WOLF LULLABY- Sweet dreams...
Wed, 29 Aug 2001, 12:09 amEliot McCann3 posts in thread
WOLF LULLABY- Sweet dreams...
Wed, 29 Aug 2001, 12:09 amProduction: "Wolf Lullaby" by Hilary Bell
Company: The Caution Horse Collective
Venue: The Rechabites Hall, Northbridge
Date 28/8/2001
What do you do with the following? Three chairs, a doll, minimal props, three overhead projectors, a couple of stencils, four willing actors, a lacklustre script and a derelict barn. If you are Indira McDonald- you make magic.
McDonald's unparalleled gift for design adn disciplined direction has made this play a not-to-be-missed event. If you REALLY want to see what can made with the meagrest resources, this is THE show to see. In fact at this point in time, this is THE show to see; full stop.
Taking its lead from the case of Jamie Bolger, "Wolf Lullaby" asks its audience to contemplate what drives the "innocent" children to be so cruel, so brutal. Are they really capable of killing without remorse? What does this do to the child? What does it do to the family?
Without dwelling too much on the performers (I say this due to the obvious bias!) all four bring out the honesty of each character, sometimes to heart-wrenching degree. Jamie Cant as Ray marks his return to the stage after an absence of six years (blimey!) with a well-tempered performance that is almost elegant. Nice to see a cop not played in the time-honoured Tony Martin "Wildside" style.
Craig Williams as Warren was superb as the bewildered father. Warren's struggle to grasp the possibility his daughter may be a murderer was genuine at every instance, and very touching to see a "bloke" played with such empathy.
It was a delight to see Jenny McCann onstage again, after her leave of absence. It was also a delight to hear these lines ACTED, as opposed to running them with her on a nightly basis!! I will say nothing of Jenny's performance (not really my place), but those who know her past work will not be disappointed with her role.
Amanda Crewes was ASTONISHING!!! I was waiting to see how the issue of an adult playing a nine-year-old would be handled; the answer is "with aplomb". Amanda carries off this feat with such conviction that it is difficult to reconcile the knowledge of her true age with the little girl depicted onstage. Nothing over the top- just enough to make the daughter Lizzie "real". I'm still at a loss to figure how Amanda did this; I envy your performance dreadfully.
"Wolf Lullaby" is what I am led to believe is known as an "unsupported assessment" for Indira's final year at WAAPA. Which begs the question; what on earth could she do with a "supported" environment? And all things being equal WAAPA, if they have any sense, should see just what Indira is capable of by giving her a season where she can let her fertile imagination run riot with every resource WAAPA commands. The result would, I guarantee, be extraordinary.
I am not going to spoil the impact of the show by telling you about how the design works, or how the "illusions" are created. The only way the true impact of this show can be conveyed is by going to see it. Suffice it say "Wolf Lullaby" is a triumph on every level. Artistically, dramatically, emotionally- we have seen the future of Perth theatre, and it needs an audience NOW.
Tickets are $15/$12 and can be booked on 9454 4620. "Wolf Lullaby" starts at 8pm and runs every night until Sunday Sept 2.
Eliot McCann
Company: The Caution Horse Collective
Venue: The Rechabites Hall, Northbridge
Date 28/8/2001
What do you do with the following? Three chairs, a doll, minimal props, three overhead projectors, a couple of stencils, four willing actors, a lacklustre script and a derelict barn. If you are Indira McDonald- you make magic.
McDonald's unparalleled gift for design adn disciplined direction has made this play a not-to-be-missed event. If you REALLY want to see what can made with the meagrest resources, this is THE show to see. In fact at this point in time, this is THE show to see; full stop.
Taking its lead from the case of Jamie Bolger, "Wolf Lullaby" asks its audience to contemplate what drives the "innocent" children to be so cruel, so brutal. Are they really capable of killing without remorse? What does this do to the child? What does it do to the family?
Without dwelling too much on the performers (I say this due to the obvious bias!) all four bring out the honesty of each character, sometimes to heart-wrenching degree. Jamie Cant as Ray marks his return to the stage after an absence of six years (blimey!) with a well-tempered performance that is almost elegant. Nice to see a cop not played in the time-honoured Tony Martin "Wildside" style.
Craig Williams as Warren was superb as the bewildered father. Warren's struggle to grasp the possibility his daughter may be a murderer was genuine at every instance, and very touching to see a "bloke" played with such empathy.
It was a delight to see Jenny McCann onstage again, after her leave of absence. It was also a delight to hear these lines ACTED, as opposed to running them with her on a nightly basis!! I will say nothing of Jenny's performance (not really my place), but those who know her past work will not be disappointed with her role.
Amanda Crewes was ASTONISHING!!! I was waiting to see how the issue of an adult playing a nine-year-old would be handled; the answer is "with aplomb". Amanda carries off this feat with such conviction that it is difficult to reconcile the knowledge of her true age with the little girl depicted onstage. Nothing over the top- just enough to make the daughter Lizzie "real". I'm still at a loss to figure how Amanda did this; I envy your performance dreadfully.
"Wolf Lullaby" is what I am led to believe is known as an "unsupported assessment" for Indira's final year at WAAPA. Which begs the question; what on earth could she do with a "supported" environment? And all things being equal WAAPA, if they have any sense, should see just what Indira is capable of by giving her a season where she can let her fertile imagination run riot with every resource WAAPA commands. The result would, I guarantee, be extraordinary.
I am not going to spoil the impact of the show by telling you about how the design works, or how the "illusions" are created. The only way the true impact of this show can be conveyed is by going to see it. Suffice it say "Wolf Lullaby" is a triumph on every level. Artistically, dramatically, emotionally- we have seen the future of Perth theatre, and it needs an audience NOW.
Tickets are $15/$12 and can be booked on 9454 4620. "Wolf Lullaby" starts at 8pm and runs every night until Sunday Sept 2.
Eliot McCann
Apologies for the Overkill!!
Wed, 29 Aug 2001, 12:12 amYes I know!!!! It went up twice!! Before you all start screaming your heads off, THIS IS NOT DELIBERATE on my part. The technology gangeth up on me...
Eliot "Luddite" McCann
Eliot "Luddite" McCann