degree absolute
Mon, 27 May 2002, 05:42 pmNath12 posts in thread
degree absolute
Mon, 27 May 2002, 05:42 pmWho: Vagabond Theatre
What: DEGREE ABSOLUTE
Where: The Blue Room Theatre
I love it when theatre really makes you think. When it confronts your preconceived ideals and morals, shakes them about, and then says: now what do you think? I am still thinking about Degree Absolute, 3 days after seeing it.
The play is basically the interrogation of a prisoner. One held without charge or trial.
The ease with which Patrick Spicer and Paul Goddard work together was refreshing. Patrick portrayed Mr X (I'll call him that because I shouldn't say his name) the suspected terrorist with just the right mix of fear and resentment. Was he innocent? Or guilty? Or was that just not the point? Paul portrayed Alex, the "analyst", with just as much balance. Revealing both a zealot and man who truly cared for his friends.
The staging was very effective too, it's simplicity a contrast to the complex issue being debated.
There was a really interesting use of music and lighting to alter the mood in the theatre. It wasn't done in a particularly subtle way, more a non-naturalistic way - these things wouldn't normally change in a cell! But the effect was really good and didn't seem at all contrived.
I really think it's a play appropriate to our time, especially given the Federal Government's desire to change laws regarding detaining suspected "terrorists" without trial.
Well done Jo and co!
Cheers
Nath
What: DEGREE ABSOLUTE
Where: The Blue Room Theatre
I love it when theatre really makes you think. When it confronts your preconceived ideals and morals, shakes them about, and then says: now what do you think? I am still thinking about Degree Absolute, 3 days after seeing it.
The play is basically the interrogation of a prisoner. One held without charge or trial.
The ease with which Patrick Spicer and Paul Goddard work together was refreshing. Patrick portrayed Mr X (I'll call him that because I shouldn't say his name) the suspected terrorist with just the right mix of fear and resentment. Was he innocent? Or guilty? Or was that just not the point? Paul portrayed Alex, the "analyst", with just as much balance. Revealing both a zealot and man who truly cared for his friends.
The staging was very effective too, it's simplicity a contrast to the complex issue being debated.
There was a really interesting use of music and lighting to alter the mood in the theatre. It wasn't done in a particularly subtle way, more a non-naturalistic way - these things wouldn't normally change in a cell! But the effect was really good and didn't seem at all contrived.
I really think it's a play appropriate to our time, especially given the Federal Government's desire to change laws regarding detaining suspected "terrorists" without trial.
Well done Jo and co!
Cheers
Nath
Re: degree absolute
Sat, 1 June 2002, 11:05 pmWalter Plinge
"The last episode DID have the working title of Degree Absolute, but was not ultimately used, hence the reason the writer (do I have to tell you he's a Prisoner fan?) chose that title."
Well if Patrick McGoohan didn't want it, the title seemed to be up for grabs.
Hmm. Patrick McGoohan. Patrick Spicer. There is no truth to the rumour that they were planning to force Paul Goddard to change his name to Leo.
The play Degree Absolute essentially spun out of (a) wanting to put on the Prisoner episode "Once Upon A Time" as a play, (b) realising how difficult it would be to get ITC and Patrick McGoohan to agree to that, and (c) realising it would be possible to write a completely unrelated story that simply uses the same conceit of two actors verbally sparring in a room.
There is one quote from The Prisoner carefully secreted within the play, though, for the observant and embarrassingly geeky.
Cheers!
Grant.
Well if Patrick McGoohan didn't want it, the title seemed to be up for grabs.
Hmm. Patrick McGoohan. Patrick Spicer. There is no truth to the rumour that they were planning to force Paul Goddard to change his name to Leo.
The play Degree Absolute essentially spun out of (a) wanting to put on the Prisoner episode "Once Upon A Time" as a play, (b) realising how difficult it would be to get ITC and Patrick McGoohan to agree to that, and (c) realising it would be possible to write a completely unrelated story that simply uses the same conceit of two actors verbally sparring in a room.
There is one quote from The Prisoner carefully secreted within the play, though, for the observant and embarrassingly geeky.
Cheers!
Grant.
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