Oleanna *****

‘Oleanna’ by David Mamet, is the latest Happy Dagger Theatre production at the Blue Room in Northbridge and is playing each evening at 8 pm until 8^th September. The Monday show is at 6 pm and there are two matinees for this school ‘set’ book.

A university organisational behaviour (?) professor (Andrew Hale) has been rubbished most of his life but at long last is seeing his well-deserved dreams of job security and domestic bliss come to fruition. Whilst he is tying up his house purchase, a nervous young girl (Renee McIntosh) comes to his office to ask why, despite all of her studies, buying and reading the appropriate books, she has failed her exam. Practically in tears she explains the sacrifices, both financial and physical that she has had to suffer in order to get to university.

The professor starts to explain with his slightly arrogant and erudite approach, using language that leaves the poor girl even more confused than ever. ‘Why can’t you use normal words?’ asks the student, referring to the never ending flow of words with a dozen or more letters that he uses. It is obvious that they are on different intellectual and social levels.

An argument ensues and when reasoning fails, then the use of uncaring, power that comes with the position springs into action and the poor victim suffers mental degradation and fear. Reason and consideration are not words that the perpetrator wishes to discuss.

When a writer like Pinter says that this is masterpiece in writing ‘There can be no tougher or more unflinching play than Oleanna’ then one can expect the best. But will the cast be up to the script? I went to the first preview of this 80-minute show and was prepared to be forgiving, but with Marcelle Schmitz’s amazing direction and what has to be award winning performances by both actors, I left the theatre totally physically and mentally shattered. The complicated script must have been a nightmare to learn, but they fully enveloped themselves in their parts and the words flowed naturally and faultlessly.

I don’t know how the actors will manage a season of this tension and retain their sanity.

A couple of the audience gave a standing ovation and I am sure that the rest of us wished to join in but hadn’t the strength to get off our seats. There was the deafening silence that always follows powerful and emotional show like this.

Brian Woltjen used the Blue Room space lengthways, kept the set simple for less distraction, then used mirrors to show the actors expressions from all angles.
 
If ever a show deserved 6 stars out of 5 this is it. It will change your sleep pattern for days to come. Amazing!