One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Wed, 2 Apr 2003, 03:50 pmWalter Plinge8 posts in thread
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Wed, 2 Apr 2003, 03:50 pmCheck HER putting a review up before the show has officially opened!! One of the Perks of being a Blak Yak Family Member, is that one can turn up unannoucned and uninvited to the last dress rehearsal and NOT get kicked out on one's arse!!!!
I had to put something up about this, because it's bloody excellent y'all! BLOODY excellent! Jemma has assembled a terrific and diverse cast. I guess portraying a mental patient could well be considered "easy" and I was hoping we wouldn't be subjected to Foetally Positioned Rocking Nutters. We certainly are not!!! Each actor has taken great pains in really Finding their characters and they are all so different!
A couple you want to wrap up in your arms and protect from the world (Seany and Stevie, I'm lookin' at you here!). So sweet and innocent in fact, they made my necrotic womb Kick In. One is really scary, "Scanlon" (I'm so sorry, I'm still learning names.....) Jason, you are a frighteningly convincing Catatonic! David's portrayal of "Harding" was certainly one of the stand outs! Just gorgeous! Kurtis does Randall McMurphy justice, and I just LOVE the hair, or lack there of! And Eddie, as always, is fantastic. His "Cheif Bromden" will BREAK your heart. The "hospital staff" must also be mentioned. Great work! And NObody has overdone it! Thank heavens for that!
The women of the cast are a pack of babes! Emma, your nurse RatShit is hateful!!!! Perfect!! And the Party scene in Act 2 was jaw droppingly good. Men, you'll know WHY, when you go and see it. Because you must. Because it ROCKS!
Well done to director, cast and crew. You've got a wonderful show here! Blak Yak seasons are not marathon runs like KADS, so DON'T put this off, if you do you will miss out and you'll have no-one to blame but yo'selves!!
So there!
J x
I had to put something up about this, because it's bloody excellent y'all! BLOODY excellent! Jemma has assembled a terrific and diverse cast. I guess portraying a mental patient could well be considered "easy" and I was hoping we wouldn't be subjected to Foetally Positioned Rocking Nutters. We certainly are not!!! Each actor has taken great pains in really Finding their characters and they are all so different!
A couple you want to wrap up in your arms and protect from the world (Seany and Stevie, I'm lookin' at you here!). So sweet and innocent in fact, they made my necrotic womb Kick In. One is really scary, "Scanlon" (I'm so sorry, I'm still learning names.....) Jason, you are a frighteningly convincing Catatonic! David's portrayal of "Harding" was certainly one of the stand outs! Just gorgeous! Kurtis does Randall McMurphy justice, and I just LOVE the hair, or lack there of! And Eddie, as always, is fantastic. His "Cheif Bromden" will BREAK your heart. The "hospital staff" must also be mentioned. Great work! And NObody has overdone it! Thank heavens for that!
The women of the cast are a pack of babes! Emma, your nurse RatShit is hateful!!!! Perfect!! And the Party scene in Act 2 was jaw droppingly good. Men, you'll know WHY, when you go and see it. Because you must. Because it ROCKS!
Well done to director, cast and crew. You've got a wonderful show here! Blak Yak seasons are not marathon runs like KADS, so DON'T put this off, if you do you will miss out and you'll have no-one to blame but yo'selves!!
So there!
J x
Walter PlingeWed, 2 Apr 2003, 03:50 pm
Check HER putting a review up before the show has officially opened!! One of the Perks of being a Blak Yak Family Member, is that one can turn up unannoucned and uninvited to the last dress rehearsal and NOT get kicked out on one's arse!!!!
I had to put something up about this, because it's bloody excellent y'all! BLOODY excellent! Jemma has assembled a terrific and diverse cast. I guess portraying a mental patient could well be considered "easy" and I was hoping we wouldn't be subjected to Foetally Positioned Rocking Nutters. We certainly are not!!! Each actor has taken great pains in really Finding their characters and they are all so different!
A couple you want to wrap up in your arms and protect from the world (Seany and Stevie, I'm lookin' at you here!). So sweet and innocent in fact, they made my necrotic womb Kick In. One is really scary, "Scanlon" (I'm so sorry, I'm still learning names.....) Jason, you are a frighteningly convincing Catatonic! David's portrayal of "Harding" was certainly one of the stand outs! Just gorgeous! Kurtis does Randall McMurphy justice, and I just LOVE the hair, or lack there of! And Eddie, as always, is fantastic. His "Cheif Bromden" will BREAK your heart. The "hospital staff" must also be mentioned. Great work! And NObody has overdone it! Thank heavens for that!
The women of the cast are a pack of babes! Emma, your nurse RatShit is hateful!!!! Perfect!! And the Party scene in Act 2 was jaw droppingly good. Men, you'll know WHY, when you go and see it. Because you must. Because it ROCKS!
Well done to director, cast and crew. You've got a wonderful show here! Blak Yak seasons are not marathon runs like KADS, so DON'T put this off, if you do you will miss out and you'll have no-one to blame but yo'selves!!
So there!
J x
I had to put something up about this, because it's bloody excellent y'all! BLOODY excellent! Jemma has assembled a terrific and diverse cast. I guess portraying a mental patient could well be considered "easy" and I was hoping we wouldn't be subjected to Foetally Positioned Rocking Nutters. We certainly are not!!! Each actor has taken great pains in really Finding their characters and they are all so different!
A couple you want to wrap up in your arms and protect from the world (Seany and Stevie, I'm lookin' at you here!). So sweet and innocent in fact, they made my necrotic womb Kick In. One is really scary, "Scanlon" (I'm so sorry, I'm still learning names.....) Jason, you are a frighteningly convincing Catatonic! David's portrayal of "Harding" was certainly one of the stand outs! Just gorgeous! Kurtis does Randall McMurphy justice, and I just LOVE the hair, or lack there of! And Eddie, as always, is fantastic. His "Cheif Bromden" will BREAK your heart. The "hospital staff" must also be mentioned. Great work! And NObody has overdone it! Thank heavens for that!
The women of the cast are a pack of babes! Emma, your nurse RatShit is hateful!!!! Perfect!! And the Party scene in Act 2 was jaw droppingly good. Men, you'll know WHY, when you go and see it. Because you must. Because it ROCKS!
Well done to director, cast and crew. You've got a wonderful show here! Blak Yak seasons are not marathon runs like KADS, so DON'T put this off, if you do you will miss out and you'll have no-one to blame but yo'selves!!
So there!
J x
Walter PlingeSun, 6 Apr 2003, 03:27 pm
Re: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
In my opinion, it is an excellent and powerful play. What really impressed me was how well each of the actors played their part and how well they performed together. It has been an amazing teamwork. Well done and keep up a good work.
Recommend anyone to see it, it goes until 12 April.
The Studio
The Subiaco Theatre Centre
Hamersley Rd
Subiaco
8.15pm
Tickets through BOCS 9484 1133
Recommend anyone to see it, it goes until 12 April.
The Studio
The Subiaco Theatre Centre
Hamersley Rd
Subiaco
8.15pm
Tickets through BOCS 9484 1133
crgwllmsMon, 7 Apr 2003, 12:42 am
Re: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Black Yak, Subiaco Studio
(Bugger...I wrote down some good thoughts when I got home from seeing this last night, and then my computer hiccoughed and I lost it all before posting...second attempt here..)
Sixteen cast members 'flying over' the Subi Studio stage - the direction and design did well to manage such a large cast, utilising all the available areas of the venue.
I really enjoyed the characterisations, and the focussed and committed (!) way the cast realistically physicalised the occupants of the mental institution. For many it was a delicate balance of remaining in character while refraining from stealing focus, and the consistence and concentration (and for some, physical strain) was impressive. I thought all of the inmates were well observed and delicately portrayed.
The American accents were generally pretty good too (wide and varied between cast members, but this wasn't inconsistent). Perhaps some accents were almost too accurate - at the expense of a bit of clarity, particularly at the very start when our ears haven't adjusted to a southern slur yet.
So many performers on stage made some of the blackouts between scenes rather long though, and as there were quite a lot of these, perhaps some other scene transitions could have been explored?
And there were a couple of moments of dialogue where some charactersÂ’ thought processes seemed a bit rushed, but in general the play flowed along nicely.
Eddie Stowers was a gift to this cast as the native Chief Bromden, a massive and gentle man with a deep rumbling voice that came across well in the brooding voiceovers, and then showed his power in the second half.
Despite his youthfulness, Kurtis Crisafulli captured well the larrikin brawler McMurphy, and had a good grasp of the character's energy and sense of mischief. I would've liked to see even more 'craziness' behind him, though, especially in his first introduction to the ward, so that we're never quite sure if he really IS crazy or if it's all a con. He seemed a little too smooth and competent, a little more instability would've raised the stakes. But in a role that so unavoidably draws comparison to Jack Nicholson's famous film portrayal, I thought Kurtis did a great job of making the character his own.
Emma Herriman captured the clinical and stoical Nurse Ratched with a controlled consistence. A role that doesn't allow any outward show of emotion, it all had to be conveyed with timing and inflection to show her struggle to maintain her faltering grip on the ward. Subtle stares and an unwavering attitude of superiority fully established her as the manipulative but tragically declining power of the ward.
My only disappointment was the scene where McMurphy attacks her. I understand why the graphic detail of the book was replaced by a scream in a blackout (...can you actually continue a long scream while you're being strangled?) but such a strong character seemed too submissive while goading "Come On, McMurphy", rather than defiantly daring him and refusing to back down even while being attacked. She also appeared in the next scene virtually unaffected, whereas my memory of the book was a broken, bandaged Nurse who had to scribble on notepaper to talk and so had finally lost all authority.
I really liked the party sequence (what WAS that scary stuff they were they drinking?!) with Olivia and Sally's characters; and those other group scenes that gave the minor characters a chance to take the fore; some great little comic moments like the basketball game.
How many volts are used in Electroshock therapy? I might be incorrect, but it didn't seem right that the aides should hold the body while the current is being applied? The acting in the scene was convincing, just the situation seemed wrong.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the production, and itÂ’s inspired me to reread the book over this weekend. Still this week to catch it.
Cheers,
Craig
PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and “ Black Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try as I might, I found 20 minutes wasn’t long enough to find someone to practise with….
[%sig%]
Black Yak, Subiaco Studio
(Bugger...I wrote down some good thoughts when I got home from seeing this last night, and then my computer hiccoughed and I lost it all before posting...second attempt here..)
Sixteen cast members 'flying over' the Subi Studio stage - the direction and design did well to manage such a large cast, utilising all the available areas of the venue.
I really enjoyed the characterisations, and the focussed and committed (!) way the cast realistically physicalised the occupants of the mental institution. For many it was a delicate balance of remaining in character while refraining from stealing focus, and the consistence and concentration (and for some, physical strain) was impressive. I thought all of the inmates were well observed and delicately portrayed.
The American accents were generally pretty good too (wide and varied between cast members, but this wasn't inconsistent). Perhaps some accents were almost too accurate - at the expense of a bit of clarity, particularly at the very start when our ears haven't adjusted to a southern slur yet.
So many performers on stage made some of the blackouts between scenes rather long though, and as there were quite a lot of these, perhaps some other scene transitions could have been explored?
And there were a couple of moments of dialogue where some charactersÂ’ thought processes seemed a bit rushed, but in general the play flowed along nicely.
Eddie Stowers was a gift to this cast as the native Chief Bromden, a massive and gentle man with a deep rumbling voice that came across well in the brooding voiceovers, and then showed his power in the second half.
Despite his youthfulness, Kurtis Crisafulli captured well the larrikin brawler McMurphy, and had a good grasp of the character's energy and sense of mischief. I would've liked to see even more 'craziness' behind him, though, especially in his first introduction to the ward, so that we're never quite sure if he really IS crazy or if it's all a con. He seemed a little too smooth and competent, a little more instability would've raised the stakes. But in a role that so unavoidably draws comparison to Jack Nicholson's famous film portrayal, I thought Kurtis did a great job of making the character his own.
Emma Herriman captured the clinical and stoical Nurse Ratched with a controlled consistence. A role that doesn't allow any outward show of emotion, it all had to be conveyed with timing and inflection to show her struggle to maintain her faltering grip on the ward. Subtle stares and an unwavering attitude of superiority fully established her as the manipulative but tragically declining power of the ward.
My only disappointment was the scene where McMurphy attacks her. I understand why the graphic detail of the book was replaced by a scream in a blackout (...can you actually continue a long scream while you're being strangled?) but such a strong character seemed too submissive while goading "Come On, McMurphy", rather than defiantly daring him and refusing to back down even while being attacked. She also appeared in the next scene virtually unaffected, whereas my memory of the book was a broken, bandaged Nurse who had to scribble on notepaper to talk and so had finally lost all authority.
I really liked the party sequence (what WAS that scary stuff they were they drinking?!) with Olivia and Sally's characters; and those other group scenes that gave the minor characters a chance to take the fore; some great little comic moments like the basketball game.
How many volts are used in Electroshock therapy? I might be incorrect, but it didn't seem right that the aides should hold the body while the current is being applied? The acting in the scene was convincing, just the situation seemed wrong.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the production, and itÂ’s inspired me to reread the book over this weekend. Still this week to catch it.
Cheers,
Craig
PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and “ Black Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try as I might, I found 20 minutes wasn’t long enough to find someone to practise with….
[%sig%]
crgwllmsMon, 7 Apr 2003, 12:45 am
Re: A "committed" performance
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Black Yak, Subiaco Studio
(Bugger...I wrote down some good thoughts when I got home from seeing this last night, and then my computer hiccoughed and I lost it all before posting...second attempt here..)
Sixteen cast members 'flying over' the Subi Studio stage - the direction and design did well to manage such a large cast, utilising all the available areas of the venue.
I really enjoyed the characterisations, and the focussed and committed (!) way the cast realistically physicalised the occupants of the mental institution. For many it was a delicate balance of remaining in character while refraining from stealing focus, and the consistence and concentration (and for some, physical strain) was impressive. I thought all of the inmates were well observed and delicately portrayed.
The American accents were generally pretty good too (wide and varied between cast members, but this wasn't inconsistent). Perhaps some accents were almost too accurate - at the expense of a bit of clarity, particularly at the very start when our ears haven't adjusted to a southern slur yet.
So many performers on stage made some of the blackouts between scenes rather long though, and as there were quite a lot of these, perhaps some other scene transitions could have been explored?
And there were a couple of moments of dialogue where some charactersÂ’ thought processes seemed a bit rushed, but in general the play flowed along nicely.
Eddie Stowers was a gift to this cast as the native Chief Bromden, a massive and gentle man with a deep rumbling voice that came across well in the brooding voiceovers, and then showed his power in the second half.
Despite his youthfulness, Kurtis Crisafulli captured well the larrikin brawler McMurphy, and had a good grasp of the character's energy and sense of mischief. I would've liked to see even more 'craziness' behind him, though, especially in his first introduction to the ward, so that we're never quite sure if he really IS crazy or if it's all a con. He seemed a little too smooth and competent, a little more instability would've raised the stakes. But in a role that so unavoidably draws comparison to Jack Nicholson's famous film portrayal, I thought Kurtis did a great job of making the character his own.
Emma Herriman captured the clinical and stoical Nurse Ratched with a controlled consistence. A role that doesn't allow any outward show of emotion, it all had to be conveyed with timing and inflection to show her struggle to maintain her faltering grip on the ward. Subtle stares and an unwavering attitude of superiority fully established her as the manipulative but tragically declining power of the ward.
My only disappointment was the scene where McMurphy attacks her. I understand why the graphic detail of the book was replaced by a scream in a blackout (...can you actually continue a long scream while you're being strangled?) but such a strong character seemed too submissive while goading "Come On, McMurphy", rather than defiantly daring him and refusing to back down even while being attacked. She also appeared in the next scene virtually unaffected, whereas my memory of the book was a broken, bandaged Nurse who had to scribble on notepaper to talk and so had finally lost all authority.
I really liked the party sequence (what WAS that scary stuff they were they drinking?!) with Olivia and Sally's characters; and those other group scenes that gave the minor characters a chance to take the fore; some great little comic moments like the basketball game.
How many volts are used in Electroshock therapy? I might be incorrect, but it didn't seem right that the aides should hold the body while the current is being applied? The acting in the scene was convincing, just the situation seemed wrong.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the production, and itÂ’s inspired me to reread the book over this weekend. Still this week to catch it.
Cheers,
Craig
PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and “ Black Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try as I might, I found 20 minutes wasn’t long enough to find someone to practise with….
[%sig%]
Black Yak, Subiaco Studio
(Bugger...I wrote down some good thoughts when I got home from seeing this last night, and then my computer hiccoughed and I lost it all before posting...second attempt here..)
Sixteen cast members 'flying over' the Subi Studio stage - the direction and design did well to manage such a large cast, utilising all the available areas of the venue.
I really enjoyed the characterisations, and the focussed and committed (!) way the cast realistically physicalised the occupants of the mental institution. For many it was a delicate balance of remaining in character while refraining from stealing focus, and the consistence and concentration (and for some, physical strain) was impressive. I thought all of the inmates were well observed and delicately portrayed.
The American accents were generally pretty good too (wide and varied between cast members, but this wasn't inconsistent). Perhaps some accents were almost too accurate - at the expense of a bit of clarity, particularly at the very start when our ears haven't adjusted to a southern slur yet.
So many performers on stage made some of the blackouts between scenes rather long though, and as there were quite a lot of these, perhaps some other scene transitions could have been explored?
And there were a couple of moments of dialogue where some charactersÂ’ thought processes seemed a bit rushed, but in general the play flowed along nicely.
Eddie Stowers was a gift to this cast as the native Chief Bromden, a massive and gentle man with a deep rumbling voice that came across well in the brooding voiceovers, and then showed his power in the second half.
Despite his youthfulness, Kurtis Crisafulli captured well the larrikin brawler McMurphy, and had a good grasp of the character's energy and sense of mischief. I would've liked to see even more 'craziness' behind him, though, especially in his first introduction to the ward, so that we're never quite sure if he really IS crazy or if it's all a con. He seemed a little too smooth and competent, a little more instability would've raised the stakes. But in a role that so unavoidably draws comparison to Jack Nicholson's famous film portrayal, I thought Kurtis did a great job of making the character his own.
Emma Herriman captured the clinical and stoical Nurse Ratched with a controlled consistence. A role that doesn't allow any outward show of emotion, it all had to be conveyed with timing and inflection to show her struggle to maintain her faltering grip on the ward. Subtle stares and an unwavering attitude of superiority fully established her as the manipulative but tragically declining power of the ward.
My only disappointment was the scene where McMurphy attacks her. I understand why the graphic detail of the book was replaced by a scream in a blackout (...can you actually continue a long scream while you're being strangled?) but such a strong character seemed too submissive while goading "Come On, McMurphy", rather than defiantly daring him and refusing to back down even while being attacked. She also appeared in the next scene virtually unaffected, whereas my memory of the book was a broken, bandaged Nurse who had to scribble on notepaper to talk and so had finally lost all authority.
I really liked the party sequence (what WAS that scary stuff they were they drinking?!) with Olivia and Sally's characters; and those other group scenes that gave the minor characters a chance to take the fore; some great little comic moments like the basketball game.
How many volts are used in Electroshock therapy? I might be incorrect, but it didn't seem right that the aides should hold the body while the current is being applied? The acting in the scene was convincing, just the situation seemed wrong.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the production, and itÂ’s inspired me to reread the book over this weekend. Still this week to catch it.
Cheers,
Craig
PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and “ Black Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try as I might, I found 20 minutes wasn’t long enough to find someone to practise with….
[%sig%]
crgwllmsMon, 7 Apr 2003, 07:27 am
Re: ...crazy
?? Not sure why this got posted twice. Having trouble logging on with my site password, for some reason. Apologies.
crg
[%sig%]
crg
[%sig%]
Walter PlingeTue, 8 Apr 2003, 12:29 am
Re: A
crgwllms wrote:
>
> PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the
> programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and
> “ Blak Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try
> as I might, I found 20 minutes wasnÂ’t long enough to find
> someone to practise withÂ….
>
But Craig, it was a sell-out crowd. A full house and you STILL couldn't find anyone??? Doesn't sound like a very committed performance to me...
Thank you for the kind words and much-appreciated constructive comments.
JB
>
> PS An interesting juxtaposition of two statements in the
> programme…”There will be one intermission of 20 minutes.” and
> “ Blak Yak Theatre recommends you practice safe sex.” Try
> as I might, I found 20 minutes wasnÂ’t long enough to find
> someone to practise withÂ….
>
But Craig, it was a sell-out crowd. A full house and you STILL couldn't find anyone??? Doesn't sound like a very committed performance to me...
Thank you for the kind words and much-appreciated constructive comments.
JB
crgwllmsTue, 8 Apr 2003, 12:45 am
Re: commitment
Jarrod Buttery wrote:
>
> But Craig, it was a sell-out crowd. A full house and you
> STILL couldn't find anyone??? Doesn't sound like a very
> committed performance to me...
>
Well...5 minutes to get served; 5 minutes to puruse the crowded foyer bar; 5 minutes to charm and seduce her...but then I still had to finish my drink....
[%sig%]
>
> But Craig, it was a sell-out crowd. A full house and you
> STILL couldn't find anyone??? Doesn't sound like a very
> committed performance to me...
>
Well...5 minutes to get served; 5 minutes to puruse the crowded foyer bar; 5 minutes to charm and seduce her...but then I still had to finish my drink....
[%sig%]
Lisa SkrypFri, 11 Apr 2003, 10:14 am
Re: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
I can only steal a couple of minutes to say, FANTASTIC!
Saw Cuckoo's Nest last night, Thursday, & must say that Blak Yak has put on a remarkable show, with very committed (best word even if a pathetic pun) performances from all the cast.
Most of my group go to and/or do lots of theatre, & everyone really enjoyed the show. I think the best praise though comes from a couple of my friends who are more from, shall we say, the "regular" world. They both commented on the degree of research & character work that went into the portrayal of every role, & particularly that everyone on stage was always completely in character, without ever stealing focus. Question: how on earth can anyone stand in the Jesus position for 20 minutes at a time?!?
The actors playing Nurse Ratchett & McMurphy gave very solid, strong performances (loved watching as each clung to their diminishing control), but the entire cast made for a great production.
Rumour has it tickets for the remaining performances are going fast, so do hurry & get yours!
Saw Cuckoo's Nest last night, Thursday, & must say that Blak Yak has put on a remarkable show, with very committed (best word even if a pathetic pun) performances from all the cast.
Most of my group go to and/or do lots of theatre, & everyone really enjoyed the show. I think the best praise though comes from a couple of my friends who are more from, shall we say, the "regular" world. They both commented on the degree of research & character work that went into the portrayal of every role, & particularly that everyone on stage was always completely in character, without ever stealing focus. Question: how on earth can anyone stand in the Jesus position for 20 minutes at a time?!?
The actors playing Nurse Ratchett & McMurphy gave very solid, strong performances (loved watching as each clung to their diminishing control), but the entire cast made for a great production.
Rumour has it tickets for the remaining performances are going fast, so do hurry & get yours!