Don's Party

First I should confess I am President of GRADS, and probably biased!
Though I have been quite involved with this show at the administrative level, I didn't get to see the full performance until last night.

What a pleasure to see it really hum along.

Grant Malcolm has done a superlative job here. The casting is absolutely spot on, which I believe to be a huge chunk of a Director's battle, and the cast are beautifully moulded into a smooth ensemble. I felt an excellent chemistry in virtually all the different scenes and combinations of interaction among the characters.

There were some technical glitches with lighting and sound, but nothing that wrought havoc, and they certainly didn't detract much from a simply hilarious evening.

Williamson's immensely "earthy" script has stood up to the test of time very well. A few references, names like Gair and Santamaria, may be a little elusive for the younger generation, but that hardly matters. Yes, there is a political commentary element to the play, but it is primarily a social commentary/comedy, and, as Shakespeare proves time and again, sharply observed stuff about humans and their emotions and inter-relationships doesn't go out of fashion.
"Don's Party" is multi-levelled. Political, social(Sociological?), to some extent a time capsule, and justifiably a "modern classic". But above all it is a COMEDY, showcasing the most colourful and unique Australian vernacular in full filthy f***in' fabulous flight; and this time very well performed. I haven't heard so much laughter in a show for ages.

Dare I mention that it's on for another two weeks, Thursday to Saturday?
6,7,8, 13,14,15 Sept. Dolphin Theatre. UWA. 8pm. Bookings 9451 3799