Adelaide Theatre Guide Review of SHORT THEATRE

Copied from the Adelaide Theatre Guide website

www.theatreguide.com.au

SHORT THEATRE

SA Writer's Theatre

Jah’z Restaurant Until 09 Sep 2006

Review by Laraine Ball

Take four South Australian writers, four short plays, one small intimate theatre space, some dedicated actors and you have a recipe for a very interesting night out.

Leaving by Shirley Burns tells of a woman trying to screw up her courage to leave her husband, she has made up her mind to do it….. hasn’t she? Director Tony Moore’s approach is sensitive and empathetic and Bridget Walters’s portrayal is breathtaking in its simplicity and courage. The emotions flow and we feel her character’s emotions and fear of the future. Blackouts are well used during this to denote the passing of time during which the character’s fears and indecision increase.

A Hard Dilemma written and directed by Wendy Danforth shows what can happen when a doctor takes revenge on an insensitive young man who has volunteered to take part in a medical experiment, with unfortunate results all round. This could be hilarious but instead is thoroughly overacted and hammed up to farce like proportions. Di Walton as Dr Sexton and Matt Stringer as the patient are both way over the top like they are set on high from the beginning leaving them nowhere to go except louder when they get upset. Nadia Fragnito as Bonnie is gorgeous but also a little loud and David Anderson is strong as Pierre and Butch. The blackout used here is very long and largely unnecessary, as the doctor scene could easily be played to one side.

Saturday Afternoon written by Ross Barrett and Directed by Tony Moore. The storyline here is not readily apparent but Paul is very stressed by something and in a very dark place, and it seems that Saturday afternoons create a hiatus where he cannot ignore it or cover it by working. His wife Sue is doing her best to help him but all her attempts appear to be in vain. Alan Hendry is wonderful as Paul. Here is a very emotive and perceptive portrayal of a man on the edge of reason. Joanna Webb is brilliant as Sue trying to cope with and be supportive to her husband.

Seconds Out by Tony Moore. This is a witty look at the usual family argument taken to new heights with a referee commentating and ringing in the rounds. Directed by Wendy Campbell this is an excellent piece. Oskar Pickler is marvellous as Ben the husband who has forgotten his wife’s birthday and Holly Sando as Jenny is delightful as she rips his arguments to shreds. But it is Bob Brady as the Referee/Commentator who shines through. His obvious enjoyment of the situation and the final summing up is very funny. The only let down for this one is Ben’s costume, he looks nothing a like a top executive in his tacky trackies.

Overall a varied and fascinating program, which just needs some audience added to bring it fulfilment.