Red Dwarf
Sun, 20 Oct 2002, 01:45 amWalter Plinge3 posts in thread
Red Dwarf
Sun, 20 Oct 2002, 01:45 amRED DWARF, BLAK YAK THEATRE INC., KALAMUNDA PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE:
Well done to cast, crew and director of Blak Yak's Red Dwarf.
I'm not a huge sci fi fan so I haven't seen or heard much of Red Dwarf before, but that is (thankfully) irrelevant as far as this production goes. Apparently the first script of the series was used so it was easy to follow and a great introduction to the characters. Lots of light humor and cartoony silliness!
The use of pre-recorded and 'live' video was a little bumpy, but very clever. Sadly, there were a few technical hitches in the first act, but the cast carried on admirably. Kalamunda PAC is CAVERNOUS so please, please PROJECT!! I'm always being told this anyway, but particularly when I've been on stage up there! The lack of volume is, of course, particularly noticable when some actors are miked and others aren't. However, I never missed a word from about half-way back which is, given the high ceiling and vast stage, a commendable effort.
I believe most writers choose to create a screenplay over a stage play for good reasons. It is difficult to do a snappy scene change unless lighting cues are spot-on and, sadly, cross-fades and close-ups aren't possible on stage. This is something that seems to cause trouble when a screenplay or tv script is adapted for stage. With our amateur theatre budgets and limited rehearsal time, I think its worth keeping in mind limitations as far as effects go.
Well written and imaginative script with smooth comedic dialogue. Delivery is important and I feel an essential element of comedy is timing and pace. All cues need to be snatched without pause. Lister, Rimmer and Holly worked well together as a reluctant trio, each character well-defined, 'bouncing' off each other nicely. Perhaps a little caffeine or jelly beans back stage for some energy wouldn't go astray though, boys! But, as I said, it ain't easy to sail on by those nasty technical gremlins when they rear their ugly heads. Maybe you should also beware of picking up on each other's tempo, although the contrast between the laid-back, slovenly Lister, and the fussy, manic Rimmer was still crisp.
Neat, simplistic costumes that clearly served their purpose as uniforms, and a simple change of shirt for Lister every now and then was a great way of demonstrating his lack of conformity. A set of fangs and some clever posturing made a convincing highly-evolved Cat!
The bunks, a closely placed table and a well-defined patch of light were all that was needed to effectively convey the cramped, military style quarters the two principal characters shared. Although the flats are, of course, only background, the fact that they were not clearly painted I found strangely distracting. I feel that if a little more effort had gone into the set, simplistic or otherwise, it would have enhanced the feel of a lost and aging space craft so much more. Remember that the audience is looking upon the whole scene from a distance, and Kalamunda is HUGE! I feel even a simple set needs to give the appearance of filling the space so that we aren't given the impression of watching a show through a telescope.
The other cast members were extremely giggle-worthy! Elements of trademark Blak Yak Pratchett townsfolk snuck in there... don't think I didn't notice!! And I must have heard about half a dozen audience members say how adorable they found Cat to be! He was also nicely distant from the other characters (just like a cat) while at the same time still fitting into the quirky ensemble.
More highly enjoyable light-hearted weird stuff from Blak Yak. Great work all. I feel it was a 'jolly good' choice for me to see as first show after a long hiatus from 'am dram'. Go see it guys, its worth the trip up that darn hill!
~Tracey.
Well done to cast, crew and director of Blak Yak's Red Dwarf.
I'm not a huge sci fi fan so I haven't seen or heard much of Red Dwarf before, but that is (thankfully) irrelevant as far as this production goes. Apparently the first script of the series was used so it was easy to follow and a great introduction to the characters. Lots of light humor and cartoony silliness!
The use of pre-recorded and 'live' video was a little bumpy, but very clever. Sadly, there were a few technical hitches in the first act, but the cast carried on admirably. Kalamunda PAC is CAVERNOUS so please, please PROJECT!! I'm always being told this anyway, but particularly when I've been on stage up there! The lack of volume is, of course, particularly noticable when some actors are miked and others aren't. However, I never missed a word from about half-way back which is, given the high ceiling and vast stage, a commendable effort.
I believe most writers choose to create a screenplay over a stage play for good reasons. It is difficult to do a snappy scene change unless lighting cues are spot-on and, sadly, cross-fades and close-ups aren't possible on stage. This is something that seems to cause trouble when a screenplay or tv script is adapted for stage. With our amateur theatre budgets and limited rehearsal time, I think its worth keeping in mind limitations as far as effects go.
Well written and imaginative script with smooth comedic dialogue. Delivery is important and I feel an essential element of comedy is timing and pace. All cues need to be snatched without pause. Lister, Rimmer and Holly worked well together as a reluctant trio, each character well-defined, 'bouncing' off each other nicely. Perhaps a little caffeine or jelly beans back stage for some energy wouldn't go astray though, boys! But, as I said, it ain't easy to sail on by those nasty technical gremlins when they rear their ugly heads. Maybe you should also beware of picking up on each other's tempo, although the contrast between the laid-back, slovenly Lister, and the fussy, manic Rimmer was still crisp.
Neat, simplistic costumes that clearly served their purpose as uniforms, and a simple change of shirt for Lister every now and then was a great way of demonstrating his lack of conformity. A set of fangs and some clever posturing made a convincing highly-evolved Cat!
The bunks, a closely placed table and a well-defined patch of light were all that was needed to effectively convey the cramped, military style quarters the two principal characters shared. Although the flats are, of course, only background, the fact that they were not clearly painted I found strangely distracting. I feel that if a little more effort had gone into the set, simplistic or otherwise, it would have enhanced the feel of a lost and aging space craft so much more. Remember that the audience is looking upon the whole scene from a distance, and Kalamunda is HUGE! I feel even a simple set needs to give the appearance of filling the space so that we aren't given the impression of watching a show through a telescope.
The other cast members were extremely giggle-worthy! Elements of trademark Blak Yak Pratchett townsfolk snuck in there... don't think I didn't notice!! And I must have heard about half a dozen audience members say how adorable they found Cat to be! He was also nicely distant from the other characters (just like a cat) while at the same time still fitting into the quirky ensemble.
More highly enjoyable light-hearted weird stuff from Blak Yak. Great work all. I feel it was a 'jolly good' choice for me to see as first show after a long hiatus from 'am dram'. Go see it guys, its worth the trip up that darn hill!
~Tracey.
Re: Red Dwarf
Mon, 21 Oct 2002, 10:23 pmWalter Plinge
I saw Tim's first adaption of Red Dwarf as a one act play and really enjoyed it, and so was looking forward to the extended version and as predicted did, was not dissapointed.
Technical difficulties are to be expected in any show that involves technology. Let's face it you cant beat a human, and being a big fan of the series it fits in with the actual space ship Red Dwarf which always has it's gliches.
The acting was smegging brilliant. The cast do an excellent job of portaying the characters of the series, and yet still able to add their own touch to their character.
In some parts, sitting nearer to the back, I found that it was a little hard to hear. But you can still get the general gist. Other then that the whole play is excellent.
Keep up the good work guys, looking forward to the sequel....
Technical difficulties are to be expected in any show that involves technology. Let's face it you cant beat a human, and being a big fan of the series it fits in with the actual space ship Red Dwarf which always has it's gliches.
The acting was smegging brilliant. The cast do an excellent job of portaying the characters of the series, and yet still able to add their own touch to their character.
In some parts, sitting nearer to the back, I found that it was a little hard to hear. But you can still get the general gist. Other then that the whole play is excellent.
Keep up the good work guys, looking forward to the sequel....