MONKEY
Fri, 5 Oct 2001, 10:09 pmToby2 posts in thread
MONKEY
Fri, 5 Oct 2001, 10:09 pmShow:
MONKEY! and the Hung Well Monks
Company:
University Dramatic Society, Perth.
Performance:
Friday October 5th, Dolphin Theatre, UWA.
Well, what can I say? As a member of UDS's Alumni, I faithfully have been coming along to the company's shows since I finished with them a few years ago - and for the first time in years, I experienced tonight the halcyon days of UDS coming roaring back to me. Zac Gillam's brilliant adaptation of the cult 70's Chinese TV series 'Monkey' had the capacity crowd at the Dolphin Theatre rolling in the aisles, with carefully timed and subtle wit combining expertly with slapstick humour. The actors seem to have studied hours and hours of footage from the old TV series, brilliantly mimicking the characters of Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaca almost flawlessly. The story plays on the familiar line of the series: Monkey and the gang defend their master Tripitaca from an evil demon, meeting the drunken Hung Well Monks along the way. What we find is a remarkably savvy production, hinging on all of your childhood memories of playing Monkey in the backyard with broomsticks and rakes. Zac Gillam and the company deserve a huge wrap for what they have done - simply the best night (at a little over an hour, perhaps calling it a 'night' is a bit rich) out at the theatre I have had for ages.
An extra show has been scheduled due to the popularity of the production, for saturday night, October 6th. In addition to their 8pm show, they will also give a 9.30 performance, which is the final show in the season. I'm told the final show is bound to be crazy due to closing night adrenaline, so make sure you get down to UWA to have a look! Otherwise, start picketing UDS now for a revival season of this wonderful show - not enough people have seen it yet!!
Do yourself a favour. Have a look and support a great compnay that has fallen on some hard times of late. I have a feeling this little gem will be the must see show of the summer if they are able to get it up again. Twould be a good thing.
Cheers
Toby
MONKEY! and the Hung Well Monks
Company:
University Dramatic Society, Perth.
Performance:
Friday October 5th, Dolphin Theatre, UWA.
Well, what can I say? As a member of UDS's Alumni, I faithfully have been coming along to the company's shows since I finished with them a few years ago - and for the first time in years, I experienced tonight the halcyon days of UDS coming roaring back to me. Zac Gillam's brilliant adaptation of the cult 70's Chinese TV series 'Monkey' had the capacity crowd at the Dolphin Theatre rolling in the aisles, with carefully timed and subtle wit combining expertly with slapstick humour. The actors seem to have studied hours and hours of footage from the old TV series, brilliantly mimicking the characters of Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaca almost flawlessly. The story plays on the familiar line of the series: Monkey and the gang defend their master Tripitaca from an evil demon, meeting the drunken Hung Well Monks along the way. What we find is a remarkably savvy production, hinging on all of your childhood memories of playing Monkey in the backyard with broomsticks and rakes. Zac Gillam and the company deserve a huge wrap for what they have done - simply the best night (at a little over an hour, perhaps calling it a 'night' is a bit rich) out at the theatre I have had for ages.
An extra show has been scheduled due to the popularity of the production, for saturday night, October 6th. In addition to their 8pm show, they will also give a 9.30 performance, which is the final show in the season. I'm told the final show is bound to be crazy due to closing night adrenaline, so make sure you get down to UWA to have a look! Otherwise, start picketing UDS now for a revival season of this wonderful show - not enough people have seen it yet!!
Do yourself a favour. Have a look and support a great compnay that has fallen on some hard times of late. I have a feeling this little gem will be the must see show of the summer if they are able to get it up again. Twould be a good thing.
Cheers
Toby