Cloudstreet ****

Cloudstreet is a very well known story, the ‘Under Milkwood’ of WA, so it was bound to be a big challenge for the director and cast to do it justice. I know some of your members don’t like reviews when the show has closed, but it seems a shame that such a brilliant play has been given no feedback on your site.

 

I won’t go into detail, but the whole cast worked together well, thanks to excellent directing by Jenny Davis; they kept the flow and interest up for the whole three hours. All the emotions were covered well.

 

The lighting was clever and effective, the costumes brought back memories of the era and the set, although simple was all that was required.

 

Congratulations must go to Claudio Girardi for his portrayal of Fish.

 

Please see Green Room section on Theatre.asn about the venue.

Just a quick note to clarify a small part of this review.... CLoudstreet isn't actually closed yet. It closes on the 12th... SO review away!

Does anyone know if any tis are still available? Any one that has seen the show whats it like? Comments?

As far as i know it has been sold out since before publicity even hit the streets, however there have been a small number of tickets held for general public for each performance that can be acquired at the door on the night of performance. This is a wonderful show and there are some outstanding performances not only from the leads but many of the smaller roles. A huge and very talented cast are involved. Definately some fine young actors to watch out for in the future. OMR ;-)

Hi all, There are a limited amount of tix available at the door each night. I can't tell you how many sorry - they are made up of any left over house tix and any that school groups hand back in on the night. If you go to Rechabites Hall before 6.15pm to be there when the doors open, you would have a chance of getting some. The show starts at 7pm. It's a great show! Cheers Leonie Debnam General Manager WA Youth Theatre Co

The three hour performance was well worth it. I saw it twice because that's just how much i loved it. Bravo to all the performers, especially to Alex Milne (who played oriel), you did a great job, and you're so hot! love you babe.

Cloudstreet is a story about two similar, relatively poverty-stricken families trying to cope with whatever means possible in order to live a full and happy life in the era of the 1960’s. The characters are encountered with such issues as: forgiveness of one another and self, the burdens and benefits of responsibility in the real world, the extent in which a person can accept; and not only finding family itself significant, but the gift of being in a family whom support and care for one another. The style of the play has been represented by Jenny Davis, director of this Cloudstreet stage play, as a celebration of post-war Australian suburbia by linking in many themes of sentimental value. Although this was apparent throughout the whole performance, Cloudstreet’s seemingly homely narrative contradicted itself when exuding themes portraying the relation of the social to the natural, the place of spirituality, the nature of family and sexual love, and reconciliation between white and black Australia. Hope you go see! Very good!

oh thanks. :) its a great play, we are having an absolute ball performing it. please come along. it is worth the line up. A very passionate cast and a wonderful script, what more could you want as both an actor and an audience. thanks, anonymous, whoever you are. Alex

oh thanks. :) its a great play, we are having an absolute ball performing it. please come along. it is worth the line up. A very passionate cast and a wonderful script, what more could you want as both an actor and an audience. thanks, anonymous, whoever you are. Alex

Lol and my friends and I are seeing it on the 12th! So any reviews from me wont be too helpful none the less if anyone is interested I will post one. They contribute to my Review's assessment so it will be written anyway. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Your website says that Cloudstreet is fully sold out!? http://www.wayouththeatre.org.au/nowshowing.html ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Review away. Its always nice as an actor to be able to read the reviews of the people who come to see the show.

i have seen the play and i loved it , i now have to wrie a review on it and i fear that there is not alot of information out ther to help me:(. i wuld say that Alex u were amazing and go Claudio! one day i hope to see u both on the big screen.

I turned up at 7-30 pm on 12 April. The doors were locked and there was a poster on display saying that it only ran to 8th April, so I went home disappointed. Ssstinger>>>

Will do my friend. . .It's on myto dolist after the easter break. . .I wrote a heap of notes after the show so hopefully it will be worth the read. . . Happy Easter everyone! ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

We were all inside and seated by then. . . although why it said April 8th i do not know? ~ Tari P.S. luv the pic! The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

I agree. your performance was amazing. One of my personal favourites from the cast. . . Congratulations on a wonderful performance ~ Tari P.S. Alex would u mind if i asked a few questions about the performance and the rehearsal process etc? it's for an assessment? The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Hey Guys, Just to Clarify the original run of the production ran from the 24th March through till the 8th of April, however because tickets sold out within a few weeks of opening we extended the run to finish on the 12th of April, actually we probably would have run for a few more weeks had Easter not been so inconveniently placed at the end of our run. None the less there is a good possibility that the show will be going up again with the majority of the original cast in late July, early August so if your keen to see the show i would suggest you get in touch with Leonie Debnam from the WAYTCo [WA Youth Theatre Company] and keep tabs on when tickets become available to the public. Big thanks for everyones positive comments they are all greatly appreciated and it would great if you can post your review Tari, its always useful as a performer to appreciate and grow from critical analysis. Many thanks once again, to those who saw the show thanks for your support and for those who didn't hopefully you will be able to experience this truly incredible production in July, you won't be dissapointed i guarentee. Take care Claude Girardi - Or rather Fish Lamb

Tari, sorry for the late reply. didnt read your post properly... post any questions away im sure between claude and i we can come up with an intellegent response. xx Alex

Hey Alex, Thanx for the help. . .There's jsut a few questions. . . 1. How did you go about creating your characters? How much did the book help you with this? How much research etc did your personal character devlopment involve? 2. Did you have any particular line learning process? 3. As a whole how did the cast work in the duration of the rehearsals and the performnces etc? How did other cast members interpretations influence your own character development? 4. What were your thoughts on the set and costume design? 5. Why did you choose to audition for that particular charcter? What was it about them that appealed to you? 6. . . .last one. . .Do yu have any comments on teh overall run of the show? positive or negative points? Thanx again. . . this is much appreciated. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

**WARNING IT IS A DETAILED AND LONG REVIEW WITH OVER 1000 WORDS** CLOUDSTREET Based on the novel by Tim Winton Rebecca Alosi 20/4/06 TITLE: “Cloudstreet” PLAYWRIGHT: Justin Monjo and Nick Enright DIRECTOR: Jenny Davis VENUE: Rechabites Hall DATE: 12th April 2006 THEATRE GROUP: WA Youth Theatre Company PERFORMERS: Alex McArthur . . . . . . . . . .Quick Lamb Claudio Girardi . . . . . . . . . Fish Lamb Alex Milne . . . . . . . . . . . Oriel Lamb Garreth Bradshaw . . . . . . . . Lester Lamb Seton Pollock . . . . . . . . . Sam Pickles Hannah Sutton . . . . . . . . .Dolly Pickles Amanda Woodhams . . . . . . . . Rose Pickles **For the rest of the cast list refer to the Program** PLOT LINE: Cloudstreet follows a year in the lives of two families, the Lambs and the Pickles and how moving to “Cloudstreet” beings about a year of troubles and fun to both families. The Pickles inherit Cloudstreet from a dead relative and Sam Pickles believes it is just the chance they’ve been needing, until he realises they aren’t allowed to sell it for twenty years. After losing his fingers on his right hand in a working accident, Sam Pickles has had nothing but bad luck from the “shifty shadow.“ The Pickles moves to Cloudstreet anyway and are soon after joined by the Lambs. The Lamb family have just suffered a “half miracle.” The favourite son, Fish Lamb nearly drowned and was bought back to life but Fish is not the same. He doesn’t recognise his mother Oriel and feels things and sees things the others don’t understand. The Lamb family moves from their home and rent out half of the Pickles house on Cloudstreet. The Lambs believe in hard work and soon open up a shop in the front of their part of the house. Throughout the play each character discovers things about themselves and each other by suffering great tragedy. With many subplots intertwining throughout the story to bring each character to the climax of their own personal tragedy to only bring about an understanding about each other and themselves in the end. COMMENTS: CHARACTERISATION: There were no tag-alongs in this production with every actor holding up their characters extremely well. It was exciting to watch each character fall into their own spirals of misery and then find their ways out again, whether it be through the help of other characters or on their own. I found of particular mention the characters of Fish Lamb, played by Claudio Girardi, who made for an excellent performance as the trouble and mentally ill Fish Lamb. His character taught much to his family and to the Pickles family, in particular to Rose Pickles. I admire his skill as a performer for the roll of a disabled person is always challenging to be able to get into that mindset to discover your character. Alex Milne’s portrayal of Oriel Lamb, is also worth a mention. Her portrayal of the confusion confronting her character was exquisitely executed and talking after the show discovered that my own mother related to the character a lot and could not believe it when I told her no one in the cast was aged over 24. This I believe is proof of the talent displayed by these performers. As I said before no one tagged along for this performance and every actor gave stunning performances helping to bring these characters to life and suck you into the lives of the Pickles and the Lambs. PRODUCTION DESIGN ELEMENTS: - STAGING: The set design was amazing. Rechabites Hall is not an easy venue to work in and the designers made good use of the stage and all it’s possible entrance points. The use of lines to represent each characters decent into their own troubles was well done. With the best example I believe being the fence. I noticed that as each individual character descended further into their own troubles they began to exit and enter through the more destroyed fences rather than the perfectly straight one at the front of the stage. Almost all of the set being used for multiple purposes and even as different locations. For example the “room” was used for several different sets including the room which the ghosts of Cloudstreet inhabited and also as Oriel’s tent. - COSTUME: The costumes were excellent and fitted the time period beautifully. I found it was through the costume more than say the set that the time period was established, of course the language used in thr performance also set up the time but the costuming had a strong impact on establishing the time period in which the play is set. The costumes also help to set up a characters particular personality and position within the society. For example Sam Pickles always wore a suit and bowler hat. The hat and the pin stripe suit automatically brings the thought of races to mind, and worked well for his characters personality. Also Rose Pickle’s change of costumes as she grew from girl into women and her quick leap between those stages was presented well by her costumes. She went from wearing similar clothing to the Lamb girls to dressing in suits and jackets like a working woman would have worn, yet she was the same age as the Lamb girls. The costumes also showed the contrast between the two families and their attitudes towards society and their own lives. - TECHNICAL: The sound and lighting elements were well used and helped to create a good atmosphere. The moment you walked into the theatre you were confronted with dim lights and the sounds of waves on the shore to hint at the opening of the performance. Throughout the play the use of sound effects was strong in establishing the location of the scene being performed because there were no set changes during the play. Of particular mention was the scene when Fish and Quick were out on the water, rowing the boat home and the water and the sky merge into one and Quick thinks they are flying through the stars. The lights were very dim, almost extinguished completely and the only real light came from the “stars” twinkling along the backdrop. And with Quick’s over voice speaking his thoughts to the audience showed I believe the peak experience of these two effects working together. EVALUATION: I recommend this show as a well cut and highly skilled performance of Tim Winton’s famous novel “Cloudstreet.” The show displays the exceptional talent the young performers of Perth have to offer with none of the cast over the age of twenty-four and each actor giving first-class performances. Although the season is over another season may be coming out again later this year with most of the original cast returning to pick up their characters. ****1/2 out of 5 stars from me! ~ Tari

To Claudio Girardi-or rather Fish (with a lisp) Lamb As an audience member I found your interpretation Of Fish unbelievably engaging. I felt somehow that your performance purged my emotions as an audience member after all the happenings of the other characters (lol greek tragedy?!)I really wondered after seeing Cloudstreet how as an actor you got into character, you would have had to have done a lot of preperation, somehow your performance reminded me of Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man?! You also had such stage presence, whether it was because your character was yelling half the time or just because you completely emersed yourself in the part. I think more the latter. Congrats on the effort!

Thankyou very much for you positive comments they are greatly appreciated!!! Fish was an incredibly intense character and i was originally very confused as to how to approach and more so perform such an intricate character. I researched [as much as possible] Fishes different dimensions and characteristics, from the obvious mental disability to his familial relationships, his spirituality, and his death as a celebration of life, there was a great deal of research involved to shape the character, ultimately with the research, improvisation, Tim Wintons phenomenal text and the strong performances from the actors who recreate the people in Fishes life, Fish as a character literally came to life. Plus, Fish is such a great character to play; it was so much fun to shift into this whole new world of Fish Lamb, which makes the characterisation so much easier. Big cheers once again and im glad you enjoyed the show!! Claude Girardi

This may be of little help now... but... 1. How did you go about creating your characters? How much did the book help you with this? How much research etc did your personal character devlopment involve? Read the book and studied the play in high school. they helped but there is a time when you have to put the text down and let the words and your own response guide the character... you cant rely on the text. there has to be more than that. 2. Did you have any particular line learning process? rehearse, rehearse, rehearse, on your feet with the other actor, its the only way that really works for me. 3. As a whole how did the cast work in the duration of the rehearsals and the performnces etc? How did other cast members interpretations influence your own character development? Cast worked really well together, we are all good friends and generally the environment was very professional. Other actors interpretation of my character didnt sway me too mcuh, but their interpretation of thier own character, often affected my character in ways i didnt expect from my characterisation. 4. What were your thoughts on the set and costume design? Wonderful. 5. Why did you choose to audition for that particular charcter? What was it about them that appealed to you? I didnt, I auditioned for a different character, and was landed with a challenge. 6. . . .last one. . .Do yu have any comments on teh overall run of the show? positive or negative points? All positive. Wonderful script, director, cast and crew. Very positive experience. Apologies for the late response.. damn life and its busy ways

Thanx for this Alex, It's actually not too late because the reviews ahve been extended so the final folio is due in about 8wks. . . ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Hi I saw this production of Cloudstreet on its opening night and would just like to say how much I loved it and was proud to be from Perth after seeing it. The acting was surperb and the backstage crew pulled everything off without a hitch. It's absolutely brilliant to see such talent emerging in Perth, well done to all involved.

Louise Cocks said... "The acting was surperb and the backstage crew pulled everything off without a hitch." Yeah great show. And even though there was definately a Hitch when i saw it, that only seemed to make it better in my opinion. eh! EH!? GEDDIT!!?? HAHAHAHA!!hahahaaaaaoooohhh whatevs...

one beautiful talented Hitch. :)

fish lamb. you are so beautiful. be mine?

For all of those who missed the original run of Cloudstreet, or loved the show so much you want to see it again, Cloudstreet will be returning for a short run of 12 performances only!!! Dates: 21,22,25,26,27,28,29 July 1,2,3,4,5 August Time: 7pm - 10.30pm Venue: Channel Nine Sound Studio, Gay St Dianella Price: $22.00 full / $17.00 Conc Tickets on sale NOW and selling FAST so be sure to email Leonie Debnam @ waytco@bigpond.com with your details, number of tickets required, at what price and for which night. A tax invoice will be sent to you.

Am contemplating seeing it again with new perspectives from lit and drama should be intersting. . .=D ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Its going to be a great new show. There are some cast changes... so itll be a whole new show. So if you have seen it come again! and if you havent dont miss out the second time!!

hey, i saw the amazing show with my school and i was wounderin who the set designer and costume designer were? they did a great job ans so did all those actors, Lu

Big thanks for the support, our incredible set design was by a WAAPA graduate called Claude Marcos and costumes by fellow thespian Maggie Anketell.

To Hannah In Cloudstreet your performance of dolly realy stood out. I was amazed at how engaging and suddenly serious the scene where you tell Rose about your childhood was. That one line "there we were" literally is imprinted on my mind. Very powerful stuff, hope you succeed as an actor (beyond that HBF ad). From Tim (you don't know me, I'm just an audience member in awe but I think you met one of my best friends Harry Winton) PS if anyone who knows Hannah, or know she's not a member here, please tell her, thanks

I feel alone in this but... I thought Cloudstreet was very disappointing. The performers were not convincing and really “over played” their parts, with the exception of the young man who played Lester. I did not believe the performances. Most of the actors really played the emotion which turned this brilliant script into a bit of a melodrama. It was quite a shame. The set design, however, was great.

It’s a shame that you didn’t enjoy the show, its a beautiful text and as I have found very personal to a number of people so people have a very high expectation of the show. I suppose because it is iconically West Australian and so much to do with everyday life that when people read it they are very captured by the text, it becomes very personal. I on the other hand found the performances to very good, and I found the actors really brought justice to this condensed version of the original epic piece. Congratulations to the cast and crew you all did a fantastic job and you should be very proud.

I saw the show last day of the first run and my review is above if u want my opinions and comments on the performance ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

well its only a matter of time and we will be doing it all over again. perhaps we can take your suggestions on board and develop the show further. its a fantastic cast who are dedicated and full of passion for the theatre and for the text

HEY HEY guys its Claude from all the way over in Singapore!!!! Wishing you guys the best of luck on the second run, YOUR GOING TO ROCK! and to have a blast! You might not have the Brass Monkey two seconds away from you in Dianella but the Dianella PUB will certainly entertaing you all! Join the bikies and betting / TAB fanatics for a few after each show! Take care, all the best and BREAK A LEG!!!! enjoy!!! Claude

Haya Claude Thanks for the confidence! We all miss ya but good to hear from ya and rock on in Singapore! Kel

Haya Claude Thanks for the confidence! We all miss ya but good to hear from ya and rock on in Singapore! Kel

Claudio! :D The show is looking great and we are ready to rock for opening night tomorrow night. No Dianella Pub i dont think cos everyone is driving this time cos its in the middle of no where. Though i think we have just started the late night Maccas tradition last night. its the only place open and warm when we get outta there Hope singapore is treating you well squishy Your Mother.

Hey there, Anyone seen the latest Cloudstreet??? Worth going along to see, what people think of it??? Whats with the way out location, why isn't it on at the recchabites again? Dan

Hi, my name is Sarah Young and I'm in the cast of the 2nd season of Cloudstreet. Nice to see people are still interested and being supportive. And thanks for traveling the distance to see it! - Sarah

Hi Dan, the new show is going along nicely, with just over a week of performances down, we have another week to go. So come along if you would like to see it! It is a relatively different show now and its worth it! We are situated at Channel nine this time around because the second run was not planned from the word go, and by the time that the response from the first run was so positive and it was decided to do a second run the rechabites was already booked. So we are trying somewhere new and different. Its an interesting space to work in, and adds a very different atmosphere to the show!

Hey you bottlers! I was just doing the old scan through theatre australia and saw that Cloudstreet was still getting posts! I hope you guys aren't too tired yet and have enough left in you for the last few shows! Wish I could have seen it, maybe you can send a recording! But from what I hear you guys are all doing a wicked job! Chookas babies! Love Bec Hitch

i didnt know there was a show of cloudstreet even runing???!! will it be performed at brisbane. Also, i read the play for school and loved it but why cant fish see oriel and why does oriel live in a tent. Why can they all see the blackman, yet he isnt real. please,explain thanx

hey I read and saw the play and I've also read the novel for lit. The script for the play cuts out alot of the novel so things might not be as clear. Oriel moves to the tent to escape the house. The house is portrayed as an actual character and is personified. It is often described as being " alive" and Fish often comments that the house is sad. This is due to events that happened in it. Oriel feels she needs to escape this, and also escape the fact she feels she is losing control of her life ( this is partly due to the fact that Fish doesn't recognise her). Fish can't see Oriel because she was the one who bought him back from the brink of death when he nearly drowned. He lost part of himself when this happened and throughout the text he oftens says he wants to " go to the water" . What he means is he wants to die so he can be complete again. Oriel was the one who stopped him from doing this and thats why he doesn't recognise her. The Black man is more a spiritual figure and representative of an feeling of tribualism within the text. The two families are portrayed as a tribe coming together so thats why they all see the black man. Thats what I got from it anyway, hope it helps !

Another inrepretation on the Fish and Oriel situation. Water - the River - if read with a Freudian reading is interpreted as the mothers womb so because Fish has been exposed to this and immersed in it - drowning - he comes back with no need for Oriel's attempted at maternal care. He already is embrassed by the mother - the river - hence why he wishes to return to the river. I don't know how much sense that makes you anyone but it's just an interpretation. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.