Across Hellfire - Blue Room
Tue, 25 Mar 2003, 11:07 pmWalter Plinge7 posts in thread
Across Hellfire - Blue Room
Tue, 25 Mar 2003, 11:07 pmLuke Milton has already established himself as one of W.A.’s brightest young comedy writers with several successes under his belt, with the hilarious ‘Risky Lunar Love’ being his best known. When I heard that he had the first two parts of his latest six part darkly comic misadventures series showing at the Blue Room, one could only wonder would they too meet the high standards of the previous shows? There was no need to worry; the clearly defined and very varied characters had excellent dialogue, each being individual to the particular personae.
When the script calls for ‘a poor flat’ as the set, how often have we seen a single globe, a couple of its of tatty furniture and a set of empty walls? This set had thought put into it and as always, was full of trinkets and objet d’art straight from any garage sale - making the broken down slum flat recognisable by anyone who has been a student. Anna Head’s stage management and her control of Nick Higgins’s inspired lighting design was on the ball.
‘Across Hellfire’ stars well-known local actors Renee Newman-Storen as Amelia, a loopy Internet freak. Paul Goddard as Devlin, her boyfriend, who has some weird ideas about the state of the world, which in today’s scenario seems almost sain. Damon Lockwood, as Wheeler, the totally unpredictable neighbour and Tye Harper the weak flatmate who no one else really likes compliment the team. Tye, who has been seen in such serious productions as ‘Tissue’, ‘The Clink’ and ‘Twelfth Night’, showed that he could carry off comedy equally as well. Good to see Suzie Moore again as the old flame who was unexpectedly in-tune with one of the flat mates.
Devlin decides that as he is fed up with the world and the only answer is to cut himself off from society. Problems arise like; do the others want to be cut off too? What can they do for a change of food? Will sex ever exist in the flat? Lots of twists and turns with the script keeping up the audience interest throughout.
The characterisation by the writer and the actors was hilarious. Great fun. Thoroughly recommended.
‘Content may offend’ usually accompanies Luke’s work, but it rarely does. He manages to take the most bizarre blue comedy to the edge and back without offending too much.
Kerry O’Sullivan who produces Luke’s shows, has once again excelled herself, every show is a full-scale spectacle. One can only hope that Luke and Kerry get the funding to take their shows – which are very well respected by many in the profession - to larger theatres around the WA circuit. I am looking forward to parts 3+4 and 5+6 of the series over the next couple of weeks.
Isn't the Blue Room looking great - and the loos!!!
When the script calls for ‘a poor flat’ as the set, how often have we seen a single globe, a couple of its of tatty furniture and a set of empty walls? This set had thought put into it and as always, was full of trinkets and objet d’art straight from any garage sale - making the broken down slum flat recognisable by anyone who has been a student. Anna Head’s stage management and her control of Nick Higgins’s inspired lighting design was on the ball.
‘Across Hellfire’ stars well-known local actors Renee Newman-Storen as Amelia, a loopy Internet freak. Paul Goddard as Devlin, her boyfriend, who has some weird ideas about the state of the world, which in today’s scenario seems almost sain. Damon Lockwood, as Wheeler, the totally unpredictable neighbour and Tye Harper the weak flatmate who no one else really likes compliment the team. Tye, who has been seen in such serious productions as ‘Tissue’, ‘The Clink’ and ‘Twelfth Night’, showed that he could carry off comedy equally as well. Good to see Suzie Moore again as the old flame who was unexpectedly in-tune with one of the flat mates.
Devlin decides that as he is fed up with the world and the only answer is to cut himself off from society. Problems arise like; do the others want to be cut off too? What can they do for a change of food? Will sex ever exist in the flat? Lots of twists and turns with the script keeping up the audience interest throughout.
The characterisation by the writer and the actors was hilarious. Great fun. Thoroughly recommended.
‘Content may offend’ usually accompanies Luke’s work, but it rarely does. He manages to take the most bizarre blue comedy to the edge and back without offending too much.
Kerry O’Sullivan who produces Luke’s shows, has once again excelled herself, every show is a full-scale spectacle. One can only hope that Luke and Kerry get the funding to take their shows – which are very well respected by many in the profession - to larger theatres around the WA circuit. I am looking forward to parts 3+4 and 5+6 of the series over the next couple of weeks.
Isn't the Blue Room looking great - and the loos!!!
Walter PlingeTue, 25 Mar 2003, 11:07 pm
Luke Milton has already established himself as one of W.A.’s brightest young comedy writers with several successes under his belt, with the hilarious ‘Risky Lunar Love’ being his best known. When I heard that he had the first two parts of his latest six part darkly comic misadventures series showing at the Blue Room, one could only wonder would they too meet the high standards of the previous shows? There was no need to worry; the clearly defined and very varied characters had excellent dialogue, each being individual to the particular personae.
When the script calls for ‘a poor flat’ as the set, how often have we seen a single globe, a couple of its of tatty furniture and a set of empty walls? This set had thought put into it and as always, was full of trinkets and objet d’art straight from any garage sale - making the broken down slum flat recognisable by anyone who has been a student. Anna Head’s stage management and her control of Nick Higgins’s inspired lighting design was on the ball.
‘Across Hellfire’ stars well-known local actors Renee Newman-Storen as Amelia, a loopy Internet freak. Paul Goddard as Devlin, her boyfriend, who has some weird ideas about the state of the world, which in today’s scenario seems almost sain. Damon Lockwood, as Wheeler, the totally unpredictable neighbour and Tye Harper the weak flatmate who no one else really likes compliment the team. Tye, who has been seen in such serious productions as ‘Tissue’, ‘The Clink’ and ‘Twelfth Night’, showed that he could carry off comedy equally as well. Good to see Suzie Moore again as the old flame who was unexpectedly in-tune with one of the flat mates.
Devlin decides that as he is fed up with the world and the only answer is to cut himself off from society. Problems arise like; do the others want to be cut off too? What can they do for a change of food? Will sex ever exist in the flat? Lots of twists and turns with the script keeping up the audience interest throughout.
The characterisation by the writer and the actors was hilarious. Great fun. Thoroughly recommended.
‘Content may offend’ usually accompanies Luke’s work, but it rarely does. He manages to take the most bizarre blue comedy to the edge and back without offending too much.
Kerry O’Sullivan who produces Luke’s shows, has once again excelled herself, every show is a full-scale spectacle. One can only hope that Luke and Kerry get the funding to take their shows – which are very well respected by many in the profession - to larger theatres around the WA circuit. I am looking forward to parts 3+4 and 5+6 of the series over the next couple of weeks.
Isn't the Blue Room looking great - and the loos!!!
When the script calls for ‘a poor flat’ as the set, how often have we seen a single globe, a couple of its of tatty furniture and a set of empty walls? This set had thought put into it and as always, was full of trinkets and objet d’art straight from any garage sale - making the broken down slum flat recognisable by anyone who has been a student. Anna Head’s stage management and her control of Nick Higgins’s inspired lighting design was on the ball.
‘Across Hellfire’ stars well-known local actors Renee Newman-Storen as Amelia, a loopy Internet freak. Paul Goddard as Devlin, her boyfriend, who has some weird ideas about the state of the world, which in today’s scenario seems almost sain. Damon Lockwood, as Wheeler, the totally unpredictable neighbour and Tye Harper the weak flatmate who no one else really likes compliment the team. Tye, who has been seen in such serious productions as ‘Tissue’, ‘The Clink’ and ‘Twelfth Night’, showed that he could carry off comedy equally as well. Good to see Suzie Moore again as the old flame who was unexpectedly in-tune with one of the flat mates.
Devlin decides that as he is fed up with the world and the only answer is to cut himself off from society. Problems arise like; do the others want to be cut off too? What can they do for a change of food? Will sex ever exist in the flat? Lots of twists and turns with the script keeping up the audience interest throughout.
The characterisation by the writer and the actors was hilarious. Great fun. Thoroughly recommended.
‘Content may offend’ usually accompanies Luke’s work, but it rarely does. He manages to take the most bizarre blue comedy to the edge and back without offending too much.
Kerry O’Sullivan who produces Luke’s shows, has once again excelled herself, every show is a full-scale spectacle. One can only hope that Luke and Kerry get the funding to take their shows – which are very well respected by many in the profession - to larger theatres around the WA circuit. I am looking forward to parts 3+4 and 5+6 of the series over the next couple of weeks.
Isn't the Blue Room looking great - and the loos!!!
crgwllmsSun, 30 Mar 2003, 01:24 am
Re: Across Hellfire episodes 1 & 2
Yes, thoroughly agree with Gordon the Optom's review; I'm also pretty impressed with Luke Milton's work.
We lament the fact that in Australia we seem incapable of creating good sit-coms, but the episodes of this series exploit the classic sit-com setup yet do it better. Almost a shame that it won't be seen on TV, to show them just what's possible.
If you were there you'd know what I mean, but it seems hard to explain how the characters were kind of one dimensional and yet multi-faceted at the same time...?! Kind of the same way the four characters in Fawlty Towers are rather one dimensional - but that doesn't stop them being strong, clear, interesting characters; in fact their extreme and narrow nature, put in combination in a small environment, is what makes it work so well.
Not that Across Hellfire is in any way derivative of Fawlty Towers, but the ludicrous situations and the hystrionic reactions seem to work in the same way...these characters are like cartoons, but they're also very real. We laugh because it's really well observed; it's ludicrous but it's somehow true.
I watched it thinking, 'gee I wish I was in this' (..when's your next one, Luke...?), but I also don't think it could've been cast better than Paul, Renee, Damon and Tye. (and special guest Suzie).
It was fantastic to watch these guys taking everything to the extreme, pushing vocal, facial and physical boundaries, but always with solid control. At least as much humour came from their character reactions as from the scripted dialogue, and the performances were all tight, well-timed, and masterfully portrayed...and did I say hilarious?
Looking forward to the next installments...I've got my season pass!
Cheers,
Craig
[%sig%]
We lament the fact that in Australia we seem incapable of creating good sit-coms, but the episodes of this series exploit the classic sit-com setup yet do it better. Almost a shame that it won't be seen on TV, to show them just what's possible.
If you were there you'd know what I mean, but it seems hard to explain how the characters were kind of one dimensional and yet multi-faceted at the same time...?! Kind of the same way the four characters in Fawlty Towers are rather one dimensional - but that doesn't stop them being strong, clear, interesting characters; in fact their extreme and narrow nature, put in combination in a small environment, is what makes it work so well.
Not that Across Hellfire is in any way derivative of Fawlty Towers, but the ludicrous situations and the hystrionic reactions seem to work in the same way...these characters are like cartoons, but they're also very real. We laugh because it's really well observed; it's ludicrous but it's somehow true.
I watched it thinking, 'gee I wish I was in this' (..when's your next one, Luke...?), but I also don't think it could've been cast better than Paul, Renee, Damon and Tye. (and special guest Suzie).
It was fantastic to watch these guys taking everything to the extreme, pushing vocal, facial and physical boundaries, but always with solid control. At least as much humour came from their character reactions as from the scripted dialogue, and the performances were all tight, well-timed, and masterfully portrayed...and did I say hilarious?
Looking forward to the next installments...I've got my season pass!
Cheers,
Craig
[%sig%]
Gordon the OptomWed, 2 Apr 2003, 07:54 pm
Re: Across Hellfire - parts 3+4
If you thought parts 1 and 2 were as mad as you could get from Luke Milton, then go and see parts 3 and 4. Luke's ability to change from one situation or topic to another and still keep the laughs coming is real talent (as Craig said last week he should be grabbed by one of the TV companies).
This week Claire Munday and Ingle Knight brilliantly played Amelia's parents, who have arrived to rescue her from this slum. Their script had everyone splitting their sides and clapping spontaneously. One cringed at the intentional cliches that this mother - and my mother and everyone's mother or Nana comes out with. Devlin sorted the situation out in his own way
The parents brought with them Amanda Chestrton as the news reporter trying to create a story.
Anwar, the euphoric flat mate, was systematically demolished by Wheeler the multimurderer. The room temperture rose in the flat with hilarious consequences and then a confession time showed the real characters of these flat mates.
I cannot recommend this show highly enough.
This week Claire Munday and Ingle Knight brilliantly played Amelia's parents, who have arrived to rescue her from this slum. Their script had everyone splitting their sides and clapping spontaneously. One cringed at the intentional cliches that this mother - and my mother and everyone's mother or Nana comes out with. Devlin sorted the situation out in his own way
The parents brought with them Amanda Chestrton as the news reporter trying to create a story.
Anwar, the euphoric flat mate, was systematically demolished by Wheeler the multimurderer. The room temperture rose in the flat with hilarious consequences and then a confession time showed the real characters of these flat mates.
I cannot recommend this show highly enough.
crgwllmsTue, 8 Apr 2003, 11:59 pm
Re: Across Hellfire - final ep's 5 & 6
Bravo.
Don't have time to spout like I usually do ('hurray' I hear the masses cheer) because I'm getting on a plane to Carnarvon in about 6 hours..
But also I wouldn't do the show justice to tell too much about it, apart from - be prepared to be surprised.
Fifth episode largely stars Mark Storen and Claire Hooper (how do these extra people keep getting in, I wanna know?) with some more of the fantastically bizarre characters we've come to expect. I found Mark hilarious...Claire's character was fascinating in that she never became over-the-top, as I was expecting. It was strangely bizarre to have a realistic character amongst all the lunatics. And yet the character choice was quite abnormal in that setting....Luke, you're playing with my mind!
Similarly, in the 6th episode, I can't let on too much. I was wondering how the series was going to achieve closure. It began with quite an amazing moment in the middle of the hilarity and grotesqueness when suddenly the audience was held in a silent and poignant contemplation...the issues are pretty big here, and the actors held our attention wonderfully. Suddenly all the madness seemed to be put in some perspective, and although it's still not for the squeamish, it was delicately handled. Quite intriguing and most unexpected. And still funny.
And I was certainly not expecting the final cameo, beautifully played by Geoff Kelso. The whole scene was an overload of wit, cynicism, poignancy, flippancy, aptness, depth, shallowness, comedy, tragedy....
This has been an intriguingly clever series and certainly exceptional value for money. Bloody marvellous to see work like this being consistently created in Perth.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Craig
[%sig%]
Don't have time to spout like I usually do ('hurray' I hear the masses cheer) because I'm getting on a plane to Carnarvon in about 6 hours..
But also I wouldn't do the show justice to tell too much about it, apart from - be prepared to be surprised.
Fifth episode largely stars Mark Storen and Claire Hooper (how do these extra people keep getting in, I wanna know?) with some more of the fantastically bizarre characters we've come to expect. I found Mark hilarious...Claire's character was fascinating in that she never became over-the-top, as I was expecting. It was strangely bizarre to have a realistic character amongst all the lunatics. And yet the character choice was quite abnormal in that setting....Luke, you're playing with my mind!
Similarly, in the 6th episode, I can't let on too much. I was wondering how the series was going to achieve closure. It began with quite an amazing moment in the middle of the hilarity and grotesqueness when suddenly the audience was held in a silent and poignant contemplation...the issues are pretty big here, and the actors held our attention wonderfully. Suddenly all the madness seemed to be put in some perspective, and although it's still not for the squeamish, it was delicately handled. Quite intriguing and most unexpected. And still funny.
And I was certainly not expecting the final cameo, beautifully played by Geoff Kelso. The whole scene was an overload of wit, cynicism, poignancy, flippancy, aptness, depth, shallowness, comedy, tragedy....
This has been an intriguingly clever series and certainly exceptional value for money. Bloody marvellous to see work like this being consistently created in Perth.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Craig
[%sig%]
LibbyFri, 11 Apr 2003, 10:39 am
Re: Across Hellfire - final ep's 5 & 6
Congratulations to cast and crew for the "Across Hellfire" series.
I loved it- it's easily my theatre highlight for the year.
Go and see it- if for nothing other than some fantastic guest appearances this week by Claire Hooper, Mark Storen and Geoff Kelso!
I advise you to make bookings as each night is selling fast.
L
I loved it- it's easily my theatre highlight for the year.
Go and see it- if for nothing other than some fantastic guest appearances this week by Claire Hooper, Mark Storen and Geoff Kelso!
I advise you to make bookings as each night is selling fast.
L
Walter PlingeMon, 2 June 2003, 01:55 am
Re: Across Hellfire - Blue Room
It rocked my socks... along with the rest of me.
Walter PlingeTue, 3 June 2003, 09:38 am
Re: Across Hellfire - Blue Room
Grant-
That has got to win some sort of award for most delayed review ever!
Glad to see others WERE thinking about it even if they didn't post their thoughts here.
That has got to win some sort of award for most delayed review ever!
Glad to see others WERE thinking about it even if they didn't post their thoughts here.