PLAYING SINATRA

There are times when every aspect of a production comes together in just the right way. "Playing Sinatra" has done just that!

Superlatives like "Gripping", "Riveting", "Tense" and phrases like "This is a must-see show" , "Superb acting" and "Possibly the best play I've seen this year" from our first 2 nights have initiated the addition of an extra public performance on Sunday May 6th at 7pm ($17 inc Fish and Chip Supper).

This will give everyone an extra opportunity to see it.

In case anyone is just using the email and can't get into the 'What's On", remaining dates are:
Fri 27th, Sat 28th April
Fri 4th, Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Wed 9th, Fri 11th, Sat 12th May
Ticket Prices:
$13 Wed/Fri; $9 conc.; $17 Sat (inc Fish and Chips)
Tickets - Phone Nightingales Pharmacy - 9293 2621

Ha! Talk about blowing your own horn - not that there's anything wrong with that (unless you're Randall Graves' cousin, Walter).

"Possibly the best play I've seen this year." I'm afraid that was my quote. I saw "Playing Sinatra" last week and was blown away by the onstage performances. Advertised as "A Powerful Psychological Drama", this latest production from KADS certainly didn't disappoint.

A strong cast of three held the audience captivated as the protagonists' sad little story unfolded. All three actors played against type: Ben Sorgiovanni as a menacing simpleton; Lucy Eyre as a dowdy frump; and Chris Thomas as a pretentious tosser. Well, okay, maybe not ALL against type (heh heh heh).

Quoted from the programme: Set in an oppressive household in London, grown-up siblings Norman (Ben) and Sandra (Lucy), try to resist their lonely future by living out their fantasies in the music of their idol, Frank Sinatra. You will be subjected to an absorbing display of the fragilities of mentally-disturbed Norman as he battles for the attention of Sandra, and how she, wanting to break free of her existence, her job, and her younger brother's needs, finds a boyfriend - the older and less-than-straightforward Phillip (Chris).

The acting was superb - particularly from Ben in the role of a lifetime. The script was unnerving and, at times, made your skin crawl. The set was great - as it always is at KADS (or indeed at most theatres who have their own venue where you've got 6 weeks to put a set up instead of 60 minutes). The only negatives I could pick (if I was forced) were the sound and lights. At times, the sound took vital seconds to arrive - distracting in a play that depends so heavily on music; and while the lights usually faded slowly at the end of each scene, they tended to shoot back on in an annoyingly blinding flash (but maybe that's just me).

Congatulations to director Michael Taylor, and once again to Chris, Lucy and particularly Ben. Go and see this show if you want to see some truly fine performances.

JB

It is refreshing to see clubs attempt plays that not only test the mettle of their casts, but also those of their audiences. In their perceptive choice of Bernard Kops' "Playing Sinatra", KADS have demonstrated a willingness to push the experince of their audiences beyond the all-too-often profferred "Whoops, Where Are My Pants?" or that evergreen favourite "Two Women Arguing Shrilly".

Jarrod's post gives you synopsis- check it out. Suffice it to say this production has lived up to its publicity- it is indeed exceptional. A taut script handled treated with restraint from director Michael Taylor is performed with relish by its cast.

Ben Sorgiovanni's performance as the simple yet threatening Norman is quite simply extraordinary. Here is an actor destined for great things- every nuance of Norman's instability was explored GRACEFULLY- a lesser actor would have given a ham-fisted reading. Sorgiovanni plays Norman with verve, humour, charisma, passion and compassion, and the end result is mesmeric and unmissable. Ben- you BASTARD!!! :-)

Equally rivetting is Sandra, played beautifully by Lucy Eyres. Giving a perfectly measured performance, from the slightly unhinged and somewhat dowdy sister of the effervescent Norman, to the determined and world-worn woman that leaves the stage in Act 2, Lucy gives a performance that rings true in practically every instance.

Faced with the task of playing the World's Most (Apparently) Boring Man, Chris Thomas, performing as the role of Phillip, is a trifle forced in his delivery. Whilst the siblings are utterly believable at all times, Chris seemed somewhat uncomfortable in a role which was the meat in the sibling sandwich. However the role is not written as a showstopper- unlike the role of Norman.

Lights, and particularly sound - hats off to David Newland for making the music appear to come out of where the stereo was onstage, as opposed to through the FOH speakers!! YOU DA MAN!!!- were well managed on this Friday night, and I couldn't notice any glitches in any respect.

Thank you to Michael Taylor, his cast and crew, and to KADS- for giving us a standard of show we don't often see, let alone executed at this calibre.

Eliot

There y'are Jarrod. How's THAT for a review?

Woo-Hoo! An excellent review - far better than the crap I usually spout - and in recognition of a truly deserving production.

Try to get tickets to this show. Far be it for me to suggest that people turn up to KADS without a valid reservation, but if you're told it's "SOLD OUT", just remember:
- there's always a chance someone will cancel thus leaving available seats;
- KADS rarely turn people away (unless it gets REALLY overcrowded).

JB