The Wee Small Hours
Mon, 18 Nov 2002, 01:17 amWalter Plinge1 post in thread
The Wee Small Hours
Mon, 18 Nov 2002, 01:17 amWHAT: The Wee Small Hours
WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2002
WHERE: KADS, Kalamunda, WA
Yes, it's an appropriate time to be writing this. "The Wee Small Hours" opens in the middle of the night as Perth actress Sara (Joy Northover) receives a phone call from Glasgow. Her sister, Nan (Sandra Sando) is coming to Perth for a visit. Visit she does, and they (and we) find out all about their romances, affairs, and regret-filled pasts.
As you might have guessed from that opening synopsis, "The Wee Small Hours" is a locally-written production. Playwright Alice Dale has crafted a warm, engaging full-length comedy and set it in an East Perth townhouse. If the concept of a new, WA-written and WA-based production isn't encouragement enough, the cast should provide added enticement.
Despite there being a twelve inch height difference, and a six hundred mile accent difference, Joy and Sandra make remarkably convincing sisters. Act One is almost completely devoted to their catching-up and sharing of secrets. Whilst always interesting, I did think the pace and the cues could have been picked up a little during some of the one-on-one dialogue. Nevertheless, the talent, charisma and chemistry of the two leads kept us attentive.
Dowal Hall presented a nicely subdued performance as the toy boy for Joy. Her younger lover (by 15 years) and also the SM on her current production (for Dean's benefit, that's Stage Manager not Sado-Masochist), I did want him to speak up once or twice, but as a colleague pointed out, "When have you ever heard a tekkie speak clearly?" (All complaints cheerfully forwarded.) As I said, a nice, down-to-earth performance, definitely essential as a contrast to the other, larger-than-life characters.
The foursome was rounded off with Kim Taylor as Greg. Yes, when the lead actor in Sara's current production breaks a knee, who should replace him but Sara's ex-lover and father of the child she once relinquished for adoption. After all we'd heard of him (during the sisters' conversations) we were ready to lynch him when he turned up at the end of Act One. It's testament to Kim's performance then, that he managed to wheedle his way back into our (and Sara's) sympathies.
As usual with KADS, the set was superb. A picture window, scenic balcony and fully functional (and utilized) spiral staircase set the scene wonderfully. I realize that the temptation to use Sinatra singing "The Wee Small Hours" must have been great, but I didn't like its distracting use all through Scene 1, competing with Sara on the phone. Costuming was good - especially Dowal in his perfect all black SM gear, but a bit of overkill to have two other characters in all black at the same time, I thought.
Overall a good, fun show, filled with laughs. Congratulations to director Terry Hackett for taking a chance on a new production and to Alice Dale for writing it for us. A little bit schmaltzy in places, but the characters rang true (if you can get past the concept of a professional actress based in Perth being able to afford a luxury townhouse, heh) and we all had a good laugh. Thanks again.
JB
WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2002
WHERE: KADS, Kalamunda, WA
Yes, it's an appropriate time to be writing this. "The Wee Small Hours" opens in the middle of the night as Perth actress Sara (Joy Northover) receives a phone call from Glasgow. Her sister, Nan (Sandra Sando) is coming to Perth for a visit. Visit she does, and they (and we) find out all about their romances, affairs, and regret-filled pasts.
As you might have guessed from that opening synopsis, "The Wee Small Hours" is a locally-written production. Playwright Alice Dale has crafted a warm, engaging full-length comedy and set it in an East Perth townhouse. If the concept of a new, WA-written and WA-based production isn't encouragement enough, the cast should provide added enticement.
Despite there being a twelve inch height difference, and a six hundred mile accent difference, Joy and Sandra make remarkably convincing sisters. Act One is almost completely devoted to their catching-up and sharing of secrets. Whilst always interesting, I did think the pace and the cues could have been picked up a little during some of the one-on-one dialogue. Nevertheless, the talent, charisma and chemistry of the two leads kept us attentive.
Dowal Hall presented a nicely subdued performance as the toy boy for Joy. Her younger lover (by 15 years) and also the SM on her current production (for Dean's benefit, that's Stage Manager not Sado-Masochist), I did want him to speak up once or twice, but as a colleague pointed out, "When have you ever heard a tekkie speak clearly?" (All complaints cheerfully forwarded.) As I said, a nice, down-to-earth performance, definitely essential as a contrast to the other, larger-than-life characters.
The foursome was rounded off with Kim Taylor as Greg. Yes, when the lead actor in Sara's current production breaks a knee, who should replace him but Sara's ex-lover and father of the child she once relinquished for adoption. After all we'd heard of him (during the sisters' conversations) we were ready to lynch him when he turned up at the end of Act One. It's testament to Kim's performance then, that he managed to wheedle his way back into our (and Sara's) sympathies.
As usual with KADS, the set was superb. A picture window, scenic balcony and fully functional (and utilized) spiral staircase set the scene wonderfully. I realize that the temptation to use Sinatra singing "The Wee Small Hours" must have been great, but I didn't like its distracting use all through Scene 1, competing with Sara on the phone. Costuming was good - especially Dowal in his perfect all black SM gear, but a bit of overkill to have two other characters in all black at the same time, I thought.
Overall a good, fun show, filled with laughs. Congratulations to director Terry Hackett for taking a chance on a new production and to Alice Dale for writing it for us. A little bit schmaltzy in places, but the characters rang true (if you can get past the concept of a professional actress based in Perth being able to afford a luxury townhouse, heh) and we all had a good laugh. Thanks again.
JB
Walter PlingeMon, 18 Nov 2002, 01:17 am
WHAT: The Wee Small Hours
WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2002
WHERE: KADS, Kalamunda, WA
Yes, it's an appropriate time to be writing this. "The Wee Small Hours" opens in the middle of the night as Perth actress Sara (Joy Northover) receives a phone call from Glasgow. Her sister, Nan (Sandra Sando) is coming to Perth for a visit. Visit she does, and they (and we) find out all about their romances, affairs, and regret-filled pasts.
As you might have guessed from that opening synopsis, "The Wee Small Hours" is a locally-written production. Playwright Alice Dale has crafted a warm, engaging full-length comedy and set it in an East Perth townhouse. If the concept of a new, WA-written and WA-based production isn't encouragement enough, the cast should provide added enticement.
Despite there being a twelve inch height difference, and a six hundred mile accent difference, Joy and Sandra make remarkably convincing sisters. Act One is almost completely devoted to their catching-up and sharing of secrets. Whilst always interesting, I did think the pace and the cues could have been picked up a little during some of the one-on-one dialogue. Nevertheless, the talent, charisma and chemistry of the two leads kept us attentive.
Dowal Hall presented a nicely subdued performance as the toy boy for Joy. Her younger lover (by 15 years) and also the SM on her current production (for Dean's benefit, that's Stage Manager not Sado-Masochist), I did want him to speak up once or twice, but as a colleague pointed out, "When have you ever heard a tekkie speak clearly?" (All complaints cheerfully forwarded.) As I said, a nice, down-to-earth performance, definitely essential as a contrast to the other, larger-than-life characters.
The foursome was rounded off with Kim Taylor as Greg. Yes, when the lead actor in Sara's current production breaks a knee, who should replace him but Sara's ex-lover and father of the child she once relinquished for adoption. After all we'd heard of him (during the sisters' conversations) we were ready to lynch him when he turned up at the end of Act One. It's testament to Kim's performance then, that he managed to wheedle his way back into our (and Sara's) sympathies.
As usual with KADS, the set was superb. A picture window, scenic balcony and fully functional (and utilized) spiral staircase set the scene wonderfully. I realize that the temptation to use Sinatra singing "The Wee Small Hours" must have been great, but I didn't like its distracting use all through Scene 1, competing with Sara on the phone. Costuming was good - especially Dowal in his perfect all black SM gear, but a bit of overkill to have two other characters in all black at the same time, I thought.
Overall a good, fun show, filled with laughs. Congratulations to director Terry Hackett for taking a chance on a new production and to Alice Dale for writing it for us. A little bit schmaltzy in places, but the characters rang true (if you can get past the concept of a professional actress based in Perth being able to afford a luxury townhouse, heh) and we all had a good laugh. Thanks again.
JB
WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2002
WHERE: KADS, Kalamunda, WA
Yes, it's an appropriate time to be writing this. "The Wee Small Hours" opens in the middle of the night as Perth actress Sara (Joy Northover) receives a phone call from Glasgow. Her sister, Nan (Sandra Sando) is coming to Perth for a visit. Visit she does, and they (and we) find out all about their romances, affairs, and regret-filled pasts.
As you might have guessed from that opening synopsis, "The Wee Small Hours" is a locally-written production. Playwright Alice Dale has crafted a warm, engaging full-length comedy and set it in an East Perth townhouse. If the concept of a new, WA-written and WA-based production isn't encouragement enough, the cast should provide added enticement.
Despite there being a twelve inch height difference, and a six hundred mile accent difference, Joy and Sandra make remarkably convincing sisters. Act One is almost completely devoted to their catching-up and sharing of secrets. Whilst always interesting, I did think the pace and the cues could have been picked up a little during some of the one-on-one dialogue. Nevertheless, the talent, charisma and chemistry of the two leads kept us attentive.
Dowal Hall presented a nicely subdued performance as the toy boy for Joy. Her younger lover (by 15 years) and also the SM on her current production (for Dean's benefit, that's Stage Manager not Sado-Masochist), I did want him to speak up once or twice, but as a colleague pointed out, "When have you ever heard a tekkie speak clearly?" (All complaints cheerfully forwarded.) As I said, a nice, down-to-earth performance, definitely essential as a contrast to the other, larger-than-life characters.
The foursome was rounded off with Kim Taylor as Greg. Yes, when the lead actor in Sara's current production breaks a knee, who should replace him but Sara's ex-lover and father of the child she once relinquished for adoption. After all we'd heard of him (during the sisters' conversations) we were ready to lynch him when he turned up at the end of Act One. It's testament to Kim's performance then, that he managed to wheedle his way back into our (and Sara's) sympathies.
As usual with KADS, the set was superb. A picture window, scenic balcony and fully functional (and utilized) spiral staircase set the scene wonderfully. I realize that the temptation to use Sinatra singing "The Wee Small Hours" must have been great, but I didn't like its distracting use all through Scene 1, competing with Sara on the phone. Costuming was good - especially Dowal in his perfect all black SM gear, but a bit of overkill to have two other characters in all black at the same time, I thought.
Overall a good, fun show, filled with laughs. Congratulations to director Terry Hackett for taking a chance on a new production and to Alice Dale for writing it for us. A little bit schmaltzy in places, but the characters rang true (if you can get past the concept of a professional actress based in Perth being able to afford a luxury townhouse, heh) and we all had a good laugh. Thanks again.
JB