As You Like It
Fri, 7 Jan 2005, 10:36 amWalter Plinge7 posts in thread
As You Like It
Fri, 7 Jan 2005, 10:36 amAttic Theatre Company
St George's College, Crawley
dir. Stephen Lee
Firstly, I will confess that some will think me biased as I have worked with the director several times before and, in fact, appeared in Attic Theatre's last production of The Christmas Carol. However, I believe that such good work as this deserves bigger audiences than it is getting and that I would like to encourage others to go along.
The venue is truly beautiful - something that I couldn't really appreciate as a performer, but as an audience member it was the best setting for Shakespeare that I have ever seen in Perth! Wonderful atmosphere!
Unlike some other outdoor venues, I was able to see and hear everything perfectly clearly (particularily useful when following Shakespeare!).
Stephen Lee uses the venue to its best advantage with actors entering from every direction, appearing out of turret windows, up trees and even jumping off high walls (hope they have insurance!)
The costumes, props and lighting were all perfect (except Celia's Little Bo Beep number which seemed out of period with the rest of the play).
Maybe its relevance escaped me?
The play is set in "an imaginary Australia" in modern times and works well.
Special mention must be given to the band of singers (Nicholas Cornish, Rebecca Mansfield, Danielle O'Malley and Ama Joan Quin) who entertained us before and throughout the show - its been a long time since I have heard such fabulous voices and harmonies in a theatrical performance! Listening to them alone is worth the ticket price.
The acting is generally of a high standard, but there were some knock-out performances for me. Firstly, Renato Fabretti as Orlando was outstanding. The minute he walks onstage one is struck with his presence, charisma and talent (it also helps that he is so bloody good looking!). I predict this young man has a very bright acting career ahead of him!
Fern Vallesi as Phebe and Scott Sheridan as Silvius were hilarious and slightly bizarre - I really enjoyed their performances and comic timing!
I think Scott is another young talent to watch out for and Fern is definitely an actress whose talent should be recognized far more than it is.
I also enjoyed Liam Ryan as Touchstone who is obviously a young man gifted with natural comic ability! (although I think he could afford to watch his diction at times.)
Shirley Van Sanden was wonderful both as the Joan Crawford like bitch, Duchess Frederick and as the gormless Audrey.
Graham Mitchell was charming as the evil brother Oliver who "comes good in the end".
The stand out scene for me was Jaques' (played by Dan Luxton) famous "seven ages of man" speech - the combination of Dan's wonderful rendition, Tom Rees' portrayal of the frail old faithful servant, Adam, at the point of starvation, the music and the ensemble acting brought me to tears (something I was not expecting in a comedy). I found it very moving and poignant - but this may only be appreciated by those of us going through "mid-life crisis"!
Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening and I feel as this play "tightens up" and the actors relax into their parts it will develop into one of the best Shakespearian productions this town has seen.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Angelique Malcolm
St George's College, Crawley
dir. Stephen Lee
Firstly, I will confess that some will think me biased as I have worked with the director several times before and, in fact, appeared in Attic Theatre's last production of The Christmas Carol. However, I believe that such good work as this deserves bigger audiences than it is getting and that I would like to encourage others to go along.
The venue is truly beautiful - something that I couldn't really appreciate as a performer, but as an audience member it was the best setting for Shakespeare that I have ever seen in Perth! Wonderful atmosphere!
Unlike some other outdoor venues, I was able to see and hear everything perfectly clearly (particularily useful when following Shakespeare!).
Stephen Lee uses the venue to its best advantage with actors entering from every direction, appearing out of turret windows, up trees and even jumping off high walls (hope they have insurance!)
The costumes, props and lighting were all perfect (except Celia's Little Bo Beep number which seemed out of period with the rest of the play).
Maybe its relevance escaped me?
The play is set in "an imaginary Australia" in modern times and works well.
Special mention must be given to the band of singers (Nicholas Cornish, Rebecca Mansfield, Danielle O'Malley and Ama Joan Quin) who entertained us before and throughout the show - its been a long time since I have heard such fabulous voices and harmonies in a theatrical performance! Listening to them alone is worth the ticket price.
The acting is generally of a high standard, but there were some knock-out performances for me. Firstly, Renato Fabretti as Orlando was outstanding. The minute he walks onstage one is struck with his presence, charisma and talent (it also helps that he is so bloody good looking!). I predict this young man has a very bright acting career ahead of him!
Fern Vallesi as Phebe and Scott Sheridan as Silvius were hilarious and slightly bizarre - I really enjoyed their performances and comic timing!
I think Scott is another young talent to watch out for and Fern is definitely an actress whose talent should be recognized far more than it is.
I also enjoyed Liam Ryan as Touchstone who is obviously a young man gifted with natural comic ability! (although I think he could afford to watch his diction at times.)
Shirley Van Sanden was wonderful both as the Joan Crawford like bitch, Duchess Frederick and as the gormless Audrey.
Graham Mitchell was charming as the evil brother Oliver who "comes good in the end".
The stand out scene for me was Jaques' (played by Dan Luxton) famous "seven ages of man" speech - the combination of Dan's wonderful rendition, Tom Rees' portrayal of the frail old faithful servant, Adam, at the point of starvation, the music and the ensemble acting brought me to tears (something I was not expecting in a comedy). I found it very moving and poignant - but this may only be appreciated by those of us going through "mid-life crisis"!
Overall, it was a very enjoyable evening and I feel as this play "tightens up" and the actors relax into their parts it will develop into one of the best Shakespearian productions this town has seen.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Angelique Malcolm
As You Like It: A Rambling Review
Sat, 22 Jan 2005, 01:39 amWalter Plinge
As You Like It: A Rambling Review by Alicia Smith
Well I'm going to stand by my earlier reviews of anything to do with Stephen Lee. Masterful and well worth the view. It was the last night tonight (Friday 21st of January) and what a performance we were treated to. Wow! Privilege to see.
Oh and to those people who were wondering about the species of owl that sat in view of the picnickers, (us amongst them) it was a Southern Boobook - the one that actually makes the 'mopoke' sound - not the frogmouths as most think. Ahem. Back to the review.
The setting was lovely, the audience convivial and the weather pleasant if a little coolish. Quite a big audience, all the seats were taken and a lot of the grass was too!
I've not seen this play before, but this production was really accessible, funny, fast paced and held my interest throughout this light hearted comedy. This is Shakespeare! No, really. But it's probably the one that's most understandable and watchable for anyone who hasn't seen one before. At least as directed by Stephen Lee with the assistance of Anna Bennetts.
Getting the down side over, the people behind us talked constantly throughout the production, darn it. That's my only complaint, people who seem to think that just because you're outside, it means you can talk. The actors have to deal with carrying their voices over wind, fireworks, traffic, airplanes and car alarms, you'd think people would have the courtesy to keep quiet. Sheesh! Just plain rude.
Nick Cornish, Rebecca Mansfield, Danielle O'Malley and Ama Joan Quin were very entertaining, lovely harmonies lilting us into the play and keeping us well entertained throughout. Really lovely voices. Good work folks! The music was really catchy too - if there's a cd coming out I'd be interested! Craig Williams did the original music, and it's great! CD! CD! Stephen announced the name of the band, but it escapes me, sorry.
I loved the costumes, they were really nicely designed, particularly the two bridal gowns at the end, very well taylored, and well suited to their wearers characters - well done Merri Ford for that. And the wrestling costume was a hoot. Touchstone was also spiffy!
The combination of nerd/shepherd for Silvius was very well done.
Super light and sound - can't be faulted, all on cue. All due to some hard thinking by Aaron Stirk and Alan Green and techied by Ben Russell and Daniel Allen. Went off without a hitch.
Stage wrangling was done, well, it was actually so well done that I didn't notice it happening! Now that's stage wrangling and it's due to the great management of Danielle Billings, Sarah McKellar, Michelle Nussey and Ben Russell again.
During the performance people were coming from everywhere, trees, walls, balconies, but never so fast that it was bewildering. A lot of fun and very dynamic.
Another really cool thing is the way Mr Lee blends the border between performance and audience. The picnic scene in the forest of Arden seemed a natural extension of the picnickers in the front row, it's a very powerful smearing of reality and fantasy. Very subtle this time, definitely a contrast to his unforgettable opening scene of The Taming of the Shrew.
The setting in contemporary Australia in a military dictatorship under the evil Duchess (played superbly and with just the right restraint by Shirley Van Sanden) was very cool. I appreciate the background and explanation that Stephen gives us in our programs, it's really helpful and puts the play in context. Very interesting too, and well written. (oo! colour this time, woo-hoo!) So in the end, Stephen has ended up a teacher! :-)
Energetic performances - memorable scenes: The Duke (the redoubtable Kim Marten very regally) in the forest and his court looking after with great tenderness and sympathy the old servant (Tom Rees who commanded our sympathy and respect for his character) and his master (Renato Fabretti, who's variety of passions, energy and expressions never wavered). "Awwww." we thought. "Awwww, that's really nice"
The evil Duchess stubbing out her cigarette "Then more villain you!" Owwww! (we next see her victim, Oliver (played with both villainy and empathy by Graham Mitchell), sporting an eyepatch)
Graham Mitchell and his use of puppets, to demonstrate a deadly fight - see snakes, lions, mortal peril and some superb whistling!
Oh! The wrestling match, complete with ring. Now, that was well done! Both the ring and the wrestle - Craig Edwards and Renato executing some smooth and dramatic moves!
A very unique 7 ages of man speech too! Touchstone was given a brilliant polish by Liam Ryan.
A very shocked hero recovering from his kiss from the moustachioed "Rosalind" (Lucy Waldron-Brown, playing capably, intellegently and with a flourish!)
Rosalind trying to variously help Corin (Kim Martin), the wonderful old shepherd put up a sign, and later, trying to open a bottle of beer.
Audrey (Shirley Van Sanden -this role could have been over acted, but Shirley played her with temperance and just the right amount of unselfconscious humour) and Touchstone...
Silvius (Scott Sheridan - the audience winced with him) and Phebe (Fern Vellesi, playing this suprisingly demanding role fine and fast...and then slow...and then fast again on her rollercoaster of her character's emotions.)
Look, it was all great, funny and smooth and really a huge and super job was done by everyone. All of you. If I haven't mentioned you by name it's because it's now 01:11 on Saturday morning. You all deserve a very big pat on the back. And standing ovations, and stuff.
I just hope Mr Lee looks after himself. He's set himself a lot of work to be doing, and I'd sure hate to see him burn himself out! Take care of yourself, we want to be watching Attic years and years from now.
I'm kicking myself for missing A Christmas Carol.
I must see The Real Inspector Hound now! Opens 3rd of February. Not much of a rest for the Attic Theatre cast and crew... Take it easy folks, you deserve it bigtime.
Thanks for a great evening out!
This review is also at
http://www.lympago.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b=playreview,m=1106329525,s=0
-leece
http://www.lympago.com/leece/leece.shtml
Thou infectious clay-brained wagtail!
Well I'm going to stand by my earlier reviews of anything to do with Stephen Lee. Masterful and well worth the view. It was the last night tonight (Friday 21st of January) and what a performance we were treated to. Wow! Privilege to see.
Oh and to those people who were wondering about the species of owl that sat in view of the picnickers, (us amongst them) it was a Southern Boobook - the one that actually makes the 'mopoke' sound - not the frogmouths as most think. Ahem. Back to the review.
The setting was lovely, the audience convivial and the weather pleasant if a little coolish. Quite a big audience, all the seats were taken and a lot of the grass was too!
I've not seen this play before, but this production was really accessible, funny, fast paced and held my interest throughout this light hearted comedy. This is Shakespeare! No, really. But it's probably the one that's most understandable and watchable for anyone who hasn't seen one before. At least as directed by Stephen Lee with the assistance of Anna Bennetts.
Getting the down side over, the people behind us talked constantly throughout the production, darn it. That's my only complaint, people who seem to think that just because you're outside, it means you can talk. The actors have to deal with carrying their voices over wind, fireworks, traffic, airplanes and car alarms, you'd think people would have the courtesy to keep quiet. Sheesh! Just plain rude.
Nick Cornish, Rebecca Mansfield, Danielle O'Malley and Ama Joan Quin were very entertaining, lovely harmonies lilting us into the play and keeping us well entertained throughout. Really lovely voices. Good work folks! The music was really catchy too - if there's a cd coming out I'd be interested! Craig Williams did the original music, and it's great! CD! CD! Stephen announced the name of the band, but it escapes me, sorry.
I loved the costumes, they were really nicely designed, particularly the two bridal gowns at the end, very well taylored, and well suited to their wearers characters - well done Merri Ford for that. And the wrestling costume was a hoot. Touchstone was also spiffy!
The combination of nerd/shepherd for Silvius was very well done.
Super light and sound - can't be faulted, all on cue. All due to some hard thinking by Aaron Stirk and Alan Green and techied by Ben Russell and Daniel Allen. Went off without a hitch.
Stage wrangling was done, well, it was actually so well done that I didn't notice it happening! Now that's stage wrangling and it's due to the great management of Danielle Billings, Sarah McKellar, Michelle Nussey and Ben Russell again.
During the performance people were coming from everywhere, trees, walls, balconies, but never so fast that it was bewildering. A lot of fun and very dynamic.
Another really cool thing is the way Mr Lee blends the border between performance and audience. The picnic scene in the forest of Arden seemed a natural extension of the picnickers in the front row, it's a very powerful smearing of reality and fantasy. Very subtle this time, definitely a contrast to his unforgettable opening scene of The Taming of the Shrew.
The setting in contemporary Australia in a military dictatorship under the evil Duchess (played superbly and with just the right restraint by Shirley Van Sanden) was very cool. I appreciate the background and explanation that Stephen gives us in our programs, it's really helpful and puts the play in context. Very interesting too, and well written. (oo! colour this time, woo-hoo!) So in the end, Stephen has ended up a teacher! :-)
Energetic performances - memorable scenes: The Duke (the redoubtable Kim Marten very regally) in the forest and his court looking after with great tenderness and sympathy the old servant (Tom Rees who commanded our sympathy and respect for his character) and his master (Renato Fabretti, who's variety of passions, energy and expressions never wavered). "Awwww." we thought. "Awwww, that's really nice"
The evil Duchess stubbing out her cigarette "Then more villain you!" Owwww! (we next see her victim, Oliver (played with both villainy and empathy by Graham Mitchell), sporting an eyepatch)
Graham Mitchell and his use of puppets, to demonstrate a deadly fight - see snakes, lions, mortal peril and some superb whistling!
Oh! The wrestling match, complete with ring. Now, that was well done! Both the ring and the wrestle - Craig Edwards and Renato executing some smooth and dramatic moves!
A very unique 7 ages of man speech too! Touchstone was given a brilliant polish by Liam Ryan.
A very shocked hero recovering from his kiss from the moustachioed "Rosalind" (Lucy Waldron-Brown, playing capably, intellegently and with a flourish!)
Rosalind trying to variously help Corin (Kim Martin), the wonderful old shepherd put up a sign, and later, trying to open a bottle of beer.
Audrey (Shirley Van Sanden -this role could have been over acted, but Shirley played her with temperance and just the right amount of unselfconscious humour) and Touchstone...
Silvius (Scott Sheridan - the audience winced with him) and Phebe (Fern Vellesi, playing this suprisingly demanding role fine and fast...and then slow...and then fast again on her rollercoaster of her character's emotions.)
Look, it was all great, funny and smooth and really a huge and super job was done by everyone. All of you. If I haven't mentioned you by name it's because it's now 01:11 on Saturday morning. You all deserve a very big pat on the back. And standing ovations, and stuff.
I just hope Mr Lee looks after himself. He's set himself a lot of work to be doing, and I'd sure hate to see him burn himself out! Take care of yourself, we want to be watching Attic years and years from now.
I'm kicking myself for missing A Christmas Carol.
I must see The Real Inspector Hound now! Opens 3rd of February. Not much of a rest for the Attic Theatre cast and crew... Take it easy folks, you deserve it bigtime.
Thanks for a great evening out!
This review is also at
http://www.lympago.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b=playreview,m=1106329525,s=0
-leece
http://www.lympago.com/leece/leece.shtml
Thou infectious clay-brained wagtail!