Cenci *****
Sat, 30 Aug 2003, 12:31 pmGordon the Optom7 posts in thread
Cenci *****
Sat, 30 Aug 2003, 12:31 pmCenci – pronounced Chenchi – is a Curtin Hayman Theatre production showing at the Rechabites Hall. Shelley’s play has been reduced by 85% to give a cross between ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Show’. A blend of loud Marilyn Manson expletives, excitement and Shakespearean tragedy.
On arriving in the auditorium one is greeted by warm-up artist Reg, brilliantly portrayed by Matthew Hardie. Reg is an oversexed slime-bag, guaranteed to turn your stomach. The play proper, starts with a hilarious Pope ‘Elvis’ (Dylan Sercombe) giving out absolutions to game show winners. Two actors, Gabby Pitt and Jackie Brown, epitomised the type of hyper excitable contestants that go in to these competitions. The ‘glamorous’ show hostesses capture the moment so well, moving and singing beautifully and being ‘suitably repulsive’ – and this a strong compliment. They depicted everything that makes one cringe at TV shows.
One of the game show contestants, Cenci (Paul Goddard – ‘The Brick and the Rose’) does not get the result that he would have liked. He then goes on to tell his wife (Teresa Jakovich) that their sons are dead. The mother and daughter (Andrea Demetriades – last seen in ‘Six actors searching for an author’) decide to hire a couple of killers and get rid of the abusing husband.
Goddard as the cruel father was outstanding. His powerful clear diction and thorough understanding of the script, tended to make a couple of the other male actors seem a little inadequate. His downtrodden wife, Lucretia, and daughter, Beatrice, were both superb in their tragic roles; oneÂ’s heart really went out to them.
Newcomer Simonne Hurse, as the tarty murderer, showed great skills with her voice and body language in portraying her brash character.
The lighting (Cameron Menzies) was clever and used to the full, from dark scenes with follow-spots to bright variety show settings. The costumes were witty, appropriate, repulsive and delightful. Richard John and Brent HillÂ’s music fitted perfectly.
Director Alice Bishop has obviously put a lot of lateral thinking into this worthwhile show. Great to see something of such vibrant quality, which is away from the boring repetition.
On arriving in the auditorium one is greeted by warm-up artist Reg, brilliantly portrayed by Matthew Hardie. Reg is an oversexed slime-bag, guaranteed to turn your stomach. The play proper, starts with a hilarious Pope ‘Elvis’ (Dylan Sercombe) giving out absolutions to game show winners. Two actors, Gabby Pitt and Jackie Brown, epitomised the type of hyper excitable contestants that go in to these competitions. The ‘glamorous’ show hostesses capture the moment so well, moving and singing beautifully and being ‘suitably repulsive’ – and this a strong compliment. They depicted everything that makes one cringe at TV shows.
One of the game show contestants, Cenci (Paul Goddard – ‘The Brick and the Rose’) does not get the result that he would have liked. He then goes on to tell his wife (Teresa Jakovich) that their sons are dead. The mother and daughter (Andrea Demetriades – last seen in ‘Six actors searching for an author’) decide to hire a couple of killers and get rid of the abusing husband.
Goddard as the cruel father was outstanding. His powerful clear diction and thorough understanding of the script, tended to make a couple of the other male actors seem a little inadequate. His downtrodden wife, Lucretia, and daughter, Beatrice, were both superb in their tragic roles; oneÂ’s heart really went out to them.
Newcomer Simonne Hurse, as the tarty murderer, showed great skills with her voice and body language in portraying her brash character.
The lighting (Cameron Menzies) was clever and used to the full, from dark scenes with follow-spots to bright variety show settings. The costumes were witty, appropriate, repulsive and delightful. Richard John and Brent HillÂ’s music fitted perfectly.
Director Alice Bishop has obviously put a lot of lateral thinking into this worthwhile show. Great to see something of such vibrant quality, which is away from the boring repetition.
Re: Cenci
Mon, 8 Sept 2003, 02:22 pmWalter Plinge
I think it's high time reviewers on this site started declaring their vested interests. People tend to rely on the reviews when deciding whether to see a show or not. I relied on the previous review of this show and went to see it on Saturday night, only later discovering the said reviewer's name in the program as a member of the Curtin Artist in Residence Committee. Probably didn't even pay for his ticket!
It is also quite confusing to outsiders to call yourself "Hayman Theatre at Curtin" and then to be putting on a show at Rechabites Hall in Northbridge. People often make their entertainment choices on the basis of location and there is a big difference between those two, not only in venue but also in price.
Having said that, I did enjoy the show. The energy level and pace was consistently high, especially for the last night of a student production. On the whole, I agree with the other reviewers about the acting, although one of the mains seemed a little too frantic to be engaging. The costumes were well-designed, as was the lighting and sound. Top marks however go to the set designer who must have agreed with me that if you can use the neo-gothic architecture of the Rechabites to your advantage, you don't need much else. Well done all!
Thou villainous milk-livered giglet!
It is also quite confusing to outsiders to call yourself "Hayman Theatre at Curtin" and then to be putting on a show at Rechabites Hall in Northbridge. People often make their entertainment choices on the basis of location and there is a big difference between those two, not only in venue but also in price.
Having said that, I did enjoy the show. The energy level and pace was consistently high, especially for the last night of a student production. On the whole, I agree with the other reviewers about the acting, although one of the mains seemed a little too frantic to be engaging. The costumes were well-designed, as was the lighting and sound. Top marks however go to the set designer who must have agreed with me that if you can use the neo-gothic architecture of the Rechabites to your advantage, you don't need much else. Well done all!
Thou villainous milk-livered giglet!