A single act ****
Tue, 23 May 2006, 05:00 pmGordon the Optom1 post in thread
A single act ****
Tue, 23 May 2006, 05:00 pm‘A Single Act’ is the Australian Premiere of a play written by Jane Bodie and presented by the Melbourne Theatre Company. It is showing at the Beckett Theatre in the Malthouse complex in Melbourne. The extended season runs until the 10th June.
This is the story of the lives of two couples. The first is very happily married, but since the husband (Neil Pigot – best actor award 1998) experienced an unexplained trauma, their life together seems on the verge of falling apart. His wife (Anita Hegh – MDA, Wildside) tries all the wiles to try and win back his affections and release him from his conscience.
The other couple consists of a bipolar (?) husband (Travis McMahon – the film Kokoda) who one minute loves his wife and tries to please her, then next moment is extremely jealous so beats his pathetic partner (Tanya Burne – Halifax f.p., Blue Heelers).
The acting in this demanding play is outstanding, with four very complex characters being convincingly created. The versatile set (by Louise McCarthy) is probably one of the most innovative that I have seen in years, which combined with Ben Cobham’s intricate lighting is stunning.
My star rating would have been a little higher had the play been less convoluted. One couple’s experiences is shown approaching a specific date from the future, whilst the other from the past. This involves seeing the events of one story going backwards whilst the other is progressing normally. Even when they meet, the stories still continue to change time zones.
Many in the audience commented at the end of the production ‘is that it?’ or ‘What is the real ending?’ but with a little thought and a few hints from the programme the puzzle fits satisfactorily together.
The story manages to build up the suspense beautifully, and Julian Meyrick’s direction controls the complexities and characters skilfully.
An ingenious production, which well deserves its extended season.
This is the story of the lives of two couples. The first is very happily married, but since the husband (Neil Pigot – best actor award 1998) experienced an unexplained trauma, their life together seems on the verge of falling apart. His wife (Anita Hegh – MDA, Wildside) tries all the wiles to try and win back his affections and release him from his conscience.
The other couple consists of a bipolar (?) husband (Travis McMahon – the film Kokoda) who one minute loves his wife and tries to please her, then next moment is extremely jealous so beats his pathetic partner (Tanya Burne – Halifax f.p., Blue Heelers).
The acting in this demanding play is outstanding, with four very complex characters being convincingly created. The versatile set (by Louise McCarthy) is probably one of the most innovative that I have seen in years, which combined with Ben Cobham’s intricate lighting is stunning.
My star rating would have been a little higher had the play been less convoluted. One couple’s experiences is shown approaching a specific date from the future, whilst the other from the past. This involves seeing the events of one story going backwards whilst the other is progressing normally. Even when they meet, the stories still continue to change time zones.
Many in the audience commented at the end of the production ‘is that it?’ or ‘What is the real ending?’ but with a little thought and a few hints from the programme the puzzle fits satisfactorily together.
The story manages to build up the suspense beautifully, and Julian Meyrick’s direction controls the complexities and characters skilfully.
An ingenious production, which well deserves its extended season.