite Australian but not quite American. But each actor was consistent and did not lose the accent he/she was using. The voices were clear, the standard of acting good and S.T.A.G. presented an unusual but good evening of theatre. Though no fault of S.T.A.G's some of the audience found the play a little long and seemingly drawn out giving the feeling it could do with a little tightening up. But nevertheless a good challenge which the S.T.A.G. company rose to.

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Waverley Theatre
Bookings: 03 9562 2219
61 3 9802 8968 / 61 3 9562 2219

Same Time Next Year

TThe play is set in a Californian country inn where it spans a period of 25 years from 1951 to 1975. The first year George meets Doris and they hit it off. Even though they are both happily married they decide to meet each year at the same weekend.
The lay shows six years over the 25 years with five year intervals.
Waverley Theatre produced a good interior of the country inn with clever changes over the 25 year period. One change which brought a few laughs fro the audience was the increase of National Geographic magazines over the period. The radiogram was updated ad the bedcovers changed to suit fashions. Also on each change the houselights went on and a news boy ran up and down the aisles calling out the headlines of the period. George Karandais gave a genuine feeling performance as the news boy.
Doris was played by Yvonne Butler. Yvonne gave a good performance enhancing the extremes of such a time period and changing from a high school dropout to a hippy to a mature aged student to a successful businesswoman. Not only capturing all these roles showed sympathy and understanding to Georges love and problems.
George was played by Roger Poynder. Roger captured the essence of such a character over the 25 period which included a small time CPA to a top financial advisor, a change from an pro Vietnam feel to strong anti Vietnam to a drop out from business and from a shy useless in an emergency to a confident mature man.
Both players had an excellent rapport giving a wonderful evening.

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Shadowlands

Waverley Theatre's final production for 2003 was William Nicholson's Shadowlands, the story of C. S. Lewis and his romance with the American poet Joy Gresham.
A multilevel set with each level depicting the various areas of the story.
C. S. Lewis was portrayed by George Werther. George caught the character giving the feel of an academic who wanted to help out his American friend and then fell in love which was followed by tragedy. A good performance by George Werther who had a good rapport with Jayne Lindill as Joy Gresham.
Jayne Lindell gave a good interpretation keeping the American accent constant. Jayne was Joy and worked well with George Werther.
Ray Howden was C. S. Lewis's brother Major W. H. Lewis (Warnie). Warnie disliked the advent if Joy Gresham into his brother's life but did become fond of her and her son Douglas. Ray gave a good performance in the role. The role of Douglas, Joy's son was alternated by George Karandais and Anthony Ross. The night this reviewer saw the show Douglas was played by Anthony Ross.
Anthony gave a mature and good performance and gave an excellent scene with George Werther in the time together after his mother had died. A young man with a fine future in theatre.
A good moving production by Waverley Theatre with a high standard from the balance of the cast.
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West Australia

From the West

Rockingham Theatre Company

 

Rockingham Theatre Company have just completed a 3 week season of Ray Cooney's “Caught in the Net”, a comical farce, directed by David Heckingbottom. This is a sequel to his earlier comedy hit, “Run for Your Wife”
Patrons who saw this earlier production will remember the hilarious antics of John Smith and his friend and boarder, Stanley in the endeavours to stop the meeting of John's two wives. This later production is set 18 years later. John has now had a son to one wife and a daughter to the other. The two siblings meet on the Internet and discover they have a father with the same name, same age and who drives a taxi. When this comes to light John again quickly enlists the aid of his dopey boarder, Stanley, which only leads to outrageous lies, mistaken identities and mysterious phone calls. When Stanley 's senile father arrives for a holiday, it stirs up the antics even further. This creates a typical Ray Cooney plot where if anything can go wrong, it will go berserk. The result is laughter by the audience throughout the entire show.
Rockingham Theatre Company at their own Theatre created an overall well presented production. The set was the same as “Run for Your Wife” where the action takes place in the two houses of John Smith, at Streatham and Wimbledon simultaneously, which was well executed, the actors having to use 7 doors in the presentation. The play has to be performed by the cast at a fast rate to make the play work.
In the early performances, this did not quite happen, because of the enormity of the action and dialogue required by all on stage Irrespective of this the play was greatly appreciated by every audiences who went home chuckling or smiling. A patron, who being a nurse at the local hospital, summed up confirmation of the enjoyment by the audience, “We will be treating a lot a patients tomorrow at the Emergency Section for sore jaws”.
One of the great achievements the Rockingham Theatre made for this production was one that every amateur company should strive for and that is, giving budding performers a chance. Out of the cast of seven, four of them were doing their 1 st major appearance on stage. Therefore congratulation to those responsible as the play was an overall success to that end.
A quick resume of the cast is as follows; Ron Gent, an experienced performer in the Rockingham area, played “John Smith”. His portrayal of a man balancing two homes, two wives and two different diets was achieved well. A down to earth approach as a taxi driver of London and a father whose double life is catching up on him. Of course he could not have coped without the help of his boarder “ Stanley Gardner ” played by Rob Walker. This was a role that had to show the audiences a person having a character between a Mr Bean and a Frank Spencer whilst trying to keep everything in order in his friend's life. Rob carried this off to perfection and received great audience reaction from his delivery of dialogue and his sometimes called upon “slapstick” antics.
The two wives, “Mary” and “Barbara” played by Helen Roughly and Sally Payne respectively, being their baptism on a real stage projected the right characters for their roles. As the production progressed it was gratifying to see them develop themselves as actors and there is no doubt after achieving that goal they will no doubt return for more experiences, so well done.
Two other newcomers were Ben Walker, “Gavin Smith” (Barbara's son), and Kaitlyn Barry, “Vicki Smith” (Mary's daughter), played their roles like accomplished veterans. Their timing and diction was excellent and were very believable in their characters and their performances enhanced the production. Both have potential to progress in later years through this experience, especially Ben who is only 14 years and yes, he is the son of Rob Walker and it is always great to see families enjoying challenges together.
The role of “Dad”, Stanley 's father, a senile, bumbling, half deaf and “an eye for the women” was played by Barry Page. Barry has recently arrived in WA from Victoria , ex Babirra Music Theatre member, and on joining the local theatre company acquired this very funny role. Incidentally in London the author, Ray Cooney, originally played this role that later was taken over by the well-known comedienne Eric Sykes. Barry with his experience played the role with confidence and was a great foil for his son Stanley. The delivery of lines was executed with great timing and displayed his past experience of stage and brought great enjoyment to the patrons.
Rockingham Theatre should be satisfied with the enjoyment they brought to the local community in presenting “Caught in the Net”. This community based theatre company was established in 1969 and has served the community well since that time, producing many plays and musicals such as “Annie and Les Miserables” and is a true non-professional group. If you would like be involved in any facet or see their next comedy production “Busybody” which commences on the 1 st of September just ring David on (08) 9527 2882 or 0412 119 122.

 

The Phantom Theatre Goer

 

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BALLET

The Kiev Ballet Tour

 

Swan Lake

Viktor Ishchuk Natalian Domracheva

The Kiev Ballet Tour arrived at The Palais Theatre Melbourne on the weekend of May 3rd & 4 th .

The Saturday production was Swan Lake . A traditional production in which the Kiev Ballet excels.

The company has some wonderful backdrops really giving the feel of the story.

The costumes were colourful and spectacular and when one realises the company is a touring company the maintenance of the sets and costumes must be difficult but very successful as evidenced on the production. A young company with great technical skills but could have a little more zest.

As Prince Siegfried Viktor Ischuk successfully showed the expectations of the character. A wonderful technical dancer catching all the movements as choreographed but could have given a little more zest to the character.

His partner Odette/Odile was danced by Natalian Domracheva. A lovely dancer with great ability and good acting performance. The p