Dust by Zac Gillam
Mon, 13 Dec 2004, 11:21 amWalter Plinge10 posts in thread
Dust by Zac Gillam
Mon, 13 Dec 2004, 11:21 amDust by Zac Gillam- at the Blue Room Wed-Sat this week.
Being familiar with Zac Gillams work from the 2002 comedy “The Phantum” I was warned that his newest theatrical offering “Dust” was something quite different.
Sure, Zac leaves the spoof genre for a futuristic family drama in which there are no singalongs or dance routines, but his characteristic wit and talent for social commentary carry this dystopic forecast of AustraliaÂ’s future.
From the plays outset the audience comes face to face with a world where water shortage is extreme, gas masks an essential item and society is highly monitored, from food consumption to reproductive practices.
While there are some inconsistencies in ZacÂ’s imagined future, the actors commit themselves totally to the obstacles this world provides; the leaking air vents, the drug culture and other consequences of societies disintegration.
What makes this production impressive is its comprehensive use of design and media. The set is solid, complete with vid-screen and working extractor fan (although the inclusion of a screen door in a world covered by dust was somewhat perplexing). The Blue RoomÂ’s intimate main stage is used effectively in creating the settings required by the script; from doctors office to brothel to drug den to school room.
Another innovative inclusion is the plays assortment of voiceovers, which punctuate the intense action with more mundane aspects of life in 2070 and give some indication of worlds prior destruction. Peter Holland and Steven Lee are (not surprisingly) fantastic news readers and Tilly OzdolayÂ’s Gary Cruise is 1080 6ix of the future!
Ashleigh Greig as usual delivers a high standard of work with his soundscape, which, coupled with Ichina SasamoriÂ’s emotive lighting design, adds sensitivity to some of the plays more poignant moments.
This is an engaging piece of theatre that responds effectively to the worldÂ’s current political climate. It also presents relationships that are not only believable in a futuristic Sydney setting; they could just as easily exist in the familiar surroundings of Perth 2004.
Disclaimer: Yes, I am closley associated with a number of people in this production, however I suspect that serves to make me more critical of their work.
Being familiar with Zac Gillams work from the 2002 comedy “The Phantum” I was warned that his newest theatrical offering “Dust” was something quite different.
Sure, Zac leaves the spoof genre for a futuristic family drama in which there are no singalongs or dance routines, but his characteristic wit and talent for social commentary carry this dystopic forecast of AustraliaÂ’s future.
From the plays outset the audience comes face to face with a world where water shortage is extreme, gas masks an essential item and society is highly monitored, from food consumption to reproductive practices.
While there are some inconsistencies in ZacÂ’s imagined future, the actors commit themselves totally to the obstacles this world provides; the leaking air vents, the drug culture and other consequences of societies disintegration.
What makes this production impressive is its comprehensive use of design and media. The set is solid, complete with vid-screen and working extractor fan (although the inclusion of a screen door in a world covered by dust was somewhat perplexing). The Blue RoomÂ’s intimate main stage is used effectively in creating the settings required by the script; from doctors office to brothel to drug den to school room.
Another innovative inclusion is the plays assortment of voiceovers, which punctuate the intense action with more mundane aspects of life in 2070 and give some indication of worlds prior destruction. Peter Holland and Steven Lee are (not surprisingly) fantastic news readers and Tilly OzdolayÂ’s Gary Cruise is 1080 6ix of the future!
Ashleigh Greig as usual delivers a high standard of work with his soundscape, which, coupled with Ichina SasamoriÂ’s emotive lighting design, adds sensitivity to some of the plays more poignant moments.
This is an engaging piece of theatre that responds effectively to the worldÂ’s current political climate. It also presents relationships that are not only believable in a futuristic Sydney setting; they could just as easily exist in the familiar surroundings of Perth 2004.
Disclaimer: Yes, I am closley associated with a number of people in this production, however I suspect that serves to make me more critical of their work.
Re: Dust by Zac Gillam
Thu, 16 Dec 2004, 12:18 pmWalter Plinge
Thanks for your review Cat. The show has been extremely sucessful, with sell-outs on several nights.
Here's the review from the West Australian:
By Pip Christmass
"Blue Room's latest production, Dust, is a family affair in more ways than one. Directed by Cliff Gillam and written by his son, Zac, this inaugural work by local company Looking Glass Productions is a futuristic family drama that explores the impact of global politics on the realm of the personal and domestic.
Thematically, this is by no means a new concept. But Dust's dystopian air will strike a chord with anyone disturbed by the idea of a global society dominated by Western superpowers, faceless corporations and post-9/11 terrorist mania.
Set in Sydney in 2070, Dust depicts a world whose geopolitical climate has been deeply affected by terrorist-era politics and ravaged by Middle Eastern wars.
Slowly, a post-nuclear toxic dust is infiltrating the Sydney home of Margaret (Jacq Fairfax) and David (Mark Blades), threatening the health of Margaret's unborn baby and setting a series of emotional crises in motion. David's father, Gareth (excellently portrayed by Tim Walker), has also come to stay, complicating an already tense situation.
David, a history teacher, likens George Bush's war on terror to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand that ignited World War I but for his students, September 11, 2001, is just a date in the history books.
Only one of David's students, the wayward but intelligent Mary (Alex Milne), seems to understand the links between a distant past, her suffocating present and an oppressive future.
As Gillam envisages it, Sydney in 2070 is not all that far removed from the current global situation, which is why this somewhat bleak look into the future seems so realistic.
David and Margaret's world is hamstrung by resource shortages, environmental pollution, robotic and impersonal corporate services and slightly insidious ultra-technology. Bioterrorist attacks are rife and bombs explode at random in train stations.
In other words, Dust explores the tensions created within a marriage marked by fear, not of what is inside the domestic realm but what lies outside it.
Gillam creates a slightly eerie, apocalyptic feel using limited props. A hissing video screen, mobile phone gadgetry, strong lighting, futuristic kitchen accoutrements and stark, modernist costuming effectively convey the feel of a society that, rather than reaping the benefits of technological progress and economic power, is simply struggling to survive each day.
I was struck by the quality of acting in Dust, especially Jacq Fairfax's edgy, fractious Margaret and Tim Walker's humorous, intelligent portrayal of Gareth.
What also interested me about this production was its combination of science-fiction elements with solid domestic drama. The unusual amalgamation of futuristic references (Orwell, Huxley and Mary's Clockwork Orange-like futurespeak) and 1960s style kitchen-sink drama make for an engaging and thought-provoking piece of theatre."
So, don't miss out!
On til Saturday 18th Dec, starting 8pm @ Blue Room. Tix $18 adult, $12 concession & $10 Blue Room members.
Bookings on 9227 7005.
Here's the review from the West Australian:
By Pip Christmass
"Blue Room's latest production, Dust, is a family affair in more ways than one. Directed by Cliff Gillam and written by his son, Zac, this inaugural work by local company Looking Glass Productions is a futuristic family drama that explores the impact of global politics on the realm of the personal and domestic.
Thematically, this is by no means a new concept. But Dust's dystopian air will strike a chord with anyone disturbed by the idea of a global society dominated by Western superpowers, faceless corporations and post-9/11 terrorist mania.
Set in Sydney in 2070, Dust depicts a world whose geopolitical climate has been deeply affected by terrorist-era politics and ravaged by Middle Eastern wars.
Slowly, a post-nuclear toxic dust is infiltrating the Sydney home of Margaret (Jacq Fairfax) and David (Mark Blades), threatening the health of Margaret's unborn baby and setting a series of emotional crises in motion. David's father, Gareth (excellently portrayed by Tim Walker), has also come to stay, complicating an already tense situation.
David, a history teacher, likens George Bush's war on terror to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand that ignited World War I but for his students, September 11, 2001, is just a date in the history books.
Only one of David's students, the wayward but intelligent Mary (Alex Milne), seems to understand the links between a distant past, her suffocating present and an oppressive future.
As Gillam envisages it, Sydney in 2070 is not all that far removed from the current global situation, which is why this somewhat bleak look into the future seems so realistic.
David and Margaret's world is hamstrung by resource shortages, environmental pollution, robotic and impersonal corporate services and slightly insidious ultra-technology. Bioterrorist attacks are rife and bombs explode at random in train stations.
In other words, Dust explores the tensions created within a marriage marked by fear, not of what is inside the domestic realm but what lies outside it.
Gillam creates a slightly eerie, apocalyptic feel using limited props. A hissing video screen, mobile phone gadgetry, strong lighting, futuristic kitchen accoutrements and stark, modernist costuming effectively convey the feel of a society that, rather than reaping the benefits of technological progress and economic power, is simply struggling to survive each day.
I was struck by the quality of acting in Dust, especially Jacq Fairfax's edgy, fractious Margaret and Tim Walker's humorous, intelligent portrayal of Gareth.
What also interested me about this production was its combination of science-fiction elements with solid domestic drama. The unusual amalgamation of futuristic references (Orwell, Huxley and Mary's Clockwork Orange-like futurespeak) and 1960s style kitchen-sink drama make for an engaging and thought-provoking piece of theatre."
So, don't miss out!
On til Saturday 18th Dec, starting 8pm @ Blue Room. Tix $18 adult, $12 concession & $10 Blue Room members.
Bookings on 9227 7005.
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