Talented Locals Impress!
Sun, 17 Sept 2000, 11:58 amWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
Talented Locals Impress!
Sun, 17 Sept 2000, 11:58 amLast night I spent a wonderous night at the theatre. For only two dollars I got to see two excellent locally written short plays (with a delicious supper thrown in). "Affinity's End" by Amanda Crewes and "No Stamp Required" by Jarrad West and Carmen Braidwood played as a double bill at Hackett Hall.
"No Stamp Required", which ponders life after high school, was written for Jarrad and Carmen's Year Twelve graduation and won last years ITA Youth Festival. It is a cute and funny piece but with an important message for school leavers. I missed some of the initial dialogue due to it being slightly rushed but the actors soon relaxed and slowed down. The set and the lighting were simple and effective. I particularly liked the powerful image which was created by the single over-head light shining down on Carmen and her burning envelope. Jarrad and Carmen have such talent and vitality and the singing from these 'youngsters' was especially delightful.
Just when I thought that Amanda Crewes was only smart, gorgeous and talented I find out that she is also a fantastic writer. I am sorry that I never saw Amanda's last two plays. "Affinity's End", skillfully directed by David Crewes, was a wonderful journey through the relationship of a Mars and Venus couple. It was incredibly funny one moment and terribly sad the next. The dialogue was mostly naturalistic and very real but at times it was pure poetry and I enjoyed every word which was spoken. Like "No Stamp Required" before it, the set and lighting (Hywell Williams) were simple and effective. I felt that the music between scenes was not necessary because each scene left the audience feeling something different and the music was the same all the way through. This did not deter from such an excellent play though. The acting was also excellent. Alex McLennan gave his best performance yet and proved that he isn't just a musical theatre funny man. He had many in the audience in tears, including me, in his final scene. Amanda and Conrad Crisafulli were perfect in their roles. I was so proud of all involved and encourage everyone to see this play at the festival.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this excellent night.
"No Stamp Required", which ponders life after high school, was written for Jarrad and Carmen's Year Twelve graduation and won last years ITA Youth Festival. It is a cute and funny piece but with an important message for school leavers. I missed some of the initial dialogue due to it being slightly rushed but the actors soon relaxed and slowed down. The set and the lighting were simple and effective. I particularly liked the powerful image which was created by the single over-head light shining down on Carmen and her burning envelope. Jarrad and Carmen have such talent and vitality and the singing from these 'youngsters' was especially delightful.
Just when I thought that Amanda Crewes was only smart, gorgeous and talented I find out that she is also a fantastic writer. I am sorry that I never saw Amanda's last two plays. "Affinity's End", skillfully directed by David Crewes, was a wonderful journey through the relationship of a Mars and Venus couple. It was incredibly funny one moment and terribly sad the next. The dialogue was mostly naturalistic and very real but at times it was pure poetry and I enjoyed every word which was spoken. Like "No Stamp Required" before it, the set and lighting (Hywell Williams) were simple and effective. I felt that the music between scenes was not necessary because each scene left the audience feeling something different and the music was the same all the way through. This did not deter from such an excellent play though. The acting was also excellent. Alex McLennan gave his best performance yet and proved that he isn't just a musical theatre funny man. He had many in the audience in tears, including me, in his final scene. Amanda and Conrad Crisafulli were perfect in their roles. I was so proud of all involved and encourage everyone to see this play at the festival.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this excellent night.
RE: Yes he did!
Mon, 18 Sept 2000, 04:20 pmWalter Plinge
Indeedidoo he did!