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
NathMon, 27 May 2002, 05:42 pm
Who: 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
tomasfordTue, 28 May 2002, 12:21 am
Re: degree absolute
Yes, indeedy, this is definately a production that you have to get along to see! I went on Friday night and it was dynamite but there was hardly anyone there to see it. I know the whole "interrogation" thing can seem very naff (I approached with a little caution) and the play is openly derivative of action film interrogations, which adds to that naff feeling more than a little ("naff". How good a word is that? Seriously!), but it is done very very well here with excellent staging (in the round, which had the effect of making me feel like a security guard watching over the action), acting and a meaningful point being made which makes it much more than the sum of it's influences. And that doesn't even mention the chocolate bar thing which is just brilliant and had me chuckling for the whole weekend.
The performance also includes some mighty fine local glitch techno soundtracking by the masterful Mystery Producer which has got to be one of the most effective and evocative soundtracking jobs done in Perth theatre for quite some time. Much respect.
This is truly provoking, exciting theatre that WILL get you thinking. And if it doesn't then you probably need to trade that worn out brain of yours in. :)
4/5
The performance also includes some mighty fine local glitch techno soundtracking by the masterful Mystery Producer which has got to be one of the most effective and evocative soundtracking jobs done in Perth theatre for quite some time. Much respect.
This is truly provoking, exciting theatre that WILL get you thinking. And if it doesn't then you probably need to trade that worn out brain of yours in. :)
4/5
Walter PlingeWed, 29 May 2002, 09:37 pm
Re: degree absolute
Cynical....moi???
Never!!!!!
1967. The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan and Leo McKern (yay!...an australian) locked in filming of an episode of the (in)famous ITV series The Prisoner (yes kids...not the aussie prison drama...the real deal...available soon on DVD) originally entitled "Degree Absolute".
And PATRICK Spicer played "The Prisoner". Hah!!! Forgive my mirth...my laughter at the obvious. We are onto you Jo and Patrick and co. And don't think I haven't cottoned onto your part in this plot Nath.....or should I call you Rover.
Dribble dribble dribble...I am not a number, I'm A REAL MAN!!!
hahahahahahahahaha
Maddly...in Busselton...by the beach. Busselton...wheres there is no map showing anything outside the confines of...BUSSELTON!!!
Be seeing you
Muzz (aka Number 2)
PS Sorry, couldn't help it
Never!!!!!
1967. The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan and Leo McKern (yay!...an australian) locked in filming of an episode of the (in)famous ITV series The Prisoner (yes kids...not the aussie prison drama...the real deal...available soon on DVD) originally entitled "Degree Absolute".
And PATRICK Spicer played "The Prisoner". Hah!!! Forgive my mirth...my laughter at the obvious. We are onto you Jo and Patrick and co. And don't think I haven't cottoned onto your part in this plot Nath.....or should I call you Rover.
Dribble dribble dribble...I am not a number, I'm A REAL MAN!!!
hahahahahahahahaha
Maddly...in Busselton...by the beach. Busselton...wheres there is no map showing anything outside the confines of...BUSSELTON!!!
Be seeing you
Muzz (aka Number 2)
PS Sorry, couldn't help it
Walter PlingeWed, 29 May 2002, 09:53 pm
The greasy ABBA salute
Oh God!! I've lost it. I apologise for my naughty assumptions about your possible plagiarism of classic British sci-fi/fantasy. I'm stuck in Busselton and missed the auditions for a Bunbury production of "Popcorn" yesterday due to a cursed bastard of a newsletter editor.
Admit it...you'd feel the same
Muzz
PS Am available for weddings, barmitzvahs and brothels. Call me...you know you need me in your play.
Admit it...you'd feel the same
Muzz
PS Am available for weddings, barmitzvahs and brothels. Call me...you know you need me in your play.
NathThu, 30 May 2002, 03:22 pm
Re: degree absolute
Murray Murray Murray... You're just jealous because you're not up here where the ACTION is!
And yes the play is based on that theme, and yes it is no secret the final episode of The Prisoner had the working title "Degree Absolute", but this script is completely original. Naught to do with that show.
And I am SHOCKED that you think I am in anyway BIASED in my reviews... Absolutely not. I may be 'close' to Jo and Patrick - but I have no need to curry their favour.
And I AM A REAL MAN, come on girls let me prove it to you!
Nath - who is an individual
PS And yes that was my answering machine you got the other day (it wasn't my fault).
Thou rank toad-spotted boar-pig!
And yes the play is based on that theme, and yes it is no secret the final episode of The Prisoner had the working title "Degree Absolute", but this script is completely original. Naught to do with that show.
And I am SHOCKED that you think I am in anyway BIASED in my reviews... Absolutely not. I may be 'close' to Jo and Patrick - but I have no need to curry their favour.
And I AM A REAL MAN, come on girls let me prove it to you!
Nath - who is an individual
PS And yes that was my answering machine you got the other day (it wasn't my fault).
Thou rank toad-spotted boar-pig!
patrick spicerThu, 30 May 2002, 06:20 pm
Re: degree absolute
Obviously our dear Murray has been living in fair Busso for too long (that acidic Emu Export starting to sting your intestines yet - or does the flannel shirt keep them warm?)
What little Murray would have known, had he chosen to get off his bank-telling butt and dragged his alcohol-soaked carcass up to Perth to see the show, was that Degree Absolute (the play) IS actually based on the old 60's series The Prisoner (starring PATRICK McGoohan).
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.
Degree Absolute, as a story, is loosely based on that final interrogation scene, but somewhat 'updated' for now.
So there you go, Muzza, you're not so smart after all. In fact, the only thing you're "onto" is that strangely-shaped vibrating device you bought from Club X last time you disgraced us with your presence.
Hugs and cuddles.
Patrick McSpicer
Thou venomed fool-born moldwarp!
What little Murray would have known, had he chosen to get off his bank-telling butt and dragged his alcohol-soaked carcass up to Perth to see the show, was that Degree Absolute (the play) IS actually based on the old 60's series The Prisoner (starring PATRICK McGoohan).
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.
Degree Absolute, as a story, is loosely based on that final interrogation scene, but somewhat 'updated' for now.
So there you go, Muzza, you're not so smart after all. In fact, the only thing you're "onto" is that strangely-shaped vibrating device you bought from Club X last time you disgraced us with your presence.
Hugs and cuddles.
Patrick McSpicer
Thou venomed fool-born moldwarp!
Walter PlingeThu, 30 May 2002, 10:19 pm
Re: degree absolute
Hahaha,
I like the part about the flannel shirt and the vibrating device
*Laughs*
I like the part about the flannel shirt and the vibrating device
*Laughs*
Gordon the OptomThu, 30 May 2002, 11:41 pm
Re: degree absolute
On a cold winter's night what would make me want to leave the fire, travel to the Blue Room and see a play which, from the picture on the net, just looks like another mindless violent bit of rubbish? The answer for going to the theatre? The director, Jo Marsh, who has proved herself many times, Paul Goddard - one of Perth's most versatile young actors and Patrick Spicer who has been in some shows of variable quality but I knew had potential.
Then one reads the drivel written by some of the reviewers and one wonders what is the play really like. It is a bit like the 'Prisioner' and also Hugo Weavings 'The Interview' but in truth SO MUCH BETTER.
The play, written by Grant Watson, is outstanding and with the use of very subtle light changes by Jo Marsh, makes the most absorbing piece of 'fear study' I have seen. The play takes place in the round, with Ryan (Goddard) being determined to get information out of the miserable wretch (Spicer) even if it means killing him. Spicer was superb and doesn't give up his tremble and obvious suffering for a second. I won't spoil the story, but just say YES getting out on a cold night was worth the bother. A total success by the complete team.
Gordon
Then one reads the drivel written by some of the reviewers and one wonders what is the play really like. It is a bit like the 'Prisioner' and also Hugo Weavings 'The Interview' but in truth SO MUCH BETTER.
The play, written by Grant Watson, is outstanding and with the use of very subtle light changes by Jo Marsh, makes the most absorbing piece of 'fear study' I have seen. The play takes place in the round, with Ryan (Goddard) being determined to get information out of the miserable wretch (Spicer) even if it means killing him. Spicer was superb and doesn't give up his tremble and obvious suffering for a second. I won't spoil the story, but just say YES getting out on a cold night was worth the bother. A total success by the complete team.
Gordon
Walter PlingeSat, 1 June 2002, 12:02 am
Re: degree absolute
I know what you're thinking. You think I feel very small now don't you?
Yeah o.k.....you're right.
I cried into my flannel shirt as I read the stinging comments.
"Curse your metal body" I said to the strange vibrating device I had purchased from Club X in my best threepio-impersonating voice.
I chugged another Emu Export in an attempt to boost my flagging spirits. I was not, as they had correctly pointed out, where it was all happening - "sob, sob". How could a once proud bank manager have slipped so low in the estimation of his comrades? Could Busselton do this to a person? There was only one way to redeem himself. He would drag his alcohol-soaked arse up to Perth the next time those bastards trod the boards and he'd be equipped to give a truly biting review as a result.
Meantime he returned to work on his script adaptation of the classic Cramps song "Bikini Girls With Machine Guns".............
Later dudes
PS I hate you all...goes without saying really
Yeah o.k.....you're right.
I cried into my flannel shirt as I read the stinging comments.
"Curse your metal body" I said to the strange vibrating device I had purchased from Club X in my best threepio-impersonating voice.
I chugged another Emu Export in an attempt to boost my flagging spirits. I was not, as they had correctly pointed out, where it was all happening - "sob, sob". How could a once proud bank manager have slipped so low in the estimation of his comrades? Could Busselton do this to a person? There was only one way to redeem himself. He would drag his alcohol-soaked arse up to Perth the next time those bastards trod the boards and he'd be equipped to give a truly biting review as a result.
Meantime he returned to work on his script adaptation of the classic Cramps song "Bikini Girls With Machine Guns".............
Later dudes
PS I hate you all...goes without saying really
Walter PlingeSat, 1 June 2002, 11:05 pm
Re: degree absolute
"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.
patrick spicerMon, 3 June 2002, 12:31 pm
Re: degree absolute
Well, now the show is over (and my leg will finally get a chance to heal!!) I just want to thank everyone who came to see Degree Absolute. It was quite a ride for both the cast and the audience. Its not everyday a script like this comes along and I am very glad to have been a part of it this time.
Thank you also for your comments here (yes even you, Murray. You know I love you - in that M-16, suicide bomber kind of way).
Till next time.
Thank you also for your comments here (yes even you, Murray. You know I love you - in that M-16, suicide bomber kind of way).
Till next time.