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
Sun, 19 Dec 2004, 12:58 pmWalter Plinge
After reading Junpier Berry's (is that your real name!?) review of Dust I felt compelled to add my own two cents worth. The great thing about theatre (and websites like this) is that people's work and ideas are open to debate. I respect your opinion of the play Juniper but I was a little saddened by the relentless negativity of your response (maybe the bleakness of Dust influenced your mood when writing it? I know I've been feeling pretty bleak since seeing it!).
I was so impressed to see a show at The Blue Room that was selling out regularly. In my experience of going to The Blue Room, I have never seen that before. It's always been a slightly disheartening experience that I seem to come on nights when I'm one of only a dozen or so people in the audience. Looking Glass should be commended on such a successful debut- both financially and in terms of getting people thinking and talking after the show. It was amazing to hear the discussions going on in the bar afterward. For a new theatre company, that's really impressive. I have no student theatre experience to qualify my comments but I was struck emotionally by the play (congratulations to all the actors involved for their superb efforts!) and by the ideas explored by Zac Gillam. It's really exciting to see so much new talent on display.
The upshot is that Looking Glass is fledgling and this has obviously been a huge learning curve for all the people involved. Rather than being put down, Looking Glass should be encouraged to continue to find new creative theatre for the people of Perth.
Well done to all involved- I look forward to seeing the next one!
I was so impressed to see a show at The Blue Room that was selling out regularly. In my experience of going to The Blue Room, I have never seen that before. It's always been a slightly disheartening experience that I seem to come on nights when I'm one of only a dozen or so people in the audience. Looking Glass should be commended on such a successful debut- both financially and in terms of getting people thinking and talking after the show. It was amazing to hear the discussions going on in the bar afterward. For a new theatre company, that's really impressive. I have no student theatre experience to qualify my comments but I was struck emotionally by the play (congratulations to all the actors involved for their superb efforts!) and by the ideas explored by Zac Gillam. It's really exciting to see so much new talent on display.
The upshot is that Looking Glass is fledgling and this has obviously been a huge learning curve for all the people involved. Rather than being put down, Looking Glass should be encouraged to continue to find new creative theatre for the people of Perth.
Well done to all involved- I look forward to seeing the next one!
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