Butterflies Are Free

OK, no-ones been doing any reviewing lately, which is a bit frustrating/disappointing, so I'm going to jump right in and give the usual 2 cents worth!
"Butterflies are free" is, thankfully, a short play, focusing on a day in the life of blind teenager (we assume, his age is never given) Donny. The play opens quite slowly, and the first 15-20 minutes left me wondering if it was worth staying for the rest. The pace drags becuase we have to "learn" the Don is blind by watching him navigate his apartment a couple of times, which I felt was a bit unnecessary. Playing a blind role is obviously a challenge for a "seeing" actor, but I think Tom Milton pulled it off with a reasonable amount of conviction and believablilty - with a requisite amount of overplaying the disability to highlight it for the audience (and a lot of fortuitious props placing). The play starts to falter, however, on the entrance of "Mrs Benson", Colette Winchester's character - a been-there-done-that free love girl. Her accent unfortunately has serious problems, being only occasionly recognisable as American and often slipping into rather "occer" (spelling?) Australian which jars completely. Indeed, Colette seems miscast in the role, failing to relate any kind of "free spirit" the character calls for- A disappointing performace. The final two characters, Don's Mother and supposed "Rival" (an off-broadway director) played thier thin characters well. Don's mother brought a touching third dimension to the traditional domineering mother figure, precipiating a pleasingly emotional scene towards the end of the play, while Shenandoah's character ("Ralph" I think it was) was merely a plot device and thus difficult to portray with any real depth. His off-hand manner worked well though, although again, the accent could do with some work. Set was detailed and appropriate with un-obtrusive lighting. Overall, "Butterflies" is a mediocre play, done to the best of the cast's abilities. A trite, sentimental comedy which belongs in the period it is set.

anyway - don't take offense anyone - I just want to get other people reviewing things and hearing the "truth" about their performances - not just what their friends and family compliment them with!
Bye =D
SS